pec

5 Potentially Explosive Chemicals A. Introduction Explosive chemicals pose a serious threat to the health and safety of laboratory personnel, emergency responders, building occupants, chemical waste handlers, and disposal companies. There are two categories of explosive chemicals. The first is manufactured explosive chemicals (e.g., TNT, explosive bolts, bullets, blasting caps, and fireworks). The other is potentially explosive chemicals (PECs). PECs are chemicals that are not designed to be used as explosives but may oxidize, decompose, polymerize, become contaminated, dry out or destabilize, and subsequently become explosive when subjected to heat, light, friction or mechanical shock. In addition to personnel injury and property damage from explosions, the cost of disposing of unknown and/or out-dated PECs is exorbitant. Iowa State University uses a contractor to remotely open and stabilize PECs. Costs for this service can range from $2000 to $6000 per event. Sections B and C provide users with general storage and handling guidelines for PECs. Detailed information on two subsets of PECs are formed in sections D through E. • Peroxide forming chemicals such as ethyl ether and THF (Section D). • di and tri nitro compounds such as Picric acid and dinitrophenyl hydrazine. (Section E)