United States
Environmental Protection
Agency .
OSWER(5101)
EPA-550-B-94-Q01
Series 8, Number 4
June 1994
EXPLOSION HAZARD FROM ETHYL
ETHER IN DISASTER HOSPITAL KITS
(Ethyl Ether synonyms: diethyl ether,
ether, ethyl oxide) (CAS# 60-29-7)
PROBLEM
Ethyl ether was distributed to states in the
1960s and 1970s as part of civil defense
hospital kits. It was originally intended for
use as an anesthetic. The ethyl ether
remaining in the hospital kits should later
have been disposed. Much of it wasn't. The
ethyl ether now presents an explosive and
toxic hazard.
Ethyl ether auto-oxidizes to form explosive
polymeric peroxides. It also tends to absorb
and react with oxygen from the air to form
unstable peroxides that may detonate with
extreme violence when disturbed by heat,
shock, or friction. An 8-ounce can or vial of
ethyl ether in which peroxides have formed
has the potential explosive force of one stick
of dynamite. •
In the 1980s, the federal government
issued orders to dispose of the hospital
disaster kits. However, in some cases,
local authorities did not dispose of the
kits, but had the kits stored in various
locations, including public buildings. EPA
Region 1 recently discovered that of eight
hospital kits recorded as having been dis- •
posed, six kits were still in storage.
Authorities have speculated that ethyl
ether from the hospital kits may have
caused several fires of unknown origin in
municipal buildings across the country.
Although no explosions associated with
ethyl ether have been reported/be on the
lookout for old hospital disaster kits con-
taining ethyl ether in your area. • "• '
HAZARD AWARENESS
Pure Ethyl Ether
In addition to being extremely flammable
and potentially explosive; ethyl ether is
also toxic.
Ethyl ether's boiling point, 94.3° F, is an
indication of its volatility. Its low flash
point, -42° F, signals that it can be ignited
easily when mixed with air. Indeed, such
mixtures can explode when ignited if the
concentration by volume of ethyl ether in
air is between 1.9 percent and 36.5 per-
cent. Hence, sources of ignition like heat,
flames, and sparks must be eliminated -
where ethyl ether is stored.
Ethyl ether can affect the body if it is
inhaled, swallowed, or comes in contact
with the eyes or skin. Ethyl ether is listed
by the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (29 CFR 1910.1000) as
having a permissible exposure level for a
40-hour work-week of 400 parts per mil-
lion in air/ Short term overexposure to
ethyl ether may cause irritation of the
eyes, nose, and throat. It is also a depres-'
sant of the central nervous system and
may cause dizziness, stupor, nausea;
drowsiness, unconsciousness, or even
death. >
Old Ethyl Ether
The greatest danger from the caches of
ethyl ether recently rediscovered is that of
explosion when attempts are made to
move them. The longer the ethyl ether
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Explosion Hazard From Ether In Disaster Hospital Kits
June 1994
has been stored, the
greater the explosion
hazard as peroxides
build up. Peroxides
that are formed in the
athyl ether may deto-
nate if they are jarred
or stressed, for exam-
ple when opening the
container lid.
Since peroxides form
in ethyl ether exposed
to air, a partly filled
container or one that
has been opened is
more dangerous than a
filled, unopened one.
Hence, prompt
removal and destruc-
tion of aged ethyl
ether by trained per-
sonnel is essential.
IDENTIFYING
ETHYL ETHER
The old ethyl ether
uncovered recently is
typically contained in
8-ounce screw top cans
that also have a remov-
able red elastomeric
stopper in a spout.
Both the cans and
cases are typically
labeled.
SEARCHING
FOR ETHYL
ETHER
When the presence of
ethyl ether is suspected,
a qualified team should
conduct the search: fire
fighters, police, bomb
squad, and emergency
medical services, as
well as local and state
emergency manage-
ment personnel. In the
interim between dis-
covery and removal,
access to the ethyl ether
should be restricted, so
that unauthorized per-
sonnel, including
untrained workers,
children, pets, and curi-
ous visitors do not
inadvertently cause the
ethyl ether to explode
or expose themselves to
the fumes. Since ethyl
ether stored a long time
may be shock sensitive,
the team must take
extensive precautions
to prevent harm to peo-
ple when removing and
disposing of the ethyl
ether.
DISPOSAL OF
ETHYL ETHER
You should treat old
ethyl ether as an explo-
sive, even if you do not
believe it was exposed
to air. Only personnel
specifically trained for
the job should dispose
of old ethyl ether.
Possible methods of
disposal include deto-
nation from a distance,
controlled incineration,
or dilution with certain
solvents. Such treat-
ment of ethyl ether
must be in compliance
with the Resource
Conservation and
Recovery Act. Ethyl
ether may. not be put
into either a household
waste landfill or a haz-
ardous waste landfill.
For information on
how to dispose of
ethyl ether safely, you
should contact your
state pollution control
or environmental man-
agement agency. The
state agency will be
able to give you advice
on what methods of
disposal are allowed
under state law and
what permits are nec-
essary to dispose of
ethyl ether. The state
agency may also be
able to direct you to
companies qualified to
handle this type of job.
INFORMATION
RESOURCES
The ethyl ether distrib-
uted decades ago as
components of disaster
hospital kits and still
being stored is the
responsibility of the
local and state govern-
ments that accepted it.
EPA can assist those
responsible for dispos-
ing of it with advice
and information.
i
Also, State Emergency
Response Commis-
sions and Local
Emergency Planning
Committees may be
helpful in dealing with
old ethyl ether.
To learn more about
the hazards of ethyl
ether and correct meth-
ods of handling and
disposing of it, contact
the hotline listed
below.
Emergency Planning
and Community
Right-to-Know
Information Hpdine
(800) 535-0202
Monday through Friday
8:00 am to 7:30 pm
(eastern time)
Chemical Emergency
Preparedness and
Prevention Office
US Environmental
Protection Agency
(5101) ;
401M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
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