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Subject: Re: 2 RE: Safety contracts
Date: Wed, 5 Aug 2009 11:33:21 -0700
Author: Eric Clark 		Next by Date:
Subject: Re: 2 RE: Safety contracts
Date: Wed, 5 Aug 2009 16:54:24 -0400
Author: List Moderator


Date: Wed, 5 Aug 2009 14:58:57 -0400
Reply-To: Margaret Rakas <mrakas**At_Symbol_Here**SMITH.EDU>
Sender: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
From: Margaret Rakas <mrakas**At_Symbol_Here**SMITH.EDU>
Subject: Temperature Controlled Solids/Liquids--DOT, Safe Storage
In-Reply-To: <4A796E13.1C4E.0091.0**At_Symbol_Here**ph.lacounty.gov>
Hi,

I am hoping someone can point me to a handy-dandy reference/list/something 
that would help determine which materials typically used in organic 
synthesis and other chemical experiments require refrigeration or even 
freezing in order to be safely stored.  

This has arisen because some faculty are moving to a new building and of 
course, there is some confusion between those items that need to be stored 
at low temperatures for QUALITY reasons vs SAFETY as they inventory what 
moves and what would go out as hazwaste.  I thought perhaps DOT classificat
ion could be useful, but after spending about 20 minutes on the DOT hazmat 
info line, I only know that a "Self-reactive solid, type C" neither 
detonates nor deflagrates...the DOT definition of the other types did not 
seem that helpful for my purpose (unless I find I have some Type A, which 
means lots of problems!)

It would be really nice if the MSDS stated somewhere right upfront "Must 
be stored below X" but for AIBN, which is a Type C (DOT) and Type C, 
Temperature Controlled (IATA) when I looked through one reputable mfg's 
MSDS, I twice missed the info regarding safe storage temps and then had to 
call their Tech Service since their upper limit temperature had no units 
(40F vs 40C is potentially quite a difference, no?)

So if I could give some sort of guidelines to the folks who are trying to 
sort through this stuff...obviously I don't want something that can catch 
fire spontaneously (self heating solid, type?) sitting in my waste room, 
and since there are more than just a few containers in the freezers, it 
would be nice not to have to read MSDS's several times and probably still 
have to call...

Many thanks for any references/clarifications provided.  I know the DOT 
classification system for the Self-reactives and Self-heating materials 
rely heavily on an IATA "Orange book" of tests and classifications that is 
fairly difficult for the layman to get through, but if there's something 
in the transportation classification that can help me, and you're familiar 
with the definitions and can see how it would help, I would love to talk 
with you.

Margaret Rakas


Margaret A. Rakas, Ph.D.
Manager, Inventory & Regulatory Affairs
Clark Science Center
Smith College
Northampton, MA. 01063
p:  413-585-3877
f:   413-585-3786

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