Mario,

We have combustion research labs and catalyst research labs that all emit
carbon monoxide.  Obviously we have the engines and reactors exhausted
into hoods, but our emergency power here is not the most dependable, hence
the need for secondary protection.  We used to use MSI Orion 4 gas
detectors. Those units have been discontinued and I can not get parts for
them, so I recently switched to Drager X-am 5000s.  These are 5 gas
detectors that can be clipped onto your clothing for "passive" detection
if actively working in a hazard area.  They have an optional pump
accessory with tubing or probes for active detection that I use when
responding to a "strange odor" call or a general alarm in one of our
"hazardous" labs.  They are supposed to be calibrated every 6 months and
the Drager office here in Qatar will do it for about $200 each.  For the
total Drager setup I paid about $2200 each, but I am sure you can find
them cheaper in the US.

I hope this helps,

Brandon Chance, M.S.

Safety and Environmental Compliance Manager
Office of Building Operations & HSSE
Texas A&M University at Qatar
brandon.chance**At_Symbol_Here**qatar.tamu.edu

PO Box 23874 | Doha, Qatar
TAMUQ Building Room 225E | Education City

(o) +974.4423.0495 | (m) +974.6668.3552 | SkypeIn USA 001.281.764.1776

www.qatar.tamu.edu

It’s Time For Texas A&M

On 10/31/11 2:47 AM, "Garcia-Rios Mario"  wrote:

Hello Everyone,

I recently became the first CHO at my institution and joined the ACS
DCHAS.  The LISTSERV has already provided me with valuable information.
Our institution is small and Chemistry is a "service" area to the rest of
the College (including a small Biology Program).  Last week we had a
report from a staff member of a "strong and ugly odor" coming from a
chemistry lab.  The staff member called Public Safety and they called me.
It turns out that the lab tech had just prepared reagents containing
cyclohexane.  After the incident was determined to be "minor", the Public
Safety Chief told me that his office used to have a Portable Gas
Detector, but that said detector was lost. Can any of you recommend such
a device? Brand? Detectors?

Thanks in advance for any assistance,

Mario

Mario G. Garcia-Rios, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Biology and Chemistry
Chemical Hygiene Officer
Mount Ida College
777 Dedham Street
Newton, MA 02459
(617) 928-4061

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