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Volatility

Definition

Volatility describes how easily a substance will vaporize (turn into a gas or vapor).

A volatile substance can be defined as (1) a substance that evaporates readily at normal temperatures and/or (2) one that has a measurable vapor pressure.

The term volatile usually applies to liquids. However, some solid materials can change directly from solid to vapor without ever becoming liquid, a process called sublimation.

The rate at which a substance vaporizes (volatilizes) under a fixed set of conditions is called the evaporation rate.



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Additional Info

As the temperature is raised, substances become more volatile (vaporize more easily). This behavior can be exploited to purify materials by distillation (see Further Reading below). However, the greater the concentration of a flammable or toxic vapor, the greater the likelihood of an explosion or accidental poisoning.

To reduce the risks associated with volatile materials, always use caution when heating them and avoid storing such materials in hot or sunny locations. Use code-approved storage such as solvent safety cans and flammable liquid storage cabinets which can reduce the likelihood and effect of a catastrophic fire.

Organic chemicals that easily form vapors are called volatile organic compounds (VOC's). Given the health and physical hazards associated with common VOC's, many companies have either reduced their use of these materials or substituted other, less hazardous, materials and processes. Substitution of this nature is called "green chemistry" as it also benefits the environment.

SDS Relevance

This term usually appears on MSDS of materials that have a high vapor pressure. Depending on its vapor pressure, a volatile substance can easily form a significant concentration of vapor, especially in an enclosed space. If that vapor is flammable, a fire or explosion could result.

Other materials may emit enough vapor to exceed the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for inhalation. Always minimize your exposure to volatile chemicals by using engineering controls such as a fume hood or local exhaust ventilation. If those methods are not sufficient to protect you, be sure to use an approved respirator.


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Further Reading

• Separating Mixtures at General Chemistry Online!
• Vapor pressures of Volatile Chemicals, an online calculator that is part of John Byers' Chemical Ecology of Insects site.
• Overview of how to handle flammable, volatile, health hazardous, and corrosive chemicals at CU Boulder.
• Green Chemicals Alternative Purchasing Wizard at MIT - provides alternatives for some of the most commonly used hazardous solvents and substances in research laboratories. Requires Flash player.
• The Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge at the US EPA.
• OSHA's Fatal Fact Sheet #43 discusses an oil storage tank explosion that started when volatile vapors ignited.

See also: boiling point, evaporation rate, vapor pressure, ventilation.

Additional definitions from Google and OneLook.

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