DCHAS-L Discussion List Archive
Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2010 13:10:54 -0800
Reply-To: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
Sender: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
From: Mark Cameron <Mark.Cameron**At_Symbol_Here**DOJ.CA.GOV>
Subject: Re: Ether - Motor Priming Grade
In-Reply-To: <FCA5EF47F9BC694CBB4C58FEA04219634CCD9E5012**At_Symbol_Here**SDSU-MBX.jacks.local>
For what it's worth, meth cookers routinely buy "heat" (engine starter) as
a solvent. It usually contains diethyl ether, which make it a good starter
fluid because of its high VP. You could try to get a MSDS from Humco.
Mark Cameron, MS, CIH
Sr. Industrial Hygienist
Health and Safety Program Manager
California Criminalistics Institute
Bureau of Forensic Services
(916) 227-5956
>>> "Yarrow, Gary" 1/29/2010 12:31 PM >>>
Must be Friday afternoon....I still use it in my snow blower (as an
aerosol).
Ether in the glove compartment brings back memories of "Fear and Loathing
in Las Vegas" by Hunter Thompson......"never trust a man in the midst of
an ether binge!"...those that have read it will understand.
I remember the blue flames also, but coming out of a 1970 or so VW Bug!
Lost my facial hair (including eyebrows) once there!
Gary
Dr. Gary L. Yarrow, Director
Environmental Health & Safety
Shepard Hall 059; Bldg 2202
South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD 5700-7-0896
605-688-6332
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of
William Hirzy
Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 12:49 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Ether - Motor Priming Grade
Back in the day, when I worked in the lab and had access and drove a 1959
Volvo in the frigid midwestern winter, parking on the street, I would take
the battery out, bring it inside to keep warm for the next morning, then
re-install it, pour about 10 mL of diethyl ether onto the strangely
vertical carbeurator air filter, and that baby fired right up every
day--no problem........Then one night a cop stopped me because I had a
tail light out, some heavy anti-war literature stuck all over the trunk,
and quite a pony-tail and full beard. He looked at me, and then into the
glove compartment where I kept the ether (didn't want it in the apartment)
and almost busted me for having it. After I explained it, he relaxed, but
still gave me a ticket for the tail light................Petroleum ether
might have worked as well, but, but that diethyl variety sure did the
trick!
J. William Hirzy, Ph.D.
Chemist In Residence
Phone: 202-885-1780
WronaT**At_Symbol_Here**USA.REDCROSS.ORG
Sent by: DCHAS-L Discussion List
01/29/2010 12:15 PM
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Re: [DCHAS-L] Ether - Motor Priming Grade
Jerilyn,
My experience with "ether" used for motor starting (AKA starting fluid)
is usually a composition of petroleum "ether" which is typically but not
necessarily an ether as we chemists know it, but is really a composition
of short chain aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons. This material is
typically used in starting diesel engines that lack glow plugs in cold
climates.
Thomas Wrona
Equipment Systems Manager
Radiation and Chemical Safety Officer
Southeastern Michigan Location
Ohio Michigan Division
Office Phone: 313 494-2894
Facsimile: 313 833-2799
-----Original Message-----
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of
Roberts, Jerilyn C.
Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2010 5:39 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Ether - Motor Priming Grade
Does anyone have any information on Humco Laboratories Ether Motor
Priming Grade? We are working on moving to a new building and it was
found in a cabinet. All it says is "ether", but I am not familiar with
motor priming grade. I am treating with extreme caution. Any
information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Jerilyn Roberts
Environmental Health and Safety Director
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
501 East St. Joseph Street
Rapid City, SD 57701-3995
605 394-6729
605 394-6131 FAX
Jerilyn.Roberts**At_Symbol_Here**sdsmt.edu
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