Hello everyone,

I wanted to follow up on my previous email regarding the strong odor noticed on the second floor, old wing of FRNY.

The odor was due to several samples (not toxic) being overheated in an oven. The researcher performed the same experiment multiple times in the past, but at lower temperature. Today was the first time when the experiment was performed at elevated temperatures. The oven temperature was set to 180 C, and after placing the samples in the oven, the researcher monitored the experiment for 15 minutes and then left the lab. The samples were overheated and a strong odor was noticed on the corridor. The University Fire Department was called to respond to the incident, as the researcher, or the safety officer for the lab were not available. At the time the PUFD responded to this incident, the temperature in the oven was above 200 C.

The fire department responded promptly, unplugged the oven, opened the windows and monitored the oven and the lab until the oven cooled down. The windows were left open to ensure proper ventilation of the lab and to aid odor dissipation.

Lesson learned: Never leave an experiment unattended after you make changes to the reaction parameters, especially if it is the first time you perform the experiment with the new conditions. Perform a MOC, identify possible hazards and implement controls that will eliminate/reduce the hazards. If you work with an oven equipped with an analog temperature set system, make sure this is calibrated. Use the calibration curve to set the temperature or have other means to read the actual temperature in the oven.  

Thank you for your commitment to safety!

Gabriela

On behalf of the ChE Safety Committee

__________________

Gabriela Nagy, PhD

Industrial Education Director

ChE Safety Committee Chair

Davidson School of Chemical Engineering

Room FRNY G041D

Purdue University

Tel: (765)-496-1710

E-mail: nagyg@purdue.edu