DCHAS-L Archives Sep 14 2010 - Re: Shelf Life of PEG 400 used for Phenol First Aid Treatment

Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2010 19:31:31 -0400
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From: "Samuella B. Sigmann" <sigmannsb**At_Symbol_Here**APPSTATE.EDU>
Subject: Re: Shelf Life of PEG 400 used for Phenol First Aid Treatment
In-Reply-To: <4C8FC8AE.9080203**At_Symbol_Here**lbl.gov>

Hi Larry - Go to Chemidplus advanced and do a search on phenol. There you will find an unbelievable amount of data.
http://chem.sis.nlm.nih.gov/chemidplus/ProxyServlet?objectHandle=DBMaint&actionHandle=default&nextPage=jsp/chemidheavy/ResultScreen.jsp&ROW_NUM=0&TXTSUPERLISTID=0000108952

Here is the link to Hazardous Substances Data Bank on Phenol where it is stated:
http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/r?dbs+hsdb:**At_Symbol_Here**term+**At_Symbol_Here**rn+**At_Symbol_Here**rel+108-95-2

Areas in which people handle phenol should be equipped with /SRP: isopropyl/ alcohol solution cans and safety showers.
[Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. 3rd ed., Volumes 1-26. New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons, 1978-1984., p. V17 381 (1982)] **PEER REVIEWED**

Here is the http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/r?dbs+hsdb:**At_Symbol_Here**term+**At_Symbol_Here**rn+**At_Symbol_Here**rel+108-95-2
Antidote and Emergency Treatment: - lots of peer reviewed references.

Here is the link to WebWISER - the first responder site on phenol. It also indicates that isopropyl alcohol can be used initially.

http://webwiser.nlm.nih.gov/getSubstanceData.do;jsessionid=7D9E1A642F4124DDF6D6B26C82833065?substanceID=160&displaySubstanceName=Phenol&UNNAID=&STCCID=&selectedDataMenuItemID=8

You can also research polyethylene glycol at the Chemidplus advanced site.
Sammye

Larry D. McLouth wrote:

We're developing first aid procedures for phenol and phenol/chloroform. This involves decontaminating affected areas with polyethylene glycol (400 MW) instead of water. Flushing with water may spread phenol to other parts of the body.

Because of its expense, we plan to buy larger quantities of PEG 400 and repackage it into 1 L nalgene bottles. This, along with other supplies (gauze pads, gloves, disposable coveralls - for modesty, etc.) will be put in light tight buckets. The buckets will be stored in labs at room temperature.

My question is about the shelf life of the PEG after it has been opened and repackaged. Chemical suppliers report shelf lives from 1 to 2 years. But I believe this applies to PEG intended for manufacturing and research applications.
Does anyone have experience with the use of PEG 400 for 1st aid treatment who can recommend a shelf life? Literature citations (if they exist) would be much appreciated.

Regards
Larry

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