Hazardous Waste Management by Cliff VanGuilder

Author:Cliff VanGuilder
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Hazardous Waste Management
ISBN: 9781683922292
Publisher: David Pallai
Published: 2018-10-02T04:00:00+00:00

The next case study is about a little-known chemical that becomes highly unstable and explosive when it is stored for a long time.

Case Study

Picric Acid Found in an Office Building

Picric acid [c6H2(NO2)3OH], also known as trinitrophenol, is an unstable acid used primarily as a chemical reagent and as a booster to detonate other, less sensitive explosives, such as tNt (trinitrotoluene). Other uses of picric acid have been as an antiseptic, a yellow dye, and in the synthesis of a powerful insecticide. picric acid was used in bombs and grenades in World War I.

The salts of picric acid can be shock and friction sensitive when this substance becomes crystallized. When a bottle of picric acid is stored for a long time and the acid crystallizes under the cap, an explosion can result from someone simply unscrewing the cover.

In one incident, a biological fisheries lab had used the yellow dye property of picric acid to mark the sides of fish during a study. the unused acid was then stored in a one gallon jug in the basement of an office building for several years. When the old bottle was discovered, it was in a shock-sensitive box, supported in all directions by springs. thankfully, the container was clearly labeled, and the workers inquired about the safety issues before disturbing the container. After inquiring and finding out about the acid’s explosive and unstable nature, a specialty waste management company was called in to safely remove the container.

This incident ended well; the container was safely removed from the building and was detonated in a safe location. had the bottle detonated inside the building, the explosive force would have likely caused considerable damage.

The hazardous waste generated in this case is D002 (see table 2.1 in chapter 2), because picric acid is corrosive, but should also be listed as a (D001) flammable solid.

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