Can you provide a little more detail on the BF3 "explosions" I have purified and repackaged BF3 for over 30 years but have not heard of explosions
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU> On Behalf Of John Callen
Sent: Wednesday, October 21, 2020 4:40 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Glove Boxes and PPE
Steve and All,
Going back 50 years when I was a graduate student at the University of Illinois,Urbana - Champaign, the SOP for using a fixed or lab bench portable glove box was to always wear a lab coat and/or an apron with the appropriate glove and eye protection. Some of my research involved the use of reagents which were highly hygroscopic and required the use of an inert atmosphere. I wish that nitrile gloves had been invented in the 1970's instead of the 1990's since they allow for better manual dexterity.
I never witnessed but heard of glove box explosions involving Boron Trifluoride where graduate students did not wear lab coats and suffered serious burns. Lab coats or other protective clothing are part of PPE and should be worn.
I CC'ed Pete Reinhardt to give his perspective for academic labs.
3M Personal Safety Division - Retried
ACS/DCHAS Founding Member
I've been engaged in a good discussion about PPE requirements for working in glove boxes. Specifically, the debate is whether or not a lab coat should be worn while using a glove box. From an industry standpoint, a lab coat is a requirement; however, the general consensus in many academic labs is to not wear one.
I'm curious of everyone's else's thoughts on this subject.
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--- 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
