[Histonet] Picric Acid

[E. Wayne Johnson]

Yes, Picric Acid was once a popular explosive and differs from TNT only 
in the substitution of -OH with -CH3 in the case of TNT.

The Halifax explosion was dramatic.

I understand the snark-hunting zeal of regulatory bureaucrats.  I once 
upon a time had a job in such a group.

We keep nitric acid and sulfuric acid and glycerine.  Someone down the 
hall has some kieselguhr.
But we aren't much worried that those are going to get together and 
cause a problem in the lab
or on the number 11 bus.

My question is this:

Are there any documented cases of picric acid explosions in a histopath 
laboratory or any other laboratory
due to dried out picric acid?  (please note that we do keep ours wet)

There is something like over a 100 years experience with picric acid in 
histopathology.  Surely there was some anecdote
of an explosion somewhere if there really is a hazard.




On 9/20/2012 4:01 AM, Goins, Tresa wrote:
> A WEB site just for historical interest: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halifax_Explosion
>
> We continue to use picric acid in the lab, but only as an aqueous or saturated solution.
>
> The chemical safety guys came out and carefully removed the bottle of "moistened" picric acid that we had on the shelf for several years - they were very excited as it was no longer "moist" - Montana is very dry.
>
> Tresa
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Ingles Claire
> Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2012 1:17 PM
> To: Geoff; histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: RE: [Histonet] RE: mouse testis in Bouins/Picric acid hazzards
>
> Yes, but why take the chance. There are also other chemicals in the lab the picric acid can interact with to make it even more volitile than it was to begin with. Dynamite other explosives have the same problem. The older it gets the more degraded and unstable it becomes. One never knows if or when. I'd like to avoid traumatically amputating my arms if possible, thank you.
> Claire
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu on behalf of Geoff
> Sent: Mon 9/17/2012 9:26 AM
> To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: Re: [Histonet] RE: mouse testis in Bouins/Picric acid hazzards
>
>
>
> I am with Wayne on this one. While I have not tried to make it explode it does seem to me that the dangers are hyped beyond reason.
> Years ago an old bottle of picric acid would be discovered in a high school chemistry lab. Horrors! Call the bomb squad! So it was taken out to a large field, packed with explosives and BOOM! Of course it exploded, it was surrounded with explosives.
>
> Geoff
>
> On 9/14/2012 8:58 PM, E. Wayne Johnson wrote:
>    
>> What danger of Picric Acid are you concerned with?
>>
>>      
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Histonet mailing list
> Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Histonet mailing list
> Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
>
>