Colleagues,

Following up on the explosion at IIT-Bombay which injured a professor and 2 interns:

https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/explosion-at-iit-bombay-injures-professor-2-interns/story-i8UkvjMhnKnDeLyjKUj8iM.html

And the dramatic acetylene balloon explosion:

http://www.esdjournal.com/static/Kansas/dauer%20truck.htm

This raises questions about the very common synthetic technique used in research labs of using hydrogen-filled party balloons for small scale reduction reactions at atmospheric pressure. Researchers often fill party balloons with 1-5 liters of hydrogen at a regular gas cylinder, sometimes walk through the lab to their hood, and then connect the balloon to a reaction flask. (All that in contrast with hydrogenation under pressure in a Parr reactor using fixed high pressure lines.)

1. Have there been reports of explosions when using hydrogen-filled balloons for lab reduction reactions?
2. What safety precautions should be followed when balloons are used?

I can envision a number of things to do to avoid or discharge static electricity, but wonder if others have experience in this.

Thanks,

Craig Merlic

Professor of Chemistry