From:
James Kaufman <jkaufman**At_Symbol_Here**LABSAFETYINSTITUTE.ORG>
Subject:
Re: [DCHAS-L] Grounding glass containers for solvent dispensing.
Date:
Sep 20, 2022 21:09 UTC
Reply-To:
ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU>
Message-ID:
<CAHk9oER31m0YB4kKmkDczWFwvKYxGkC8SKwf9YQ+FTaryHwLjA**At_Symbol_Here**mail.gmail.com>
In-Reply-To:
<661B6DBE-8A75-4CE9-878F-29E95212C740**At_Symbol_Here**ilpi.com>
Plastic .... hummm
Have you ever taken a plastic comb, rubbed it with a wool sweater, and held it near a small stream of water from a faucet? Water bends around the comb!
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I don’t have that specific experience, however, I’ll note that glassware can indeed pick up a static charge - just ask anyone who has ever worked in an inert atmosphere glovebox. Much less so outside one, though.
You only need to bond those containers that conduct electricity, such as those made from metal or conductive plastics.
If a container is made from a material that does not conduct electricity, such as polyethylene plastic or glass, bonding or grounding is not necessary.
One reason I find it unusual is that Justrite’s polyethylene containers such as these have bonding/grounding because of static buildup; perhaps the issue is the metal parts on it (disclaimer, this is my company’s web site):
https://www.safetyemporium.com/02122
Best wishes,
Rob Toreki
A colleague sent me this question and I suspect that the DCHAS-L list can provide helpful information. I’d appreciate any thoughts people would like to share on the topic...
- Ralph
Hello,
I have noticed an increase in the usage of 20L metals cans of solvents and wanted to include some safety tips in a talk I am doing. I know that grounding is required when you are transferring Metal to Metal or Metal to Plastic because of the buildup of static electricity but I was only able to find one University that has a requirement for also grounding glass bottles. I have never seen/experienced a shock from glass so I was not sure if I should make that a best practice requirement.
Does anyone have any thoughts or experiences with glassware or glass bottles building up a static charge?
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For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at
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Follow us on Twitter @acsdchas
