Re: reagents
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From: | denise M m Long-Woodward <denisew2@juno.com> |
To: | s9803537@pop3.unsw.edu.au |
Reply-To: | |
Date: | Wed, 11 Aug 1999 15:34:47 +0000 |
Content-Type: | text/plain |
If you find dry picric acid, you should be evauating the building and
calling the nearest bomb squad. Under no circumstances would I even
attempt to touch the jar. Let the experts handle it.
D Woodward, Boston, MA
On Tue, 10 Aug 1999 11:11:20 +1000 "R.Wadley" <s9803537@pop3.unsw.edu.au>
writes:
> Dear All,
>
> Just a quick note about ancient (or more importantly dry)
> picric acid.
>
> I've worked in a couple of labs where I've come cross dry,
> solid picric
> acid, once in a large glass jar sealed with a cork!
>
> First Handle with Extreme Care: Do not touch or move the
> container until
> you have a bucket of water to place it into. Then wearing a face
> shield,
> heavy gloves (leather is good), & preferably a leather apron, GENTLY
> place
> the container into a bucket of water. It is also best to clear
> onlookers
> from the scene, incase you trip over one.
>
> I prefer to use distilled or deionised water so I can use
> the picric acid
> once its saturated.
>
> Leave it in the bucket at least 1-2 days before attempting
> to loosen the
> lid. Again use protective gear. Then fill with distilled or
> deioinised
> water. Leave for another day or 2 keeping the water topped up. The
> very
> gently agitate (by inversion is best) Your picric acid is now ready
> for use
> or disposal.
>
> I have had the experience where "professional hazardous
> waste folks" have
> refused to touch picric acid until the above steps have been taken.
>
> Never strike, drop, apply flame to or otherwise apply a
> kinetic ignition
> force to picric acid, it does make a big bang, in a glass jar it is
> a
> potential & potent hand grenade. Even the attempt to twist off a
> dry
> lid/cork/stopper can be sufficient to set this stuff off. Once in
> university (in the good old days) I left a prac with both hands
> completely
> yellow from picric acid, the only safety advice I got was not to
> clap my
> hands together! Years later I found out it is a neuro toxin.
>
> As an aside, picric acid was apparently very popular with
> the Navy during
> WW2 hostilities, it is a powerful propellant that will work when
> damp,
> unlike gun powder!
>
> Regards
>
> Rob W.
>
> At 04:23 PM 8/9/99 -0400, you wrote:
> >In general 8 years is not very long on the shelf for many of the
> dyes
> >you mention as long as they stay dry. I have been known to comb the
>
> >dustiest of shelves in search of Congo Red lots from the fifties
> (they
> >have a higer due content than anything you can buy now).
> Hematoxylin
> >will also last for just about ever. As for testing, chemical and
> >empirical tests for most common dyes are in "Conn's Biological
> >Stains'" If you run across a jar of picric acid that has been
> around
> >a long time, don't touch it, stop rummaging completely. Get some
> >professional hazardous waste folks to help you out.
>
> R. Wadley, B.App.Sc. M.L.S, Grad.Dip.Sc.MM
> Laboratory Manager
> Cellular Analysis Facility
> School of Microbiology & Immunology
> UNSW, New South Wales, Australia, 2052
> Ph (BH) +61 (2) 9385 3517
> Ph (AH) +61 (2) 9555 1239
> Fax +61 (2) 9385 1591
> E-mail r.wadley@unsw.edu.au
> www http://www.micro.unsw.edu.au/caf.html
>
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