Lessons Learned-Aluminum Waste Container Rupture

摘要

Researchers generally pay close attention to the hazards of highly reactive chemicals with which they are working for both the reaction and the quenching phases of an experiment. This is particularly true for reactive alkali metals such as sodium. However, after such highly reactive chemicals are experimentally quenched, researchers may become less cautious about the reaction byproducts. A rupture of a 4 L aluminum waste container and the release of corrosive chemical waste contents demonstrates the need to consider the reactivity of chemical waste with the container itself when packaging materials for disposal. In particular, institutions should have clear policies that metal containers should not be used for any corrosive or oxidizing chemical waste.