One of the more interesting discussions that I have recently found on this topic is in Hill and Finster's "Laboratory Safety for Chemistry Students, 2nd Edition", Section 7.3.1.1

In this sidebar, they do the math to demonstrate that 32 ml of evaporated acetone in household refrigerator is enough to create a flammable atmosphere and potentially lead to explosion. They also point out that a loss of temperature could warm up and pressurize containers of flammable solvents enough to open the containers and lead to the release of this quantity of liquid, setting the stage for an explosion.

In my opinion, this is a situation that needs to be engineered around by using the correct type of freezer or refrigerator.

- Ralph

Ralph Stuart, CIH, CCHO
Chemical Hygiene Officer
Keene State College

ralph.stuart**At_Symbol_Here**keene.edu

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