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From: ILPI Support <info**At_Symbol_Here**ilpi.com>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Glassware inspection guide?
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 2015 15:59:35 -0400
Reply-To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>
Message-ID: FECEE04B-BE6D-4C17-81CC-33303DEEEBBE**At_Symbol_Here**ilpi.com
In-Reply-To <7B3E35D0-FF0C-4C73-981E-B6BA24B1F12E**At_Symbol_Here**keene.edu>
Stuff that needs more careful attention is anything that will be subjected to vacuum or pressure. Items immersed into cryogens would also merit special attention. Any of these could explode or shatter with disastrous results.
On high vac systems you can often find leaks (especially hairline or star cracks) using a handheld Tesla (high frequency) coil when the system is under vacuum. These are still sold by places like VWR for under $300.
Any glassware that has been repaired as a DIY project (e.g. no in-house glassblower to properly anneal the piece) should be examined with a polariscope to ensure that stress/strain has been properly relieved. See
http://www.ilpi.com/glassblowing/glassstress.html Be sure to check out that link to the Corning Museum of Glass video at the bottom of the page for an example of annealed glass spontaneously shattering.
Chips out of beaker and test tube lips are a common source of sharp edges. I'd imagine that in many classroom student equipment drawers there are a lot of these and the students are loathe to report them so they do not get charged for breakage.
Rob Toreki
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Safety Emporium - Lab & Safety Supplies featuring brand names
Fax: (856) 553-6154, PO Box 1003, Blackwood, NJ 08012
Does anyone know of a good illustrated guide to inspecting lab glassware for potential safety concerns? I've seen a fair amount of advice on the web that says "inspect glassware before using" but I'd like to have some examples of things to look for. Also, are there specific locations on different types of glassware that should be examined more carefully than others?
Thanks for any help with this.
- Ralph
Ralph Stuart, CIH, CCHO
Chemical Hygiene Officer
Keene State College
ralph.stuart**At_Symbol_Here**keene.edu
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