From: Alan Hall <oldeddoc**At_Symbol_Here**GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] 2 Girls Burned During Chemistry Experiment At High School In The Bronx
Date: Sat, 6 Oct 2018 18:00:33 -0500
Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
Message-ID: CALDugaYa5hK-dpdeSyozSAOXyx3K8bHbeg0ujoN+f0uw2X1nQA**At_Symbol_Here**mail.gmail.com
In-Reply-To


Et al,

One of the things we might consider: have any of us really got any actual, factual data on this incident other than media reports (and we all know what they are)? Has anybody seen medical records to know what the injuries really were? Do any of us actually know what, in this case, the substances involved were? And why was there an open flame close enough to cause some sort of solvent to ignite. Perhaps like Sherlock Holmes, we should not theorize to much in the absence of facts?

Alan
Alan H. Hall, M.D.
Medical Toxicologist

On Sat, Oct 6, 2018 at 5:53 PM Sandra Koster <sandrakkoster**At_Symbol_Here**gmail.com> wrote:
I looked up the link for the sugar/baking soda snake and it says to use lighter fluid as the fuel. There is a very big difference between alcohol and lighter fluid when it comes to flammability and volatility.

Sandra Koster
Senior Lecturer in Chemistry, retired
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

On Sat, Oct 6, 2018 at 1:09 PM Alan Hall <oldeddoc**At_Symbol_Here**gmail.com> wrote:
Et al,

Another perhaps applicable pseudo-parable:

Sociologist and a surgeon take their cars to the grarge to have them repaired;. Getting bored in the waiting room, they go out to watch a mechanic work.

Fellow brings a car in. Mechanic takes the history of what the owner thinks in wrong with it. He takes a stethoscope and listens to the engine, taps on this and that, hooks up some diagnostic tests. Makes up his mind. Shuts the engine off, tears it apart, and puts in new parts and fixes it.

Sociologist looks at the surgeon and say: "Seems to me, doc, he does the same thing you do."

Surgeon goes over and taps the mechanic on the shoulder and says: "Now, buddy, do it with the motor running!".

Alan
Alan H. Hall, M.D,
Medical Toxicologist

On Sat, Oct 6, 2018 at 9:43 AM Samuella Sigmann <sigmannsb**At_Symbol_Here**appstate.edu> wrote:
Right there with you. I am trying to figure that out as well. Did you hear the girl speak about now being afraid to take chemistry class. Evidence of the negative impact these incidents can have.
S-

On 10/6/2018 9:43 AM, Wilhelm, Monique wrote:
I'm confused.   Since when does the carbon snake require alcohol. And why would high schoolers be using con sulfuric acid?



Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone


-------- Original message --------
From: DCHAS Membership Chair <membership**At_Symbol_Here**DCHAS.ORG>
Date: 10/6/18 8:14 AM (GMT-05:00)
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] 2 Girls Burned During Chemistry Experiment At High School In The Bronx

I'm sharing this with the list as it's possible that CHAS members may be asked about this kind of event by people who hear of it by rumor.

- Ralph

https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2018/10/05/girls-burned-in-the-bronx/

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -Two teen girls suffered third degree burns when an experiment they were working on in chemistry class caught fire in the Bronx Friday.

It happened at around 1:40 p.m. at Morris High School on Boston Road in the Morrisania section.

According to officials with the FDNY, the students were making a carbon sugar snake. The experiment involves using alcohol, and while the experiment was underway some vapor escaped and made contact with the flame that was being used to create the snake, officials said. Flames shot across the table, causing burns to the face, hands and hair of two girls, 15 and 17.

"From what I saw her arm was on fire, her sleeve," one student said. "When I saw her running down the hall that's what I saw."

Investigators say a teacher was in the room at the time, but it's not immediately clear how a chemical was able to get close enough to a flame for this to happen.

After the ordeal students were allowed to gather their belongings and go home for the day. Even though their classmates are expected to recover, it has many feeling shaken.

"FDNY and EMS immediately responded to this serious incident, and students are in stable condition being treated for non-life threatening injuries," said Miranda Barbot of the Department of Education. "The safety of our students is our top priority, and FDNY is conducting a thorough investigation. The lab will be out of use until it is completed."

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