From:
James Saccardo <James.Saccardo**At_Symbol_Here**CSI.CUNY.EDU>
Subject:
Re: [DCHAS-L] Chromatography Refrigerator for FPLC-20% ethanol cleaning issue
Date:
Jul 30, 2025 20:10 UTC
Reply-To:
ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU>
Message-ID:
<DS0PR14MB554176A0D34D5E2069CDA380A224A**At_Symbol_Here**DS0PR14MB5541.namprd14.prod.outlook.com>
In-Reply-To:
<CAAszpkxgC4S8hEtoEDE8ZHJ-xgEPK=2w6BUWBEV19H7307ctEg**At_Symbol_Here**mail.gmail.com>
Margaret,
Ah, this is a good one, and it depends on whom you ask. What FP are we using to determine flammability?
OSHA is 100F but EPA and DOT are 140F.
Our local FD states store no flammables flashing below 100F in refrigerators.
Ethanol at 20% has a FP of 97F kind of close for comfort.
Does the FPLC need to be cold during disinfection? Maybe just turn the fridge off while running ethanol, and turn back on when running protein.
James
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU>
On Behalf Of Margaret Rakas
Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2025 11:29 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Chromatography Refrigerator for FPLC-20% ethanol cleaning issue
* This email originates from a sender outside of CUNY. Verify the sender before replying or clicking on links and attachments. *
We have a new faculty member who is purchasing an FPLC instrument that needs to be kept between 2-8C.
FPLC typically uses aqueous buffers and salt solutions for purifying proteins; however, 20% ethanol is routinely used to clean columns, which are kept within the instrument during this process. If the instrument will not be used for a
longer period of time than a few days (think December holiday break) then it is generally recommended to store the columns in 20% ethanol.
This is our first FPLC. 20% ethanol is flammable. It doesn't appear there are many alternatives for cleaning/prevention of bacterial growth.
How do other institutions deal with the flammability issue? I thought I had found a solution with one supplier's chromatography refrigerator with a "safety switch protected internal outlet" but upon checking with their tech support, was
informed this safety switch only protects in case of an electrical short in the line, has nothing to do with detection of flammable vapor.
I am really stuck here--unless I'm missing something. The FPLC vendor does not sell refrigerators and referred our faculty to the standard scientific vendors. I am now wondering if we need to install an explosion-proof fan in one of our
cold rooms (which is ventilated with fresh air).
Feel free to contact me privately either over the phone (my number is below) or else via email.
--
Margaret A. Rakas, Ph.D.
Lab Safety & Compliance Director
Clark Science Center
Smith College
413-585-3877 (p)
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