DOE/EH-0143P --- Issue No. 90-04 --- 04/90

Experts Caution Against the Use of Plastic
Containers with Oxidizing Agents

DOE Safety Note 89-1 (issued in April 1989) cautioned that plastic reagent bottles, which are used to store and dispense corrosive chemicals in some DOE laboratories, may deteriorate within a 6-month period. The specific incident referred to in the Safety Note involved a chemist who was burned by nitric acid while dispensing it from a polyethylene bottle that had developed a tiny pinhole. Recommended corrective actions included inspecting the bottles for fatigue lines prior to use and replacing the bottles at 6-month intervals.

Experts caution that using polyethylene bottles to store oxidizing agents is not a safe practice. Shugar and Baumann's Chemical Technican's Ready Reference Handbook (Second Edition) cautions that strong oxidizing agents, such as nitric acid, should not be stored in plastic containers because prolonged exposure to such agents causes embrittlement and failure of the plastic.

When safety experts for a major laboratory supply distributor were asked for their recommendations about using plastic bottles to store and dispense strong oxidizing agents, they recommended storing these materials in the containers they are shipped in.

According to these experts, using shipping containers to store oxidizing agents ensures that the proper container is being used. The containers that such materials are shipped in have good seals, the correct type of cap, proper labeling, etc. If materials must be transferred from a shipping container to another container, the experts recommend that transfer be made to a "like" container (e.g., glass to glass; plastic-clad glass to plastic-clad glass, etc.). They also stressed the importance of ensuring that labeling information from the shipping container is fully transferred to the new bottle.

Recommendations

The deterioration of bottles used to store and dispense strong chemicals may be a safety hazard in many DOE laboratories.. All DOE laboratories should refrain from using polyethylene bottles when storing and dispensing strong oxidizing agents, because prolonged exposure to such chemicals can cause embrittlement and failure. Instead, store these materials in their shipping containers. If chemicals must be transferred to a second container prior to storing them, the transfer should be made to a container of like kind (i.e., lass to glass; plastic-clad glass to plastic-clad glass, etc.) When transferring chemicals, remember that all containers must be labeled in accordance with Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Hazard Communications Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200(f). In addition, if polyethylene bottles are used to dispense reagents during laboratory activities, these bottles are to be inspected prior to use and replaced at regular intervals, not to exceed 6 months.

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