From: Jeffrey Lewin <jclewin**At_Symbol_Here**MTU.EDU>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] [External] Re: [DCHAS-L] [External] [DCHAS-L] Cleaning biological storage coolers?
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 2020 13:52:47 -0500
Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU>
Message-ID: CAEwQnqjO886+ppK4uBe22JATu1s9w7=MS9q5ytCWDNbcnbuEVQ**At_Symbol_Here**mail.gmail.com
In-Reply-To


My preference is also to start with water and detergent (Dawn first, Alconox if needing something heavier duty). Soaking and green scrubbies can be helpful as well.

Of course, if moving up to flammable solvents be sure to eliminate ignition sources (including work lights, shop vacs, fans for providing fresh air, etc.). Also, pay attention to someone bending over with their head in the cooler where fumes/vapors might accumulate...I'd recommend this be a two person job (buddy system).

Personally, when done, I'd wipe it down with a weak bleach solution for good measure.

Good luck,
Jeff


On Mon, Dec 14, 2020 at 1:30 PM Monique Wilhelm <mwilhelm**At_Symbol_Here**umich.edu> wrote:
Using soap and water to get the majority of it up is preferred. However, if it is gummy, you may have some polymerization products of those preservatives that may cause you to move on up to less polar solvents, such as alcohols, acetone, hexane, etc.
_________________________________________________________
Monique Wilhelm
Lab Manager
CAS, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry | The University of Michigan-Flint
303 E. Kearsley St | Room 572 MSB | Flint, MI | 48502-1950


On Mon, Dec 14, 2020 at 1:03 PM Stuart, Ralph <Ralph.Stuart**At_Symbol_Here**keene.edu> wrote:
> >Regarding the smell, I'm wondering if the smell has something to do with the preservation steps.

I suspect that it's more related to the age of the materials; some of the samples are 20 years old. Faculty retirements have a tendency let to leave a lot of icky waste in their wake...

- Ralph

Ralph Stuart, CIH, CCHO
Environmental Safety Manager
Keene State College
603 358-2859

ralph.stuart**At_Symbol_Here**keene.edu

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

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