Date: Tue, 8 Dec 2009 15:45:24 -0800
Reply-To: neal**At_Symbol_Here**chemical-safety.com
Sender: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
From: NEAL LANGERMAN <neal**At_Symbol_Here**CHEMICAL-SAFETY.COM>
Organization: ADVANCED CHEMICAL SAFETY
Subject: Re: UCLA Pyrophorics Video
In-Reply-To: <F1C8440381C2A945824AD871CE314CB304105EBA**At_Symbol_Here**PHXEXCMB-PN01.ecorp.egn>

All 

As I said previously, we will be showing the UCSD-produced video on this
topic at the SF ACS meeting in March.  In addition, another speaker 
plans to
show the UCLA-produced video and provide a commentary on the practices
suggested.
That should prove to be a very provocative and interesting session - I
expect that paper alone will be reason to attend the entire meeting.

Hope to see you all there ... and sign up for a division workshop - at
www.dchas.org

We are offering all five workshops:
Lab Safety
Lab Waste
How to be a more effective CHO
Handling reactives in labs and pilot plants
OSHA HAZWOPER Annual Refresher

nl

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
--------
The information contained in this message is privileged and confidential 
and
protected from disclosure. If the reader of this message is not the 
intended
recipient, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this 
message
to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any 
dissemination,
distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If 
you
have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately 
by
replying to the message and deleting it from your computer. 
=A0
NEAL LANGERMAN
ADVANCED CHEMICAL SAFETY, Inc.
7563 CONVOY Ct
SAN DIEGO CA 92111
(858) 874 5577 (phone, 24/7)
(858) 874 8239 (FAX)
www.chemical-safety.com

-----Original Message-----
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of
Latimer, Lee
Sent: Tuesday, December 08, 2009 11:36 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] UCLA Pyrophorics Video

Having spent decades working with organolithium and related reagents, I
found the video quite good for the discussion of the transfer of
solutions of pyrophorics, with a couple of comments.  Hopefully someone
is considering as similar training video for the transfer of pyrophorics
metals and phosphorus.

My comments on this video cover a few items not already mentioned well
in this forum.  I particularly do not like the use of needles as the
supply of inert gas in the receiving flask as they are rarely new and
get plugged by the septa.  Better is to use a classic gas inlet tube
which can provide for larger flows of gas in or out, in this case
through the top of the condenser.

When engaged in the syringe transfer, the gas blanket is a good
recommendation.  So too is the use of an inline Luer-locked valve
available from supply houses in metal or plastic which will prevent
accidental dispensing/leaking of the liquid by unintended pressure on
the syringe.

I also noted that at the end of use the bottle was not sealed with a
Parafilm wrap over the septum or after the cap was replaced.

I agree with those with concern about the gloves.  I recommend ones that
are slightly thicker than the exam glove style and which extend farther
up the arm ("flight style") closing the open space to the lab coat.  We
have tried to find fire resistant lab coats with a wrist closing style
without success.  The same is true for lab coats that close higher.

I note that while the face shield was shown in one brief scene, Dustin
did not use it.  Further, the style of glasses he is wearing leave wide
gaps due to a mismatch to his face.  Many individuals, indeed races,
have face shapes which call for a survey of styles to find ones that
provide both close fit and comfort.  Fortunately, the range of styles
available both for single or over-prescription glasses are substantial.

Many thanks to the UCLA faculty for their efforts to get this made and
distributed.

Lee Latimer

-----Original Message-----
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of
Dr. Jay A. Young
Sent: Saturday, December 05, 2009 1:45 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] UCLA Pyrophorics Video

David,

You are 1000% correct in your description of MSDSs--they are not
reliable. 
As you have said, there is no requirement that they tell the truth, the 
whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

However, some suppliers in fact do have reliable MSDSs.  DuPont comes to

mind as an outstanding example.  Ashland Chemical is another.

Jay Young

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David C. Finster" 
To: 
Sent: Friday, December 04, 2009 8:47 PM
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] UCLA Pyrophorics Video

> Excellent video, in many regards... BUT
>
> I strongly oppose the notion that the safety glasses that Dustin is 
> wearing constitute adequate eye protection in this or any other lab 
> circumstance where there is a splash hazard.   This egregious error
seems 
> the like most common mistake that is seen in photographs of chemists
in 
> labs, even in C&ENEws.  Arrgh.  (To the video's credit, Dustin puts on
a 
> face shield when working with the pyrophoric.  I'm still troubled by
the 
> implication, at least, that safety glasses are adequate eye
protection. 
> Not in my labs.)
>
> And, I advise against using MSDSs as the primary source of any
information 
> related to safe use of chemicals.  These documents are not required to
be 
> correct, and some studies have shown that they are, in fact,
occasionally 
> incorrect.  Even when factually correct, they are not always useful.
For 
> example, the statement, "Dispose of chemical properly according to
state 
> and federal regulations" is correct, but not helpful.  Further, since
they 
> are sometimes (often?) written by computer programs rather than
humans, we 
> find not-very-helpful suggestions such as "immediately flush with
potable 
> water for 15 minutes and seek assistance from MD" when buffered saline

> gets in your eyes, or storing distilled water in a "tightly closed 
> container."  I have become wary of using them, ever.
>
> Dave
>
> David C. Finster
> Professor of Chemistry
> University Chemical Hygiene Officer
> Department of Chemistry
> Wittenberg University
> dfinster**At_Symbol_Here**wittenberg.edu
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU] On Behalf
Of 
> Erik A. Talley
> Sent: Friday, December 04, 2009 11:41 AM
> To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
> Subject: [DCHAS-L] UCLA Pyrophorics Video
>
> The UCLA EHS Department has created a pyrophorics safety video that is
> available on YouTube:
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaMXwNBAbxc
>
> Regards,
>
> Erik
>
>
> ___________________________________
> Erik A. Talley, Director
> Environmental Health and Safety
> Weill Cornell Medical College
> Cornell University
> 402 East 67th Street, Room LA-0020
> New York, NY 10065
>
> 646-962-7233
> ert2002**At_Symbol_Here**med.cornell.edu
> http://weill.cornell.edu/ehs  

********************************************************
This communication and any files transmitted with it
may contain information that is confidential, privileged
and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. It is
intended solely for the use of the individual or entity
to which it is addressed. If you are not the intended
recipient, you are hereby notified that any use,
dissemination or copying of this communication is
strictly prohibited. If you have received this
communication in error, please notify the sender.
Thank you for your co-operation.
********************************************************

Previous post   |  Top of Page   |   Next post



The content of this page reflects the personal opinion(s) of the author(s) only, not the American Chemical Society, ILPI, Safety Emporium, or any other party. Use of any information on this page is at the reader's own risk. Unauthorized reproduction of these materials is prohibited. Send questions/comments about the archive to secretary@dchas.org.
The maintenance and hosting of the DCHAS-L archive is provided through the generous support of Safety Emporium.