DCHAS-L Discussion List Archive
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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