Lab Safety: Answer to What's Wrong in This Picture #4

Possible Answers:

This compressed gas cylinder was found, as is, in a university research stockroom. As can be seen, this cylinder has rusted, presenting a chemical leak and exposure hazard. The deteriorated label doesn't permit identification of the contents, thus the range of potential hazards can't be narrowed down. By what's left of the label we can only assume it's hydrogen-something or another. Perhaps hydrogen gas, a flammable gas; hydrogen chloride, hydrogen bromide, or hydrogen flouride, which are corrosive gases; maybe even hydrogen cyanide, a poison gas? Many hundreds, even thousands of dollars may be spent to safely identify and properly dispose this small gas cylinder and contents.

For additional information, please contact University Safety and Assurances, x6339.

Updated May 21, 2008 by SAK