Policy:
Dating/Disposal of Peroxide Formers
Purpose
- To
limit the explosion potential created by peroxide formation in ethers and similar
compounds, the following requirements must be satisfied:
a. Container
labeling -
In addition to the original manufacture label or secondary label, the container for all peroxide-formers (Class I, II and
III as listed below) shall be labeled with the following
- WARNING PEROXIDE FORMER or POTENTIAL EXPLOSIVE PEROXIDE
(links to label examples
- ppt
jpeg
pdf 9 )
- date of purchase,
- open date (date of first opening) and
- required discard date (date that chemical must be disposed by), based on the following
requirements
b. Disposal
Requirements - by group
Class III Group - High hazard - (3 month storage after
opening) - These chemicals form explosive levels of peroxides without
concentration and are severe hazard after prolonged storage, especially after exposure to
air. All have been responsible for fatalities.
Test for peroxide formation (see testing section) or discard after three (3) months
from open date. If peroxides are not present, the discard date can be reset as per
Class III schedule (otherwise discard promptly via EH&S). This group includes the
following compounds:
| divinely acetylene |
isopropyl (diisopropyl) ether |
potassium amide |
| potassium metal |
sodium amide |
vinylidene chloride six |
| Butadiene *1 |
Chloroprene *1 |
Tetrafluoroethylene *1 |
*1 - when stored as a liquid monomer
Class II Group - Concentration peroxides - (12 month
storage after opening) - These are a peroxide hazard upon concentration
(distillation or evaporation). Test for peroxide before distillation, evaporation or
if concentration is suspected.
Test for peroxide formation or discard after 12 month from open date. If test
shows peroxides are not present, the discard date can be reset to 6 months from test date
(otherwise discard promptly via EH&S). This group includes the following:
| Acetal |
Acetaldehyde |
Benzyl alcohol |
| Butadiyne (butadiene) |
2-Butanol |
Cellosolves |
| Chlorofluoroethylene |
Cumene |
Cyclohexene |
| Cyclohexanol |
2-Cyclohexen-1-ol |
Cyclopentene |
| Decahydronaphthalene |
Decalin |
Diacetylene (butadiene) |
| Dicyclopentadiene |
Diethyl ether |
Diethylene glycol dimethyl ether |
| Diglyme |
Dioxanes |
Ethyl ether |
| Ethylene glycol dimethyl ether |
Ethylene glycol ether acetate |
Furan |
| Glyme |
4-Heptanol |
2-Hexanol |
| Isopropyl alcohol |
Isopropyl benzene |
Methyl acetylene |
| 3-Methyl-1-butanol |
Methylcyclopentane |
Methyl isobutyl ketone |
| 4-Methyl-2-Pentanol |
4-Methyl-2-Pentanone |
2-Pentanol |
| 4-Penten-1-ol |
1-Phenylethanol |
2-Phenylethanol |
| 2-Propanol |
Tetrahydrofuran |
Tetrahydronaphthalene |
| Tetralin |
Vinyl ethers |
(Other Secondary Alcohols) |
Class I Group - Autopolymerizers - (12 month storage
after opening) - These peroxide former are unsaturated materials, especially
those of low molecular weight, which may autopolymerize violently and hazardously due to
peroxide initiation. These should not be stored under inert atmosphere after
opening.
Test inhibited chemicals*2 for peroxide
formation (see test procedure) or discard after 12 month from open date. If test
shows peroxides are not present, the discard date can be reset to 12 months from test date
(otherwise discard promptly via EH&S). This group includes the following:
| acrylic acid |
acrylonitrile |
1,3-butadiene*3 |
| 2-chloro-1, 3-butadiene |
chloroprene *3 |
chlorotrifluoroethylene |
| dibenzocyclopentadiene |
9,10-dihydroanthracene |
indene |
| methyl methacrylate |
styrene |
tetrafluoroethylene*3 |
| vinyl acetate |
vinyl acetylene |
vinyl chloride |
| vinylidene chloride |
vinyl pyridine |
|
*2 - Uninhibited autopolymerizers should not
be stored over 24 hours (add polymerizer inhibitor).
*3 - When stored as a gas
c.
Testing for peroxides
The
recommended way to test for peroxides is through semi-quantitative analysis using peroxide
detection dip strips which are available from most lab equipment supply companies.
If the test strip indicates a concentration above 10 ppm, the chemical can not be used and
it should promptly sent for disposal through EH&S. Chemical that show no
peroxides can be reset as per their group schedule. Those that show the presence of
peroxides but below 10 ppm should be re-tested after 6 month or per their group schedule
whichever is the shorter time period. (additional details for testing and supply
source are given in the SOP documentation - link below)
d. Additional
information - Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Explosive Chemicals
The above
policy is summarized from the EH&S Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for managing
explosive chemicals. This SOP was compiled from many sources and takes a strong
conservative approach in the interest of health and safety of those that work with and
dispose of these chemicals.
Additional
details and information on other potentially explosive materials can be
reviewed by downloading the
Standard Operating
Procedure (SOP) for peroxide formers and explosive chemicals
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