All y’all on the DCHAS list

An art conservator contacted us with a question that is beyond us.  And there are so many on this forum endowed with wisdom on peroxide formation and disposal rules that I thought this would be the best place to post.  You can answer this email for the edification of all (preferred method) or contact me personally at actsnyc**At_Symbol_Here**cs.com and I’ll put you in touch with the conservator.

I look forward to your help.

Monona Rossol, President
Arts, Crafts & Theater Safety
New York NY 10012

THE INQUIRY:   Thank you both for getting back to me so quickly! If you wouldn't mind, posting on the forum would be much appreciated. Here is the goal and the protocol:

We would like to convert discolored white lead carbonate pigment into white lead sulfate using an ethereal hydrogen peroxide. The procedure for this was established in the 1990s to create a non-aqueous delivery method for the peroxide.
Equal parts 20 volume hydrogen peroxide and diethyl ether are shaken together and then left to settle to separate the aqueous component. The ethereal hydrogen peroxide is then brushed onto the discolored lead sample.

Questions: What should be done with the used peroxide and ether solution? How should we store the diethyl ether? Is there a form of diethyl ether that is safer to use/store?

Our lab has one cabinet for flammables, one for corrosives (with two sides, acids and bases), and one vent to the outside that is connected to the flammables cabinet. We have two fume hoods, one ducted and one standalone. We have the Novec Fire Suppression system in our collection storage, but the rest of the lab is fire-extinguishers only. Our chemical disposal company has agreed they can take the diethyl ether wastes but have not specified whether it should be a separate waste stream or a specific container. Guidance would be much appreciated.

Many thanks!
-Joanna