Laboratory Refrigerator/Freezer Safety March 5 th 2013 Hao Li

Outline  Odor Problems  Flammable or Explosive Hazard

Outline Odor Problems  Lab refrigerators are used to store volatile, noxious and air sensitive materials and it is not uncommon for the atmosphere inside the unit to be saturated with chemical vapors. Over time, these vapors can penetrate porous surfaces and lead to odor problems. Similarly, material from spills or leaking containers can impregnate surfaces that then give off odors long after the original material is cleaned up.  Use gloves and gas marks if possible.  Never store food or beverages in laboratory refrigerators.  Use secondary containers to prevent spilling.

Outline Flammable or Explosive Hazard  Accumulated vapors, e.g., ethyl ether, arising from chemicals stored in refrigerators present a flammable or explosive hazard due to the in-built ignition sources in the refrigerators. Loss of electrical power can produce extremely hazardous situations. Fire occurred in 2006 in Depart of Chemistry, Wuhan University.  A Flask containing ethyl ether was put in a household refrigerator without being sealed.  A number of bottles of DIBAL were stored in the same refrigerator.

Outline In Order to Prevent Explosion  Ensure that the chemicals stored in the refrigerator are compatible.  All containers placed in a refrigerator/ freezer should be completely sealed or capped and safely positioned/securely placed. Containers should not be capped with aluminum foil, corks, and ungreased glass stoppers, or parafilm. X X

Outline In Order to Prevent Explosion  Household refrigerators are not recommended for laboratory use.  Label all the compounds and inform the lab-mates what is going on in the refrigerator.  Remember that power outages and technology failures can cause internal temperatures to rise.