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Subject: Re: Unknown Hazardous Chemical
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 2009 21:25:16 +0000
Author: jaytoigo3**At_Symbol_Here**GMAIL.COM 		Next by Date:
Subject: Senior IH position at UMDNJ New Brunswick, NJ Campus
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:16:53 -0500
Author: Lindsey Kayman


Date: Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:31:17 -0500
Reply-To: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
Sender: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
From: "Samuella B. Sigmann" <sigmannsb**At_Symbol_Here**APPSTATE.EDU>
Subject: Re: Unknown Hazardous Chemical
In-Reply-To: <B6B5C68D-2380-445E-94AA-2587494A37DE**At_Symbol_Here**uvm.edu>

Whoops - That should be kerosene "scent" not "sent!
Sammye

List Moderator wrote:

From: Andrew Gross <gross.drew**At_Symbol_Here**gmail.com>
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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