DCHAS-L Discussion List Archive
Date: Tue, 3 Jun 2003 09:36:46 EDT
Reply-To: "Michael D. Cimis" <Michael.D.Cimis**At_Symbol_Here**DARTMOUTH.EDU>
Sender: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
From: "Michael D. Cimis" <Michael.D.Cimis**At_Symbol_Here**DARTMOUTH.EDU>
Subject: safety and nomenclature
Comments: To: heinz.h.trebitz**At_Symbol_Here**VALLEY.NET
Hello
This may not technically fall under the heading of nomenclature but I though I should share it. I recall a situation with a graduate student for whom english was a second language. This engineering graduate student went to the chemistry stock room to pick up some chemicals needed for an etching solution he had read about.
He wanted 70% nitric acid and glacial acetic acid. He and the stockroom attendant had some difficulty communicating and he ended up with 70% nitric and glycerol (sounds like "glacial"). He mixed these materials together and later that evening the resulting heat and pressure caused the container to rupture.
I have since added this tale to my curriculm for both graduate students and stockroom personnel.
Mike
----------------------------------------------------------
Michael D. Cimis
Chemical Hygiene Officer
Dartmouth College Office of Environmental Health and Safety
37 Dewey Field Road Suite 6216 room 120
Hanover, NH 07755
603-646-0235 (direct) 603-646-1762 (main office)
603-646-2622 (fax)
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~ehs/chemical.shtml
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