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Previous by Date: Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Pyrotechnics in the Teaching Lab Date: Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at 9:06:23 AM Author: Monona Rossol <0000030664c37427-dmarc-request**At_Symbol_Here**LISTS.PRINCETON.EDU> |
Next by Date: Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Pyrotechnics in the Teaching Lab Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2017 10:34:32 -0500 Author: Monona Rossol |
There was an incident at one of our institutions here last year - in some respects similar to the Texas Tech incident. I don't want to share details, but a small
quantity of flash powder detonated with a force strong enough to shatter one of those one inch thick phenolic laboratory benchtops and caused life-changing injury. Even if it were worth the logistical hassle, it is not worth the risk to staff and students,
in my opinion.
Bret Mayo
Associate Director of Environmental Health and Safety
NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
Office Phone: 701-231-6299
Cell Phone: 701-238-2720
Email Address: bret.mayo**At_Symbol_Here**ndsu.edu
https://www.ndsu.edu/police_safety/
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU]
On Behalf Of Melissa Anderson
Sent: Monday, January 23, 2017 7:18 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Pyrotechnics in the Teaching Lab
We're in the process of converting one of our introductory chemistry classes into a project-based curriculum. One of the ideas that's getting tossed around is a project built up around movie special effects, and the subject of pyrotechnics
and other fire effects came up.
One spirited discussion later, we (well, some of us) were left wondering about the safety and legal constrains of creating theatrical pyrotechnics as part of a chemistry lab project. In particular, I know that fireworks are 100% illegal
in our city, which seems to imply that anything involving flash powder-type reactions might not only be dangerous, but illegal. However, I'd like to bring more than my own initial bias to our next meeting.
I'd like to be able to bring some insights back to the group on:
1) What kind of evidence exists for or against the legality and safety of such a project? (i.e. laws, anecdotes, case studies, etc.)
2) Is this idea, overall, worth the logistical hassle?
3) Are there some particularly good alternatives that would have the same "wow" factor (i.e. allows students to experiment with variables and has a neat effect) but with decreased risk.
Any suggestions or insights would be most welcome!
Melissa Anderson
Chemistry Instructor
Pasadena City College
Pasadena, CA
--- This e-mail is from DCHAS-L, the e-mail list of the ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety. For more information about the list, contact the Divisional secretary at
secretary**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org
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