Chemicals in small quantities

Susan White <smwhitewhite [at] aim__com> writes

>As a private conservator I frequently find myself in need of small
>quantities of chemicals ...
>...
>Any thoughts from the community about this problem?  Wondering if we
>could set up some kind of online "craigslist" exchange program or a
>central storehouse where conservators could send unused chemicals as
>donations to other conservators.  I don't know how this could be
>done, and done safely and in accordance with federal laws regarding
>the shipping of chemicals, but if such a program could be set up,
>even informally, it could save the community quite a bit of money.

Chemicals in small quantity can be ordered from

    ChemService
    <URL:http://www.chemservice.com>.

The larger issue with the idea of sharing chemicals are: shipping
these materials, particularly the hazardous ones, is difficult. And,
at least in the US, once you receive a chemical from a manufacturer
or supplier, it magically changes from a chemical to hazardous
waste. So, technically, you would be shipping hazardous waste
without the proper paperwork and the other conservators would be
unregistered hazardous waste collection sites. This is not a
situation you want to be caught in.

Sharing chemical orders with local colleagues is a great idea as
long as the chemicals can be transported safely and legally.

When transporting hazardous materials for work purposes (in the US),
one is covered by MOT--Materials of Trade--rules. Rule 3 states that
transportation "[b]y a private motor carrier (including vehicles
operated by a rail carrier) in direct support of a principal
business other than transportation by a motor vehicle." This allows
painters to carry paint thinner and plumbers to carry tanks of
acetylene without being registered haulers as is required of
shippers of these materials. Rule 2, interestingly enough, allows
everyone to drive a vehicle with perhaps 10 gallons of highly
flammable, potentially contaminated with carcinogen, mixed organic
solvent (gasoline) in their fuel tanks.

When transporting hazardous materials (for work purposes), the
conservator should make sure that the materials are packaged well
and safely. Consider what would happen in a car accident. Proper
bracing of the materials during transport, keeping incompatible
materials separated, and thinking about sunlight and items getting
hot in a car or truck must be considered. Traveling with a full set
of MSDSs is highly recommended.

Chris Stavroudis
Paintings Conservator
Los Angeles, CA

: 4 Mar 2011
: Susan White <smwhitewhite [at] aim__com>
: Chemicals in small quantities
>

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 24:43
                 Distributed: Wednesday, March 16, 2011
                       Message Id: cdl-24-43-001
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