We had a researcher working with a pyrophoric material in nearly new glassware recently. As he removed it from a cold bath and it began to warm up as he walked it across the lab, he heard a tiny 'klink' sound and then noted a jet of flame shooting out from between his fingers. He placed it on the floor and backed away as the container cracked open and a pyrotechnic show ensued. He sustained minor burns to two fingers. The lab was protected because they immediately dumped dry sand over the reaction and bathed it in liquid nitrogen to slow the reaction down until it had reacted completely. The glassware had been inspected visually prior to the reaction. It was nearly new having been used only twice since purchase. They have since instituted a regular annealing process of all the glassware used in that particular process. All of that glassware is serialized and only used three times before it is replaced. It is cleaned individually so it doesn't bump into other glasswa!
re when being cleaned, and each piece is stored in a foam "nest" in a special drawer so that it doesn't bump into other glassware during storage.
-----Original Message-----
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU] On Behalf Of Stuart, Ralph
Sent: Thursday, September 03, 2015 7:25 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Glassware inspection guide?
> >Stuff that needs more careful attention is anything that will be subjected to vacuum or pressure.
Thanks for this information. The procedure I'm looking today at involves temperature considerations. Because the reaction in the glassware is significantly exothermic, so it will be contained in the ice bath. Are temperature stresses likely to be of concern for lab glassware without visible chips or cracks?
- Ralph
Ralph Stuart, CIH, CCHO
Chemical Hygiene Officer
Keene State College
ralph.stuart**At_Symbol_Here**keene.edu
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