For what it's worth, meth cookers routinely buy "heat" (engine starter) as a solvent. It usually contains diethyl ether, which make it a good starter fluid because of its high VP. You could try to get a MSDS from Humco. Mark Cameron, MS, CIH Sr. Industrial Hygienist Health and Safety Program Manager California Criminalistics Institute Bureau of Forensic Services (916) 227-5956 >>> "Yarrow, Gary"1/29/2010 12:31 PM >>> Must be Friday afternoon....I still use it in my snow blower (as an aerosol). Ether in the glove compartment brings back memories of "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" by Hunter Thompson......"never trust a man in the midst of an ether binge!"...those that have read it will understand. I remember the blue flames also, but coming out of a 1970 or so VW Bug! Lost my facial hair (including eyebrows) once there! Gary Dr. Gary L. Yarrow, Director Environmental Health & Safety Shepard Hall 059; Bldg 2202 South Dakota State University Brookings, SD 5700-7-0896 605-688-6332 From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of William Hirzy Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 12:49 PM To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Ether - Motor Priming Grade Back in the day, when I worked in the lab and had access and drove a 1959 Volvo in the frigid midwestern winter, parking on the street, I would take the battery out, bring it inside to keep warm for the next morning, then re-install it, pour about 10 mL of diethyl ether onto the strangely vertical carbeurator air filter, and that baby fired right up every day--no problem........Then one night a cop stopped me because I had a tail light out, some heavy anti-war literature stuck all over the trunk, and quite a pony-tail and full beard. He looked at me, and then into the glove compartment where I kept the ether (didn't want it in the apartment) and almost busted me for having it. After I explained it, he relaxed, but still gave me a ticket for the tail light................Petroleum ether might have worked as well, but, but that diethyl variety sure did the trick! J. William Hirzy, Ph.D. Chemist In Residence Phone: 202-885-1780 WronaT**At_Symbol_Here**USA.REDCROSS.ORG Sent by: DCHAS-L Discussion List 01/29/2010 12:15 PM Please respond to DCHAS-L Discussion List To DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU cc Subject Re: [DCHAS-L] Ether - Motor Priming Grade Jerilyn, My experience with "ether" used for motor starting (AKA starting fluid) is usually a composition of petroleum "ether" which is typically but not necessarily an ether as we chemists know it, but is really a composition of short chain aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons. This material is typically used in starting diesel engines that lack glow plugs in cold climates. Thomas Wrona Equipment Systems Manager Radiation and Chemical Safety Officer Southeastern Michigan Location Ohio Michigan Division Office Phone: 313 494-2894 Facsimile: 313 833-2799 -----Original Message----- From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of Roberts, Jerilyn C. Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2010 5:39 PM To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU Subject: [DCHAS-L] Ether - Motor Priming Grade Does anyone have any information on Humco Laboratories Ether Motor Priming Grade? We are working on moving to a new building and it was found in a cabinet. All it says is "ether", but I am not familiar with motor priming grade. I am treating with extreme caution. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Jerilyn Roberts Environmental Health and Safety Director South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 501 East St. Joseph Street Rapid City, SD 57701-3995 605 394-6729 605 394-6131 FAX Jerilyn.Roberts**At_Symbol_Here**sdsmt.edu CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This communication with its contents may contain confidential and/or legally privileged information. It is solely for the use of the intended recipient(s). Unauthorized interception, review, use or disclosure is prohibited and may violate applicable laws including the Electronic Communications Privacy Act. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and destroy all copies of the communication.
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