Date: Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:18:21 -0500
Reply-To: "Harry J. Elston" <helston**At_Symbol_Here**FGI.NET>
Sender: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
From: "Harry J. Elston" <helston**At_Symbol_Here**FGI.NET>
Subject: Re: Benzene spill in Academic laboratory
Comments: To: "George D. McCallion"
Two things:

First - this is a quick news story and details may or may not be true, and  if not - don't expect it to be corrected in the press.

Second - Benzene is not the chemical equivalent of "Satan" nor is it highly acutely toxic.  It is a carcinogen, and as such needs to be properly handled and contained. There are applications where benzene is the solvent of choice both in the academic research laboratory and in industry.  It can be used safely:  Likewise, it can be spilled and otherwise mishandled as well.

Harry

-----Original Message-----
>From: "George D. McCallion" 
>Sent: Jul 10, 2009 7:25 AM
>To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
>Subject: [DCHAS-L] Benzene spill in Academic laboratory
>
>Why benzene is still used I have no idea...
>
>http://www.kyw1060.com/pages/4770870.php?contentType=4&contentId=4319264
>
>Cheers!
>
>George D. McCallion
>Chemist III
>Johnson Matthey Pharmaceutical Materials
>Chemical Process Research & Development
>2003 Nolte Drive
>West Deptford, NJ 08066-1742
>Voice: 856.384.7255
>Fax: 856.384.7186
>E-Mail: mccalgd**At_Symbol_Here**jmusa.com
>************************************************************************ 
>*********

Harry J. Elston, Ph.D., CIH
Principal
Midwest Chemical Safety, LLC
www.midwestchemsafety.com

Editor, Journal of Chemical Health & Safety
http://membership.acs.org/c/chas/

Nationalized health care:  All the efficiency of FEMA with all
the compassion of the IRS

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