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Subject: vacuum line contamination?
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:47:52 -0700
Author: "Debbie M. Decker" 		Next by Date:
Subject: Re: The Lab PPE Excuse List
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:18:25 -0400
Author: McGrath Edward J


Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:24:52 -0400
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: "Vidra, Ronald S" <RSVIDRA**At_Symbol_Here**TYCOELECTRONICS.COM>
Subject: Re: Laboratory medical oversight
In-Reply-To: <83F54EF5-1C75-4196-8BEC-B857DEF55FD3**At_Symbol_Here**uvm.edu>

Just a comment on the waste HF.  Whether you have this or waste ammonium bi
fluoride (NH4FHF), use simple lime slurry (CaO + H2O = Ca(OH)2)to neutral
ize the acid and to form CaF2 and H2O.  Small amounts of the ammonium compo
unds can be released to the sewer system.  Can use pH paper to obtain a pH 
between 7.0 - 9.0.  We use the antidote Ca gluconate too, if a person happe
ns to get one of the acidic fluoride compounds on their skin.  However, whe
n it is out of date, you can dilute & flush the Ca gluconate to the public 
sewer system.  Gluconates are biodegradable and the Ca ions are harmless.

-----Original Message-----
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of Ra
lph Stuart
Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 1:01 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Laboratory medical oversight

We have a variety of laboratories that work with chemicals that present acu
te hazards that require rapid response in case of exposure. Examples includ
e HF and diisopropyl fluorophosphate among others. Some of our labs that us
e these chemicals have procured antidotes (such as calcium gluconate or atr
opine) for exposures to these chemicals and, for example, taped them to the
 fume hood where the material is used. We've noticed that these materials t
end to be out of date when we discover them.

Has anyone developed a program to manage this part of hazardous chemical us
e, such as identifying which chemicals require such a measure, assuring tha
t the materials are kept up to date, and providing lab workers with trainin
g in their use?

We're trying to assess what it would take to implement such a program here.

Thanks for any information.

- Ralph

Ralph Stuart, CIH
Environmental Safety Manager
University of Vermont
Environmental Safety Facility
667 Spear St. Burlington, VT  05405

rstuart**At_Symbol_Here**uvm.edu
fax: (802)656-5407

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