Potassium Dichromate

[Ian]

My (Acting) HT has just returned from HSC Marking, and told me that somebody told her that Potassium Dichromate is on the "Banned Chemicals" list. I know that we are not allowed to burn it anymore for the Volcano experiment, but has anybody else heard that it is a "Banned Chemical"? (Our senior students apparently use it as an indicator for one prac)

Cheers
Ian

[noona]

Thats news to me

[dime]

I can only go by what CSIS says (whether it is right or wrong) and not heresay. It is still on there for years 11 and 12.

[Labbie]

I DO NOT THINK IT HAS BEEN BANNED AS YET. Perhaps it is around the corner.

[Jazz]

if you visit Chem Supply webpage almost every chemical need EDU (end of user declaration)

[Graham Kemp]

I'm not aware of it being banned, but do treat it with all due care. It's fairly nasty stuff.

In addition to being a highly corrosive oxidizing agent (or because of that) Potassium Dichromate is also highly toxic and carcinogenous. Long term exposure can lead to skin damage (dermatitis), and it is also now known to be a substantial reproductive hazard.

... and it was once common laboratory practice to mix it with sulfuric acid to make 'chromic acid', for use as a glassware cleaner for ... just about everything. It was very effective, but sheesh! The things we once exposed ourselved to.

Restrictions on chemical usage is getting tighter, and that is somewhat sensible, but it does make our job harder. But safer in the long run.

[Ian]

Thanks All
I am glad that I don't have to get rid of it just yet, as it is still occasionally used.

I did check the CSIS manual, Dime, but my SCIS was copyrighted in 1999, and still only has the info that was in it in 1999. Does anyone know if there is a new CSIS out yet? I guess the CSIS info expires after 5 years like everything else!

Cheers
Ian

[lada]

I have CSIS manual from 2000, so VERY outdated, but have not received any updates either.
Lada

[dime]

I checked the online version of CSIS Ian and it was still there. I assume the online version is up to date.

[Ian]

On-Line CSIS? Where do I find that? Or is it a DET thing?

Ian

[Labbie]

Mr A Smith is working on the updateing the CSIS, should be out next year, so we are told.

[smiley]

I recall that Yes, we're not supposed to burn it any more in volcanoes, but no it's not banned and is still OK to use for Seniors.

[Ian]

Ah yes! and it made such GREAT volcanos too! We would make a mound of Dichromate, and put a depression in the top. Fill the depression with potassium permanganate and ignite it with glycerine. The permanganate would give lots of lovely purple flames and then the orange dichromate would quadruple in size as it burned to produce a lovely ash cinder cone. Very impressive, untill we all got cancer!! (well, I have managed to escape the cancer so far. Touch wood! I sometimes wonder how I am still alive, thinking of the things we used to do!.)

Those were the days!

Ian

[dime]

Yep, the online CSIS is a DET thing.

[Ian]

Yep, the online CSIS is a DET thing.

Drat! Foiled again!

Ian