Date: Thu, 18 Oct 2007 18:37:52 -0700
Reply-To: DAVID KATZ <dakatz45**At_Symbol_Here**MSN.COM>
Sender: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
From: DAVID KATZ <dakatz45**At_Symbol_Here**MSN.COM>
Subject: Re: I need your advice.
Comments: To: fadare oluniyi

I will echo the advice of both Jay Young and Russ Phifer that you need a 
hazardous chemicals consultant to help in reviewing your list of 
chemicals.  The list of chemicals, by itself, does not include 
information on age, concentrations (as applied to selective materials), 
or current condition of each substance.  Every chemical has some degree 
of toxcitity depending on exposure, so a classification as "poisonous" 
must be applied on a case-by-case basis. 

Before you engage a consultant, you should meet with your faculty to 
determine which chemicals, and what quantities, are still needed for 
laboratory experiments in your programs.  Those should be at the top of 
your list to review for safety.  I know that the RSC is encouraging 
teachers to do more demonstrations in the classroom, so any chemicals 
needed for demonstrations should be next on your list for review. 
Chemicals that will no longer be used should be disposed of in 
accordance with all local and regional regulations by a qualified 
disposal professional.

In regard to alternative chemicals to achieve the same results in the 
laboratory, that must be determined on a case-by-case basis for each 
experiment. 

Once you get your inventory straightened out, you need to provide for 
proper storage of the chemicals, arranged, preferably, by compatibility 
of compounds, in proper storage cabinets. 

Your future goal is to only order chemicals specifically needed for 
laboratory experiments and demonstrations and in small quantities, 
enough for classroom usage, so that you have little or no chemicals to 
store between academic semesters.  MSDS sheets should accompany any 
chemical ordered, but be sure to request them when the orders are 
placed.  MSDS sheets must be placed in  appropriate binders and kept 
where they are easily accesible.  In addition, be sure to label each 
chemical with a date received label, so you will be aware of age, 
especially for anything that may oxidize or degrade over time.

From your message, it appears that you, your committee, and probably 
your faculty, have not had any formal safety training in handling, 
storage, and disposal of laboratory chemicals.  I strongly urge that 
your faculty get that training.  Your consultant should be able to 
recommend individuals and/or programs in the UK.  If not, contact 
someone at the RSC.  

David A. Katz

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------
  David A. Katz              
  Chemist, Educator, Expert Demonstrator, Science Communicator, and 
Consultant   
  Programs and workshops for teachers, schools, museums, and the public
  133 N. Desert Stream Dr. * Tucson, AZ 85745-2277 *  USA
  voice/fax: (520) 624-2207 * email: 
dakatz45**At_Symbol_Here**msn.com
           Visit my web site:  
http://www.chymist.com
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-----------------------------
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: fadare oluniyi 
  To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU 
  Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2007 4:46 AM
  Subject: [DCHAS-L] I need your advice.

  I was nominated as the coordinator of the students' laboratory manual 
Review committee and I am to work with this long list of chemicals and 
materials.
    Part of the assignment of my committee is to 
    (1.)  Identify some of these chemicals which are carcinogenic, 
poisonous and are no more expected to be used in the laboratory again or 
are having regulatory restriction placed on them.
    (2.)  Profer alternative Chemical to be used to achieve the same aim 
in the laboratory.
    (3.)  See possible and safe mean of discarding the ones in stock.
    Please, I will appreciate you contributions on any of these 
chemicals.
    I work in the pharmacognosy Department.
    Thanks.   
     
    Chloral hydrate                         
    Iodine               
    Phoroglucinol    
    Sodium Carbonate
    Picric Acid       
    Lead Acetate    
    Potassium Chlorate
    Potassium Hydroxide    
    Safranin                        
    Sodium Hydroxide        
    Ammonium oxalate       
    Calcium Oxalate           
    Lead Sub-acetate         
    Ferric Chloride 
    Ruthenium red              
    Barium Chloride           
    Potassium Permanganate
    Molisch                        
    Naphthol                      
    Ammoniacal Copper Oxide 
    Phenol                          
    Gelatin                          
    Trinitrophenol               
    Alcohol                        
    Benzene                       
    Glycerin                                    
    Fehling Solution A                    
    Fehling Solution B         
    Hydrogen peroxide       
    Ether                            
    Chloroform                   
    Acetone                       
    Sulphuric Acid  
    Hydrochloric Acid        
    Nitric Acid                   
    Chromic Acid               
    Acetic a-hydride           
    Glacial acetic acid         
    Light Petroleum            
    Formic acid                  
    Ammonia                      
    Cotton                          
    Flan                              
    Hemp                           
    Jute                              
    Silk                              
    Rayon                          
    Petrol ether (400C-600C)          
    Diethyl ether                             
    Acetic acid                               
    Glacial acetic acid                     
    N-hexane                                 
    Methanol                                  
    Absolute ethanol                       
    Benzene                                   
    Ethyl acetate                             
    Chloroform                               
    Acetic anhydride                       
    Light Petroleum                        
    Cyclohexane                             
    Acetonitrile                               
    Formic acid                              
    Dichloromethane                       
    Potassium hydroxide pellets      
    Silver nitrate                             
    Sodium hydroxide pellets          
    Sodium Sulphate (anhydrous)
    Ferric Chloride             
    Phenazone                                
    Ferric ammonium citrate            
    Sodium acetate             
    Sodium Potassium tartrate         
    Sodium Bicarbonate                 
    Lead Sub-acetate                     
    Resorcinol                                
    Sodium hydrogen phosphate     
    Sodium nitroprusside                
    Carbon tetrachloride                 
    2, 4-dinitrophenyl-hydrozine
    Carbon tetrachloride                 
    Bromine                                   
    40% formaldehyde                   
    Ammonia                                  
    Anisaldehyde                            
    Paraffin oil                                

         
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