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Date: Mon, 28 Dec 2009 21:25:16 +0000
Reply-To: jaytoigo3**At_Symbol_Here**gmail.com
Sender: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
From: jaytoigo3**At_Symbol_Here**GMAIL.COM
Subject: Re: Unknown Hazardous Chemical
In-Reply-To: <CC160F51E9D94049B3113403CF38FD4501987FB400**At_Symbol_Here**mex>
It sounds like you have eliminated some possibilities. If this were an unknown on a HAZMAT team call, I would use a portable Raman unit in conjunction with FT IR. These may help to identify the unknown, if nothing else, you should be able to determine the functional groups. perhaps you could interface with your local incident response team on a non-emergency basis that could be considered an unplanned training exercise, while allowing some face time with local resources.
Jay Toigo
Bucks County, PA
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-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Quinn
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 2009 10:24:25
To:
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Unknown Hazardous Chemical
My guess: a pesticide dissolved in a chlorinated solvent. Trichlorofluoromethane is a possibility for the solvent, boiling point is 24C and it is used as a solvent in pesticide formulations. If this is correct the solid residue remaining after the solvent evaporates would contain the active ingredient and an emulsifying agent.
Jim Quinn
Hazardous Waste Program Manager
Metro
600 NE Grand, Portland, OR 97232
503-797-1662, fax: 503-797-1795
jim.quinn**At_Symbol_Here**oregonmetro.gov
www.oregonmetro.gov
Metro | People places. Open spaces.
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of List Moderator
Sent: Monday, December 28, 2009 9:38 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Unknown Hazardous Chemical
From: Andrew Gross >
Date: December 28, 2009 12:02:48 PM EST
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Unknown Hazardous Chemical
Hi Everyone,
My lab recieved a sample from a power plant that they do not know what
it is and wish to have it identified. I am trying to ID it because
until I have a better idea it is on hold for all testing (read on to
find out why). I'm hoping for some thoughts.
Sample is liquid in appearance, but lighter then di-chloromethane. I
think it is actually an oil of some kind. It is transparant yellow
and some say it smells like kerosene.
It forms a white emulsion when mixed with water.
There is no flash point. On closed cup method it flames out below
25C. It does not ignite when exposed to direct flame. However it
boils around 27C.
Exposed flame turns green (like copper flame), vapors also turn flame green.
When dried, it turns to a waxy white translucent crystal. My closed
cup flame is still green meaning it is contaminated by the vapors.
Vapors in small quanteties (under hood) cause nausea, light headedness
and confusion.
pH is 6ish (litmus paper) although client claims it to be caustic.
All PCB analysis came up negative.
The exposure effects are why all tests are on hold till we have a
better idea as to what were dealing with as well as the remaining
tests for my department involve reacting with acid and pumping
nitrogen through it.
Thoughts, ideas, experiences? Client has 5 unidentified drums of this
stuff and has no idea what it is. We need to identify but I am not
going to put anyone in danger until I know more about it.
Andrew Gross
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