Questions tagged [safety]
Questions regarding chemical and lab safety. This includes questions about proper lab procedure, safe chemical handling, and such.
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How do I understand exactly how hazardous a material is based on SDS?
I work with a lab occasionally and get asked often if a chemical is safe to breathe, how hazardous is it if it lands on skin, etc. For the most part, I'll try to go to an SDS and look it up. The ...
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1answer
38 views
Phosphoric acid spill cleanup
While working with some rust converter (MSDS, ~20% phosphoric acid by weight), a sequence of events that would make Rube Goldberg proud led to me spilling about 500mL of it all over the place. Yes I ...
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0answers
23 views
Standard practice for keeping salts dry
I should point out first that I'm not a chemist, but I'm currently doing a little bit of chemistry; this should clarify that I don't have formal training in a chemistry lab (other than some basic chem ...
2
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1answer
76 views
Are there safe inks that allow one to eat a fish after painting it?
Just came across a specific type of art called Gyotaku where specific types of ink are used to paint over one side of a fish and then a paper (rice paper, shoji paper, ...) is placed on top in order ...
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43 views
Can I safely use a solution of sodium hydroxide in methanol to dispose of 3D printing PLA waste at home?
In the article Depolymerization of Post-Consumer Polylactic Acid Products the abstract states:
"... It was found that the most rapid decomposition occurred in
solution of sodium hydroxide in ...
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24 views
When multiple sources give the content of an ingredient my an unqualified percentage, can I safely assume this is by weight? Or; it's not a wart
I am trying to make a simple scented shampoo and body soap for my own use and for Christmas gifts.
I statr with a base of 32 oz – (a bit under a kg) of a mild commercial castille soap (Dr. Bronner’s ...
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2answers
49 views
Is there a safe way to neutralize bleach at home [closed]
I don't want to simply replace one hazardous chemical with another. The bleach is stubbornly clinging to my shower walls and I feel its effects every time I take a shower.
Ascorbic acid seems like the ...
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1answer
42 views
What are the consequences of mixing Ferric Chloride Solution, distilled vinegar, baking soda and water? [closed]
I was attempting to etch and blade with a ferric chloride solution. I did not have enough so I filled a glass with vinegar and water (3 parts vinegar to 1 part water) then added 2 oz. of ferric ...
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1answer
695 views
Guidelines for home generation of hypochlorous acid disinfectant from salt water [closed]
I bought a home generator for making hypochlorous acid by electrolysis of a water and salt solution. I would like to figure out guidelines for safe and effective use of my generator.
I have found ...
9
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4answers
1k views
Is it safe to look at a mercury gas discharge tube? [closed]
As part of a chemistry course, I recently observed a demonstration in which the instructor electrified a mercury gas discharge tube (the tube looked something like this image). The glow from the tube ...
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3answers
65 views
Does aluminium foil, warmed up by sunlight, harm human health? [closed]
I must lightproof and block sunlight in new bedroom. I can't afford blinds or window coverings. I don't use garbage bags, because a plastic bag baking in the sun may emit harmful chemicals (see Home ...
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23 views
General Question about transferring Solution from containers (Workplace Related)
At my workplace we will soon begin diluting a solution to specific concentrations, this is done within a specific container.
The solution to be diluted is provided by a manufacturer in the following ...
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2answers
61 views
Is it safe to combine sodium hypochlorite (bleach) sodium triphosphate (TSP) for cleaning?
I've heard this combination can be particularly effective at cleaning biofilms, perhaps because the TSP is a surfacant, allowing bleach to "attack" more layers of the biofilm.
However, I'm ...
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2answers
40 views
Are burns from Lye or Potash that bad?
I read that the chemicals potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide are extremely corrosive and will cause severe burns but I also see videos of people saying that if you get lye on you, then just wash ...
2
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0answers
42 views
Does davis safety lamp detect explosive gases in ship compartments? [closed]
I feel managers at Bangladesh ship breaking yard are not properly caring for safety of workers. Many workers die in explosions while salvaging metal. documentary available on YouTube by National ...
23
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1answer
3k views
Is this poor laboratory safety?
I'm a formulation chemist. My co-worker, is also a formulation scientist but has no previous formal training in chemical safety or lab chemistry settings.
I always work in the hood unless I’m just ...
4
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1answer
180 views
Safest way to conduct a reaction with bromine under reflux conditions
I am conducting an electrophilic aromatic bromination reaction according to literature. The substrate and intended substitution pattern do not matter, but the reported procedure requires the dropwise ...
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1answer
123 views
What is the size in m³ of a toxic benzene cloud when if 20.000 kg liquid benzene would vaporize?
Benzene is carcinogen, The short term exposure limit for airborne benzene is 5 ppm for 15 minutes see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benzene#Benzene_exposure_limits
I would like to know which volume of ...
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3answers
4k views
Why can radioactive contamination be spread by people?
So I am reading a book called "Voices from Chernobyl" where witnesses, nuclear plant workers, firefighters and other persons involved in the 1986 accident give testimony of their experiences....
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6answers
9k views
How does ammonium nitrate explode on its own?
I thought ammonium nitrate was an oxidizer that needed to be mixed with fuel to form a high explosive (e.g., ANFO). But apparently there have been accidental explosions involving just the "...
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2answers
158 views
Determination of percentage of Methanol in an Alcohol based hand sanitiser [closed]
Note: I am looking for advice on a chemical test - not a sermon.
I expect that this is entirely on topic in this forum, downvotes and sermon comment notwithstanding.
More than about 5% of Methanol in ...
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50 views
How do you purify gases formed in electrolysis with a potassium hydroxide electrolyte?
I am interested in the $\ce{KOH}$ vapor that is released with my gasses during electrolysis.
I have two questions.
What would be the best place to start research on the $\ce{KOH}$ vapor produced in ...
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1answer
89 views
Laboratory setup for the distillation of sulfuric acid
Purification of Laboratory Chemicals, 5th Edition, by Armarego, reads (p. 53):
Reagents such as water, ammonia, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, perchloric acid, and sulfuric acid can be purified via ...
3
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1answer
57 views
What is the safe level of energy output for hydrogen combustion at home?
With confinement, my son would like to do some home experiments for a class. So far, he has a good setup that seems sound for the electrolysis of water. A later part of the experiment would combine ...
0
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1answer
123 views
can i use an isobutane stove (like jetboil) or butane blowtorch with borosilicate glass?
I don't have a bunsen burner, but have a camping stove (similar to https://www.amazon.com/Stansport-183-B-Isobutane-Backpack-Stove/dp/B004EPWM5S) and a blow torch. I'd like to do some distillation ...
3
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0answers
34 views
316 stainless steel and high concentration, high temperature Hydrogen Peroxide
I'm looking at doing some experiments with small scale rocketry and I need to find the right materials for this project, where I will be burning through lots of HTC (peroxide above 90% concentration). ...
4
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0answers
58 views
Spraying difluoroethane into an enclosed space
I'm working on developing physics lab activities that my students can do at home during the covid quarantines. For an activity involving waves and thermodynamics, I came up with an experiment at home ...
2
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1answer
52 views
Treating styrene in the atmosphere
I was actually inspired to ask this question in certain circumstances. In the outskirts of my city, there happened to be a styrene gas leak early morning today which killed thirteen and hospitalized ...
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2answers
3k views
How much time liquid mercury takes to evaporate?
I asked before about a thermometer that I broke yesterday. To summarize, I broke a mercury thermometer in my bedroom, which is a place where is difficult to have sure that I get rid of all mercury, ...
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2answers
61 views
cheap anti-fog agent!
What are some safe and widely available alternatives to specifically formulated anti-fog sprays/treatments? Specifically for use on glasses, goggles, and face shields.
0
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1answer
23 views
Putting sanitiser in PVC bottles [closed]
can I put hand sanitiser in PVC bottles or must the bottles be PET. With the shortage of bottles I am keen to know if a 70% ethanol or isapropyl based sanitiser will distort or soften a PVC bottle in ...
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0answers
88 views
Safety of IPA and sodium hypochlorite mixture?
Is the mixture of 97% isopropyl alcohol and 0.5% of sodium hypochlorite safe?
Do they react together and form any compounds ?
Does this mixture present more danger to humans and animals than its ...
2
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0answers
59 views
At what temperature does a polyester release toxic gases?
I've bought a "Shrinky Dinks" printable sheets and now I'm feeling unsure about using it since I've read that heating polyester materials may be very harmful for health, and the final purpose of this ...
0
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2answers
171 views
Producing hydrogen sulfide at home - how dangerous is it? [closed]
When I was a kid, I used to go to the pharmacy to buy sulfur and iron powder, then mix it together and heat it until it starts to react into iron sulfide. Put a chunk of iron sulfide into some vinegar,...
2
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1answer
67 views
Is sodium percarbonate the safest and by weight the most efficient oxygen generator? [closed]
I have been reading about $\ce{Mn}$-catalyzed reaction of sodium percarbonate and water to produce gaseous oxygen in medical emergency situations.
This seems safe due to its reagents and products, ...
3
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0answers
36 views
Formic acid and carbon monoxide outgassing from latex mattress
Formic acid is used as a coagulant to turn rubber tree sap into latex, formic acid also decomposes to carbon monoxide. Does this mean things like latex mattresses have the potential to off-gas carbon ...
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1answer
78 views
Is it safe to touch salts given to you for analysis? [closed]
In our chemistry practical paper (High school level), Inorganic salt analysis is one of the questions asked. We are given a petri dish with a sample of salt and are asked to find the cation and anion ...
2
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2answers
62 views
Lab goggle recommendations?
I'm taking my first chemistry class with a laboratory component this quarter. My first laboratory session was earlier this evening (observing simple metathesis reactions). While I found the lab work ...
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1answer
4k views
Neutralizing a sulfuric acid spill
From my AP Chem Prep Book:
What should you do if you spill sulfuric acid on the countertop?
A) Neutralize the acid with vinegar.
B) Sprinkle solid NaOH on the spill.
C) Neutralize the acid with ...
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0answers
26 views
What happens when these 3 chemicals are mixed in air? [closed]
What happens when these 3 chemicals are mixed in air?
Pentanone/Di-isopropyl Ketone (2,4-Dimethyl-3-Pentanone)
Iodine, reagent grade
Sodium Iodide, reagent grade.
The 3 parts make up a liquid in ...
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1answer
38 views
Safety requirements for the laboratory work with salts of heavy metals [closed]
So I am going to start a set of experiments involving the following metal nitrates:
Cobalt nitrate hexahydrate
Barium nitrate
Cerium nitrate hexahydrate
Ammonium nitrate nonahydrate
Iron(II) nitrate ...
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1answer
75 views
How dangerous is the Mercury-Thallium filled thermometer? [closed]
What's the amount of Mercury and Thallium in a typical low-temperature thermalmeter?
How poisonous is Thallium when bounded with Mercury?
0
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1answer
2k views
How to dispose of NaOH solution? [closed]
I have a range of sodium hydroxide solutions with different concentrations. (from 1.0 mol dm^-3 to 0.5 mol dm^-3). The max volume of each is 100ml. How can you easily dispose of these? Can I pour them ...
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4answers
103 views
Will ground glass joints relieve pressure non-catastrophically?
I need to heat a fluid for seven days at a time. The fluid goes in round bottom flask that is suspended in a water bath. The test fluid will decompose and generate a small amount of gas over time.
...
0
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1answer
95 views
Appropriate container for storing/keeping chromic acid? [closed]
I am planning to make chromic acid, however I the information for keeping chromic acid are conflicting. Can it be stored in a glass bottle even though it's used as a glass etchant? Also I saw some ...
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0answers
95 views
Distillation of oxalyl chloride
May I use water as a condensing medium while distilling out oxalyl chloride?
As oxalyl chloride reacts with water and the products are $\ce{HCl},$ $\ce{CO}$ and $\ce{CO2},$ when there is a leak or ...
0
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2answers
176 views
Sodium + water reaction, noxious fumes?
I was reacting pure sodium and tap water, and at one point I put some splattered sodium back into the water. I observed fumes that reacted with my respiratory system, producing a burning sensation.
I ...
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1answer
34 views
How to estimate the maximum chlorine hazard from 1 g of Palladium(II) chloride? [closed]
I plan to work with an electrolyte that contains 1 g of Palladium(II) chloride. I am trying to estimate how much of a hazard this system could possibly pose (and provide ventilation, chlorine ...
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1answer
100 views
Cup with vinegar/salt/copper solution previously in it ran through dishwasher
Someone enjoys making jewelry, and saw an online tutorial saying that you can mix equal parts of vinegar and salt, and leave copper in it for a while to oxidize it, and turn it green.
After doing ...
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0answers
128 views
Highly concentrated NaOH solution at high temperature vs borosilicate glassware and cellulose?
I've read here on stack-exchange that NaOH will react with glass through the following reaction:
4 NaOH + SiO2 ⤑ Na4SiO4 + 2 H2O
I would like to briefly heat a highly concentrated NaOH solution to ...
