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Date: Wed, 26 Oct 2005 20:26:31 -0500
Reply-To: Bob Peck <eagles-rest**At_Symbol_Here**CHARTER.NET>
Sender: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
From: Bob Peck <eagles-rest**At_Symbol_Here**CHARTER.NET>
Subject: Re: Ethylene Oxide use in a research lab?
Comments: To: chemcon**At_Symbol_Here**JUNO.COM, jbenedik**At_Symbol_Here**uwyo.edu
In-Reply-To: <20051026.165435.736.5.chemcon**At_Symbol_Here**juno.com>
Ethylene oxide has been used in everything from a chemical processes as
a building block, to use as a very effective sterilizing agent in
hospitals and pharmaceutical manufacturing. It is an OSHA regulated
carcinogen, like benzene and vinyl chloride. See 29CFR Part1910.1047,
which is a very detailed and potentially onerous set of requirements.
Anyone intending to use EtO should thoroughly read and understand these
requirements. The only exempt operations are "processing, use or
handling of products containing EtO where objective data" ... which can
not release EtO into the air above the excursion limit (5 PPM average
airborne exposure for any 15 minute period). The Permissible Exposure
Limit for 8 hours is 1 PPM - TWA.
Most industry uses of EtO have gone away. There is no laboratory
exemption in this standard! Don't fall into the, "We are a University"
trap in relaxing the standards of professional practice with this
material. Simple reliance on any MSDS without understanding the
regulatory and health ramifications of a research compound is very
dangerous and imprudent.
Hope this helps.
Bob Peck
-----Original Message-----
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU] On Behalf Of
Jay Young
Sent: Wednesday, October 26, 2005 1:48 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Ethylene Oxide use in a research lab?
For all such question as this, I suggest reading labels and MSDSs.
After
both reading, and understanding, the label and the MSDS, you will then
know the precautions to be incorporated into your use and handling of
the
chemical.
If you find the MDSD difficult to understand, or believe it to be
inadequate, then raise a bit of H___ with the supplier of the chemical
until you are informed of what you find to be missing in the MSDS
and/or
label.
Jay Young
On Mon, 24 Oct 2005 16:32:47 -0600 John Benedik
writes:
> Good afternoon Group,
>
>
>
> I have a researcher who wishes to use ethylene oxide in a lab, to
> synthesis a compound. We need to purchase 500ml of ethylene oxide.
> His
> planned synthesis will be using 15ml at a time to synthesize this
> compound.
>
>
>
> My questions for the group:
>
>
>
> 1) Is anyone allowing the use of this material?
>
> 2) What safety precautions or procedures are you having your
> researches use?
>
> 3) What regulatory hoops do we have to jump through if any for
> this
> material?
>
>
>
> You may send a response to my e-mail below!
>
>
>
> Thanks for any help.
>
>
>
> John B
>
>
>
> John E. Benedik Jr.
>
> Chemical Safety Specialist
>
> Environmental Health & Safety
>
> University of Wyoming
>
> Dept. 3413
>
> 1000 E. University Ave.
>
> Laramie, Wyoming 82071
>
>
>
> Phone: (307) 766-2649
>
> Fax: (307 766-5678
>
> E-mail: jbenedik**At_Symbol_Here**uwyo.edu
>
>
>
>
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