ScienceHideout - 24-9-2011 at 15:53
Last time I arranged my chems, I (appropriately) put my toluene in my flammables cabinet instead of on the shelf where it was previously. When I
opened the cabinet yesterday to get some alcohol, I was overwhelmed by the smell of toluene. I decided to enclose the can (1L) in a ziplock bag and
put it back. However, I still notice the smell in my chem cabinet.
Any tips on containing and controlling toluene and its gases?
Bot0nist - 24-9-2011 at 17:33
I have had 1 liter of toluene in a metal bottle with a HDPE screw cap in my cupboard for about a year and have never noticed any leakage. Either your
container is not suitable for the solvent, or you spilled some down the side or something and it evaporated in your cabinet. Put it in a properly
sealed container and vent the cabinet of the lingering fumes.
ScienceHideout - 24-9-2011 at 18:21
My toluene was purchased in a metal can with a metal top. It has only been used a couple of times, and I haven't used it for a couple weeks. I got rid
of the fumes- but they always come back. The can is very tightly capped...
Bot0nist - 24-9-2011 at 18:25
Check for leaks or holes in the can. Put some Teflon thread tape on the male cap piece. Then wash the can with a damp soapy rag.
ScienceHideout - 25-9-2011 at 08:30
It doesn't appear to be leaking... I will try the PTFE...
Endimion17 - 25-9-2011 at 08:34
PTFE, always. It's the number one choice for just about anything.