646-1762 or e-mail peroxide forming chemicals · q check peroxide-forming solvents for peroxides...

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Peroxide Forming Chemicals Volume 3 / Issue 4 UNDER THE MICROSCOPE The Dartmouth College laboratory safety newsletter Contact EHS for specific ques4ons, 646-1762 or e-mail [email protected] A significant number of laboratory solvents can undergo autoxidation under normal storage conditions to form unstable and potentially dangerous peroxide by-products. This process is catalyzed by light and heat and occurs when susceptible materials are exposed to atmospheric oxygen. Molecular structure is the primary factor relating to a material’s potential for hazardous peroxide formation. General Handling Considerations for Peroxidizable Solvents: q Check peroxide-forming solvents for peroxides prior to dis<lla<on or evapora<on q Solvents containing an inhibitor such as BHT should be used when the presence of the stabilizing species does not interfere with intended applica<on q Uninhibited materials should be stored with care and frequently checked for peroxide forma<on q Purchase in limited quan<<es and older material should be used first q Store away from light and heat with <ghtly secured caps and labeled with dates of receipt and opening q Periodic tes<ng to detect peroxides should be performed and recorded

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Page 1: 646-1762 or e-mail Peroxide Forming Chemicals · q Check peroxide-forming solvents for peroxides prior to dis

PeroxideFormingChemicals

Volume 3 / Issue 4

UNDER THE MICROSCOPE The Dartmouth College laboratory safety newsletter

ContactEHSforspecificques4ons,[email protected]

A significant number of laboratory solvents can undergo autoxidation under normal storage conditions to form unstable and potentially dangerous peroxide by-products. This process is catalyzed by light and heat and occurs when susceptible materials are exposed to atmospheric oxygen. Molecular structure is the primary factor relating to a material’s potential for hazardous peroxide formation.

General Handling Considerations for Peroxidizable Solvents: q  Checkperoxide-formingsolventsforperoxidespriortodis<lla<onorevapora<onq  SolventscontaininganinhibitorsuchasBHTshouldbeusedwhenthepresenceofthe

stabilizingspeciesdoesnotinterferewithintendedapplica<onq  Uninhibitedmaterialsshouldbestoredwithcareandfrequentlycheckedforperoxide

forma<onq  Purchaseinlimitedquan<<esandoldermaterialshouldbeusedfirstq  Storeawayfromlightandheatwith<ghtlysecuredcapsandlabeledwithdatesof

receiptandopeningq  Periodictes<ngtodetectperoxidesshouldbeperformedandrecorded

Page 2: 646-1762 or e-mail Peroxide Forming Chemicals · q Check peroxide-forming solvents for peroxides prior to dis

EHSStaffMaureen, Michael, Katrina, Sandy, Ryan, Jeff, Caitlyn, Molly, Jason !

Additional information on peroxide formers: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~ehs/essential-info/hazard_peroxide.html

EHS main page: hJp://www.dartmouth.edu/~ehs/

Peroxide Detection 1.  PeroxideTest

Strips2.  Potassium

IodideIndicator

Interpreting the test results o  100 ppm is widely used

as a control point. However, if peroxides are detected at more than 25 ppm, contact EHS.

o  Disposal is recommended if peroxides are detected and the material will not be used immediately.

EHS has peroxide former labels for identifying materials and tracking peroxide testing…