DCHAS-L Archives, Dec 02 2019 - Re: [DCHAS-L] Acid and Base (glass wash) Bath Containers

I haven't heard of a case of pressurization, and the only theoretical routes I could think of would require fairly dramatic misuse that would cause issues regardless of container type. We have, however, had several chemical exposures (thankfully none serious) due to splashes, typically when a slippery item falls back into the bath. In addition to upgrading PPE, we've found that handling items using tongs (when practical) helps. I believe we also had a lab start using a shower rack sort of thing, like you'd use to hold soap and hang from a shower head, to hold items and then just lower it into the bath. Can't remember if any labs have used this, but something we also at least considered was using a colander/pasta strainer.

Sincerely,

Jack Reidy (he/him)

Research Safety Specialist

Environmental Health & Safety

Stanford University

484 Oak Road, Stanford, CA, 94305

Tel: (650) 497-7614

From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU> On Behalf Of Benjamin Chew
Sent: Monday, December 2, 2019 1:01 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Acid and Base (glass wash) Bath Containers

If I remember, pressurization was not an issue, but a secondary spill container was required since drips were always an issue and just in case the primary ruptured

On Monday, December 2, 2019 Jeffrey Your, CSMM <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU> wrote:

Kimi,

I use a five gallon pail with a screw top for our KOH IPA base bath. Pressurization has not been a problem over the years.

On Mon, Dec 2, 2019 at 2:52 PM Brown, Kimberly Jean <kimibush**At_Symbol_Here**ehrs.upenn.edu> wrote:

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

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Jeff
Jeffrey A. Your, M.B.A., C.S.M.M. - Science Buyer
Manager, Central Scientific Stores and Laboratory Support Services

Chair, University Sustainability Committee

John Carroll University
1 John Carroll Boulevard
University Hts, Ohio 44118-4538

216.397.4244 work 216.397.1803 fax 216.496.7594 cell

https://www.instagram.com/jcuchem/ https://www.facebook.com/jcuchemistry/

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