I second Tilak's call on the Schlenk line/vac pump as a likely culprit.
Especially vulnerable to absorbing material are the rubber vacuum hoses
used directly with the material's container.  Closing off the open ends
of the Schlenk line hoses after use may help a lot.

It's a good day when I hear conversation about Schlenk lines!  :-)

Barry Ferm

CHO, Lab Coordinator
St. Ambrose Unversity
Davenport, IA

-----Original Message-----
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU] On Behalf
Of CHANDRA, Tilak
Sent: Wednesday, December 07, 2011 8:36 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Isovaleryl chloride odor control

Hi Ralph:

May be researcher bumped some of isovaleryl chloride in the Schlenk
line.
During the manipulation sometime there is tendency of bumping the
reagent into line (glass manifold, tube, pump, etc.) if not handled
properly. Also, if the cooling system for the traps is not efficient
then it can go into the vacuum pump. If the pump is not vented to the
fume hood, it will give smell for an extended period.  In this case the
Schlenk line was at lower bench, outside of the fume hood. The boiling
point of isovaleryl chloride is 115-117 oC and it has strong smell.

Regards,

Tilak

Tilak Chandra, Ph.D.
Chemical Safety Specialist
Environment, Health and Safety
University of Wisconsin-Madison
30 East Campus Mall
Madison, WI 53715
Ph. 608-890-0255
FAX 608-262-6767
tchandra**At_Symbol_Here**fpm.wisc.edu

-----Original Message-----
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU] On Behalf
Of Ralph B Stuart
Sent: Wednesday, December 07, 2011 7:13 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Isovaleryl chloride odor control

I'm investigating a situation in which someone was working with
isovaleryl chloride which led to an odor release that lasted for a week.
After the material was extracted from the stock container with a syringe
in a hood, it was used in a Schlenk line outside the hood. Preliminary
examination of the hood with dry ice indicates that it's maintaining
containment. The lab's general ventilation rate is high, as there are 10
feet of hood space in 700 square feet of floor space.

I wonder if anyone has experience with a similar situation that could
help explain there the odor came from and why lasted so long?

Thanks for any information about this.

- Ralph

Ralph Stuart CIH
Laboratory Ventilation Specialist
Department of Environmental Health and Safety Cornell University

rstuart**At_Symbol_Here**cornell.edu

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