Organic Compound, Essay Example

It is necessary to know how to clean organic peroxide spills and be able to identify them if their chemical identity is unknown. In a case study reported on the internet, an undeclared shipment of hazardous materials spilled in the cargo compartment of an aircraft on a Northwest Airlines flight leaving from Orlando, Florida. Two gallons of the 35% peroxide solution in water, with corrosive properties, reportedly spilled in the cargo compartment (National Transportation Safety Board, 1998). This leak remained unnoticed by the flight staff until the plane landed in Memphis and luggage was removed from the cargo area. A total of 14 people were sent to a clinic to be treated for their exposure and there were more than $40,000 in property damages. One employee claimed that he had noticed the spill initially, but failed to report it because he believed it to be water.

Although the peroxide substance was identified as hydrogen peroxide, the spill could have been potentially harmful to the passengers on board; hydrogen peroxide is a very strong oxidizing agent that is able to oxidize all organic compounds. Although this didn’t happen in this case, it is important to know how to clean this type of chemical reaction. Reactions that form organic peroxides must be cleaned up immediately to prevent harm via inhalation; in addition, exposure of this compound to heat and other chemical materials should be avoided. Organic peroxides form when the O-O bond of the perester breaks and forms free radicals. This then perpetuates the chain reaction although the reaction occasionally terminates to form the compound. Spills should be contained by first spreading an inert absorbent material such as sawdust and then wetting this mixture with water. This should then be swept up and put into a polyethylene bag for temporary storage and eventual disposal. The spill area should then be washed with surfactant and water to remove any trace chemical that may still be present. Proper ventilation should be allowed to prevent the adverse effects of hazardous fumes (Arkema, 2007).

References

Arkema. (2007). Organic Peroxide Spill Clean Up. Retrieved from http://www.arkema-inc.com/pdf/orgper/SpillCleanUp.pdf

National Transportation Safety Board. (1998). Hazardous Materials Accident Brief: Accident no. DCA-99-MZ-001. Retrieved from http://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/fulltext/HZB0001.htm