Richard,

Originally we were using Sensafe Water-works test strips.  Although
designed for use with water they did give positive and negative results in
solvents.  It should probably be considered more of a qualitative than a
quantitative test.  I can say with certainty that when testing dozens of
bottles of diethyl ether and THF, the older bottles showed higher peroxide
levels than newer bottles, many of which gave no detectable reading.

I just recently received something called XploSens PS from a company
called Xplosafe via Sigma Aldrich.  Unfortunately the Sigma website was a
bit misleading as I was expecting quantitative strips.  These are purely a
qualitative strip.

If anyone on the board has any testing strip recommendations, then I am
all ears.

Regards,

Brandon Chance, M.S.

Safety and Environmental Compliance Manager
Office of Building Operations & HSSE
Texas A&M University at Qatar
brandon.chance**At_Symbol_Here**qatar.tamu.edu


PO Box 23874 | Doha, Qatar
TAMUQ Building Room 225E | Education City

(o) +974.4423.0495 | (m) +974.6668.3552 | SkypeIn USA 001.281.764.1776

www.qatar.tamu.edu

It’s Time For Texas A&M

On 10/28/11 10:40 PM, "Pumphrey, Richard"  wrote:

Brandon,
Can you tell me what test kit you use?  We have not been able to find a
reliable test for peroxides in solvents.
Thanks,
Richard Pumphrey
Northeastern University
Boston

----- Original Message -----
From: Chance, Brandon [mailto:brandon.chance**At_Symbol_Here**QATAR.TAMU.EDU]
Sent: Friday, October 28, 2011 03:22 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU 
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Peroxide Formers - Questions

Bill,

Due to our location, it takes 6 months or longer in many cases to order
and receive chemicals and shipping can be very expensive.  It is not
feasible to order a few bottles of ethyl ether or THF every month and we
must order in bulk quantities meaning that things are at least halfway
through their shelf life before we even receive them.  Because of this,
we have a program in place for peroxide monitoring.  In a nutshell, once
the expiration date is reached, the chemicals are tested every six months
for peroxide formation and the bottles are tagged showing testing and
results.  If it tests positive (I think the level we use is over 20ppm
but will have to reference my notes back at the office on Sunday), then
we handle the neutralization and disposal.  Due to our location, we are
not comfortable with the waste company handling compounds that test
positive, so we neutralize them ourselves before sending them off as
waste.

If there is something we can not handle; for example, the discovery of
ethers that expired in the early 90s, then we call out the military to
handle the retrieval and disposal.

I am not sure if this helps, but thought I would give you my two cents.

Regards,

Brandon Chance

Safety and Environmental Compliance Manager
Office of Building Operations & HSSE
Texas A&M University at Qatar
brandon.chance**At_Symbol_Here**qatar.tamu.edu

PO Box 23874 | Doha, Qatar
TAMUQ Building Room 225E | Education City

(o) +974.4423.0495 | (m) +974.6668.3552 | SkypeIn USA 001.281.764.1776

www.qatar.tamu.edu

It’s Time For Texas A&M
From:
>
Reply-To: DCHAS-L
>
Date: Fri, 28 Oct 2011 10:55:07 -0400
To: >
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Peroxide Formers - Questions
All

I would like to know how folks are handling peroxide formers.   Some
background on my program is that we have 2 lists.   Group A – we require
disposal after 3 months from opening (i.e. Sodium amide).  And Group B –
we require disposal 12 months after opening and 24 months after receipt
(whichever comes first) (i.e. ether, THF…etc.).

Specifically, I would like to know what folks do for the following:

1.      A researcher identifies a peroxide former is past the expiration
date.  What do they do?

a.       Call EHS

b.      Do you have date ranges that then trigger EHS.   For example, if
THF is 1 year past its required disposal date then do they call EHS.
But if the date is within 1 year past the disposal date then they follow
normal waste disposal guidelines.

2.      What are your timeframes for requiring folks to contact EHS?

a.      Group A

b.      Group B

3.       Do you have timeframes for when EHS would consider the material
a “High Hazard” and call in a High haz waste contractor?

4.      Or, do you rely on visual cues and knowledge of the specific
chemical.

Your feedback is appreciated.    Thanks

Bill Galdenzi

Environmental, Health, and Safety

Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals

(203) 778-7759

bill.galdenzi**At_Symbol_Here**boehringer-ingelheim.com

Click
here to see the EHS webpage

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