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My guess: a pesticide dissolved in a chlorinated solvent. Tr ichlorofluoromethane is a possibility for the solvent, boiling point is 24C and it is used as a solvent in pesticide formulations. If this is correct the solid residue remaining a fter the solvent evaporates would contain the active ingredient and an emulsifyi ng agent.
Jim Quinn
Hazardous Waste Program Manager
Metro
600 NE Grand, Portland, OR 97232
503-797-1662, fax: 503-797-1795
jim.quinn**At_Symbol_Here**oregonmetro.gov
www.oregonmetro.gov
Metro | People places. Open spaces.
From: DCHAS-L Discu
ssion
List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of List Moderator
Sent: Monday, December 28, 2009 9:38 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Unknown Hazardous Chemical<
/p>
From: Andrew Gross <gross.drew**At_Symbol_Here**gmail.c om>
Date: December 28, 2009 12:02:48 PM EST
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Unknown Hazard ous Chemical
Hi Everyone,
My lab recieved a sample from a power plant that they do not know what
it is and wish to have it identified. ; I am trying to ID it because
until
I have a better idea it is on hold for all testing (read on to
find out why). I'm hoping for s ome thoughts.
Sample is liquid in appearance, but lighter then di-chloromethane. I
think it is actually an oil of some kind. It is transparant yellow
and some say it smells like kerosene.
It forms a white emulsion when mixed with water.
There is no flash point. On clos ed cup method it flames out below
25C. It does not ignite when exposed to direct flame. However it
boils around 27C.
Exposed flame turns green (like copper flame), vapors also turn flame green.
When dried, it turns to a waxy white translucent crystal. My closed
cup
flame is still green meaning it is contaminated by the vapors.
Vapors
in small quanteties (under hood) cause nausea, light headedness
and confusion.
pH
is 6ish (litmus paper) although client claims it to be caustic.
All PCB analysis came up negative.
The
exposure effects are why all tests are on hold till we have a
better
idea as to what were dealing with as well as the remaining
tests for my department involve reacting with acid and pumping< /p>
nitrogen through it.
Thoughts, ideas, experiences? Client has 5 unidentified drums of this
stuff and has no idea what it is. We need to identify but I am not
going to put anyone in danger until I know more about it.
Andrew Gross