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Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] What's in the bottle?
Date: Friday, May 28, 2021 at 12:05:52 AM
Author: Eugene Ngai <eugene_ngai**At_Symbol_Here**COMCAST.NET> 		Next by Date:
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Chemical Safety headlines (16 articles)
Date: Fri, 28 May 2021 05:51:09 -0400
Author: Ralph Stuart

From: ALFRED BARKSDALE <adkb**At_Symbol_Here**COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] What's in the bottle?
Date: Fri, 28 May 2021 01:13:02 -0500
Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU>
Message-ID: 773923825.79047.1622182382302**At_Symbol_Here**connect.xfinity.com
In-Reply-To


First measure or have a certified lab measure open and closed cup flash points. This will give an indication of the flammability and hazards resulting from same. The two results can be very similar or, more importantly, very different. If similar, the material can probably be handled in a variety of ways to get it transported to a disposal site. Care is indicated but success is usual. If the closed cup flash point is more than 10 degrees lower than the open cup, you have a potential bomb. The material should be stored with no or loose cap in a well ventilated space at room or lower temperature. Those handling it should have face shields and prayer shawls that are also flame resistant.
 
I have been retired for nearly 10 years, but what can still keep me up at night is memory of opening a space to have that aroma come wafting out. Someone did not close the container. Someone did not open the window or otherwise ventilate. No indication on the door of enclosed space or other hazard.
 
Ah but, that's now the mission of you young'un, ja?
On 05/27/2021 2:06 PM Jennifer Gile <jen.gile**At_Symbol_Here**gmail.com> wrote:
 
 
Thank you Jason - this stepwise approach makes sense!
 
To all: yes, I'm planning to package these for waste.  I've already been through the easier wet techniques (pH, solubility, etc) I'm looking for hazard characteristics to pack these.
 
Ralph, unfortunately the containers aren't very telling.  The samples are in identical flint glass bottles that are purchased through VWR. 
 
Yaritza, I've mentioned this to the department chair.  ;) 
Jennifer.

On Thu, May 27, 2021 at 1:45 PM Jason Fritz < lokster.jf**At_Symbol_Here**gmail.com> wrote:
Hello Jennifer,
When attempting field identification of unknowns for purposes of RCRA hazard characterization, we typically relied on a combination of pH-testing with strips, FID/PID testing (for indication of ignitability, VOC presence), RAMAN and FTIR spectroscopy (e.g. https://www.thermofisher.com/order/catalog/product/GEMINI#/GEMINI) and a hazard characterization battery (e.g. HazCat  https://hazcat.com/), with field staff in appropriate PPE and with at least a 5-gas meter. Based upon field screening tests, we would perform laboratory confirmation analysis for those indicated RCRA characteristics (e.g. flash testing for ignitability, coupon tests for corrosivity, TCLP for toxicity, etc).
If the goal is appropriate disposal, it may be helpful to focus on characteristic testing vs. true identification of solution constituents.
I hope this is helpful,
Jason
 

On Thu, May 27, 2021 at 11:29 AM Jennifer Gile < jen.gile**At_Symbol_Here**gmail.com> wrote:
All,
 
Now that the strangest academic year in my experience has come to a close, I'm keeping busy doing a bit of housekeeping.  I found a box of bottles on a shelf last week, only to find the bottles in the box are all filled with research results. Few were labeled.
 
The faculty member that made these is no longer with the university and left some time ago.  They had a wide range of research interests (hormones to organometallics) which complicates matters.
 
My question for each of you today: how do you go about identifying unknowns? 
 
I'm working with folks on campus to see if there's any digital footprint of what these may be, in the meantime I would like to figure out what these are. Please save conversations of housekeeping, record keeping, and best practices for a different thread, with respect, that ship did sail. I think these are all very important topics; at the moment I'm interested in getting these bottles identified and packaged for disposal.
 
My thanks in advance!
Jennifer.
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