Hello, and Happy December!

Have any of you issued (or been subject to) specific guidance regarding lab-scale acid and bath baths for glassware cleaning? 

After some recent spills, we evaluated the types of containers being used for acid and base baths in our labs.  Some groups are using 5-gallon buckets with poorly fitting lids, which is what led to the spills.  In updating our recommendations, however, we questioned whether or not the lids should be tight-fitting (liquid/gas tight) due to the potential for pressurization.

Ultimately, we recommended a product such as this:  https://www.calpaclab.com/nalgene-rectangular-tank-with-cover-pp-7-gal-12x12x12/ng-14200-0010# (Which more than a few groups resisted/rejected for a variety of reasons).

A researcher argued that there is no potential for pressurization of a base bath (e.g. KOH and IPA) during glassware soaking, and therefore, a bucket with a screw top lid should still be an acceptable option.

Thoughts?  Is there a potential for pressurization of the base bath?  What requirements, if any, do you have for this?

Thanks for sharing your experiences and opinions!

Kimi Brown

(Kimi Bush) (she, her, hers)

Sr. Lab Safety Specialist

Environmental Health and Radiation Safety

University of Pennsylvania

3160 Chestnut St., Suite 400

Philadelphia, PA 19104-6287

Office: 215-746-6549

Voice/cell/text:  215-651-0557 

fax: 215-898-0140