I had a historical and comparative methods course in photography that used diethyl ether once upon a time.
Ethyl ether, diethyl ether - same thing (Et2O) is a class 1a flammable (low boiling and low flash) and when discarded is a hazardous waste ( EPA codes D001, F003). The lead will also be contained in the waste and it will have a D008 hazardous waste code.
20% (I'm assuming) H2O2 in Et2O is probably stable in an organic solvent, but be careful not to contaminate it with any oxidizable material (bleach, ammonia, acids) as you are likely to get some kind of reaction. Eventually the peroxide will decompose with time and the solution will be H2O and Et2O - and the inorganic lead compounds.
Storing ethyl ether you should use the vented cabinet, as it is hard to keep this genie the bottle. Vapors escape any closure and you will smell it if not adequately ventilated. Can also reach flammable limits of not stored properly. It's probably used due to its quick evaporation rate. You can try other solvents with a low vapor pressure.
Do not use the non-ducted fume hood, you will overload and carbon absorbers and you'll have ether vapors in the studio.
I would also not try to react away the peroxide, this can cause an unfavorable reaction if you don't understand what is happening and can be considered illegal treatment of hazardous waste depending. Let your transporter and end facility handle that, ask them.
Also, you say you have fire protection equipment, be sure it is in good working order and certified at certain intervals. Having it and maintaining it so it will work when needed are two different things.
I hope I have gave you some insight and pointed you in the right direction.
James
-----Original Message-----
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU> On Behalf Of davivid
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2025 3:04 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] FW: Inquiry from an art conservator
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Do you have a reference for the procedure? I'd love to know how to convert a carbonate into a sulfate using hydrogen peroxide.
As for the peroxide/ether solution I would kill the peroxide with aqueous sodium bisulfite or thiosulfate. As an alternative to ethereal hydrogen peroxide there are organic hydroperoxides such as t-butyl hydroperoxide but I'm not sure that would be any safer.
Thank you
Dave Lane
CSO Zyviva Labs
On 3/27/25 10:34 AM, Membership Chair wrote:
> *From:*Monona Rossol <actsnyc**At_Symbol_Here**cs.com>
> *Sent:* Thursday, March 27, 2025 4:57 AM
> *To:* Ralph Stuart <membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org>
> *Subject:* Inquiry from an art conservator
>
> 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
> <mailto: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
>
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