From: David Roberts <droberts**At_Symbol_Here**DEPAUW.EDU>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Knoxville Fire Dept warns of public distribution of 'dangerous' chemical this week
Date: Thu, 10 Sep 2020 09:29:50 -0400
Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU>
Message-ID: A16D8F64-2A64-4C26-87F1-91FA695EF9A8**At_Symbol_Here**depauw.edu
In-Reply-To


So I have 50% in my storeroom often.  I oscillate between buying 30% and 50%.  All of it gets diluted, we never use it at that concentration, but purchasing for me typically just depends on cost and availability.  We buy small volumes (not 24 gallon jugs) and use it up quickly.  Hair salons have 30% at least, in large volumes (not 54 gallons, but I assume a lot, depending on their size).


I imagine that Tennessee will now be covered in Elephant Toothpaste, as that's the most common use of conc. H2O2 for most people ;)  

I also figure that many will get some on their hand when they open the lid (hard not to) and it will hurt but if they wash quickly it's not a huge deal (speaking from experience here).  But if they get it on their hand I am guessing it will freak them out enough to get them to turn it back in.

That's a crazy mistake.  I can't imagine how such a thing could happen.  Doesn't make any sense to me.

Dave


On Sep 10, 2020, at 8:52 AM, Jeffrey Lewin <jclewin**At_Symbol_Here**MTU.EDU> wrote:

Ralph,

Since the highest I've seen go through our Chemical Stores is 30% I had to look at Fisher to see if 50% is even readily available (it is at ca $68/bottle).  But, one also wonders if this is a mislabeled bottle (more likely 5.0%?).

As an example of mixed up labels, someone forwarded me nice labels they were making for their spray bottles (secondary containers).  They dutifully listed the exact concentration from the primary containers (5% H2O2).  The only problem is that the primary container was the concentrate, not Ready To Use (RTU).  So the question was, are they putting the original concentrate in the sprayer, or are they putting the diluted solution, but writing the wrong concentration on the label?  Or, were they just putting the decimal in the wrong place?

Jeff



On Thu, Sep 10, 2020 at 8:00 AM DCHAS Membership Chair <membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org> wrote:
This showed up in today's headlines and seems like it might be immediately useful to DCHAS-L readers. I don't know if this is strictly a local error or more systemic, but having 50% H2O2 on the loose seems like something we should be aware of...

- Ralph

https://www.wbir.com/article/news/local/kfd-warns-of-public-distribution-of-dangerous-chemical-this-week/51-57138027-d5d1-45e8-bad3-5124f10e0bb7

KFD warns of public distribution of 'dangerous' chemical this week

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee - The Knoxville Fire Department is warning about the inadvertent distribution of a dangerous chemical to the public that's not safe for households.

According to KFD, "multiple visitors" to the Fish Hospitality Pantry at 122 W. Scott Ave., in Northwest Knoxville picked up Tuesday one-gallon jugs of a hydrogen peroxide mix.

"The liquid mixture contains 50% hydrogen peroxide and is not intended for household or community use. The highly concentrated oxidizer poses a significant risk of first- and second-degree burns upon contact with skin," KFD said in a Wednesday release.

It appears 54 jugs went out and probably have ended up in the homes and vehicles of members of the public.

---
For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org
Follow us on Twitter **At_Symbol_Here**acsdchas


--
Jeff Lewin
Director of Chemical Laboratory Operations
Research Integrity Office
Laboratory Operations
205 Lakeshore Center 
Michigan Technological University

--- For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org Follow us on Twitter **At_Symbol_Here**acsdchas

Previous post   |  Top of Page   |   Next post



The content of this page reflects the personal opinion(s) of the author(s) only, not the American Chemical Society, ILPI, Safety Emporium, or any other party. Use of any information on this page is at the reader's own risk. Unauthorized reproduction of these materials is prohibited. Send questions/comments about the archive to secretary@dchas.org.
The maintenance and hosting of the DCHAS-L archive is provided through the generous support of Safety Emporium.