It was definitely the TFA but it also seems the researcher was doing a pretty large scale cleavage to be using 36ml of TFA.  There should have been an SOP in place regarding scale up procedures Š did the researcher go from using 1ml TFA solution to the larger scale or do it gradually?  Was a syringe the proper way to do this at that scale or should an addition funnel been used?  Just think you might want to look into scale up procedures related to this accident.
-Cathy

Catherine R. Brennan
Chemical Hygiene Officer
CB#1650
Environment, Health and Safety
1120 Estes Drive Extension
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC  27599-1650
(919) 843-5331
(919) 962-0227 FAX

From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of Don Abramowitz
Sent: Friday, September 24, 2010 10:23 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] BOC clevage safety protocols

Seems to me the injury was primarily a function of the TFA (trifluoroacetic acid), which is a pretty aggressive corrosive material.    I would think generic protocols for handling corrosives would be applicable.

My questions are:   To what extent do users understand what's in the cocktail?  If the mixture has a name of its own, does awareness of its hazardous properties get lost along the way?

                                            Don

Donald Abramowitz
Environmental Health & Safety Officer
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, PA

________________________________
My first question is: where was the PPE?

As for a written protocol, I would include working within a VBE
(vent. balance enclosure), gloves and safety glasses...

I am certain others here have more feedback...

Sincerely,
george

George D. McCallion
Chemist III
Chemical Process Research & Development
Johnson Matthey Pharmaceutical Materials
2003 Nolte Drive
West Deptford, NJ 08066-1742
Voice: 856.384.7255
Fax: 856.384.7186
E-Mail: medchem**At_Symbol_Here**comcast.net
************************************************************************
*********

On Sep 23, 2010, at 9:38 PM, Russell Vernon wrote:

> Dear Fellow Chemists,
>
> A researcher at one of our sister campuses was using a needless
> syringe filled with a solution of 36 mL TFA, 2 mL thioanisole, 1.2
> mL ethane dithiol, and 0.8 mL anisole, She inadvertently expelled a
> portion which impacted her elbow. She very quickly washed the
> exposure with copious water. The skin became seriously discolored
> and it is likely the treatment will include skin grafts.
>
> This isnÕt my area of expertise but from what I read it is a common
> protecting group cleavage cocktail for protein synthesis.
>
> If any of you have any written procedures that would improve the
> process we would appreciate getting a copy.
>
> Sincerely,
> -Russ
>
>
> Russell Vernon, Ph.D.
> Research Safety
> Environmental Health & Safety
> University of California, Riverside
> 900 University Ave
> Riverside, CA 92521
> www.ehs.ucr.edu
> russell.vernon**At_Symbol_Here**ucr.edu
>
> Direct (951) 827-5119
> Admin (951) 827-5528
> Fax (951) 827-5122

Previous post   |  Top of Page   |   Next post