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Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] 40 Micron aluminum powder
Date: February 28, 2012 3:33:40 PM EST
Author: Don Abramowitz 		Next by Date:
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] 40 Micron aluminum powder
Date: February 28, 2012 4:16:06 PM EST
Author: NEAL LANGERMAN

From: Roger McClellan <roger.o.mcclellan**At_Symbol_Here**ATT.NET>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] 40 Micron aluminum powder
Date: February 28, 2012 3:57:12 PM EST
Reply-To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>
Message-ID: <6F431C2EE2F38D459F5DD28C5B9A10BC0B9EB274**At_Symbol_Here**admin-fpm-exch1.fpm.wisc.edu>


Dr Chandra:
    I am compelled to state the obvious. I suggest you meet with the investigator and some one knowledgable of modern laboratory ventilation standards and practices to review the research being done and how to modify the facilities including containment systems to assure that all applicable exposure standards are met and that you have no combustibility issues. In my opinion, the issue of the specific vacumn cleaner is important, however, it is likely secondary to ventilation issues. Although the material was stated to be a 40 micron powder I would want assurance through measurements as to levels( or absence) of respirable particles.
    GOOD LUCK IN WHAT SOUNDS LIKE A MAJOR EDUCATIONAL EXERCISE.
      Roger
 
 
Roger O. McClellan, Fellow-American Association for Aerosol Research
Advisor, Toxicology and Human Health Risk Analysis
13701 Quaking Aspen Place NE
Albuquerque, NM 87111
Tel: 505-296-7083
Fax: 505-296-9573
E-mail: roger.o.mcclellan**At_Symbol_Here**att.net


From: "CHANDRA, Tilak" <tchandra**At_Symbol_Here**FPM.WISC.EDU>
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Sent: Tue, February 28, 2012 1:06:12 PM
Subject: [DCHAS-L] 40 Micron aluminum powder

Dear DCHAS members:

One of PI in our campus is using 40 micron aluminum powder for the research purpose. After experiment/manipulations, they generate dust (fine layer of Al dust) in the room as well as in instrument surfaces. According from F1 Sheet from the Aluminum Association specified "Standard commercial industrial vacuum cleaners must not be used during cleaning. Vacuum cleaning systems, designed and certified for use with Group E combustible dusts may be used, with limitations (see NFPA 484)". Aluminum powder is highly flammable and can explode in the air under circumstances. [MSDS (JT Baker): Flammable solid, dust may form flammable or explosive mixture with air. Nanomaterial Store MSDS: contact with water liberates extremely flammable gases, spontaneously flammable in air.]

According to NFPA 484: 8.1.2.3.4: When being used for aluminum powders and aluminum dust, portable vacuum cleaners shall be used only if listed or approved for use with group E dusts (combustible aluminum dust) and shall be identified for use with aluminum only.

I need your recommendations/suggestions in respect to cleaning/decontamination procedures used for the fine layer of materials. Please let me know if any of your facility is working with similar conditions with the aluminum dust. I will greatly appreciate your help in this matter..

Best Regards,

Tilak

Tilak Chandra, Ph.D.
Chemical Safety Specialist
Environment, Health and Safety
University of Wisconsin-Madison
30 East Campus Mall
Madison, WI 53715
Ph. 608-890-0255
FAX 608-262-6767
tchandra**At_Symbol_Here**fpm.wisc.edu

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