November 28, 2024, 04:46:45 PM
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Topic: Accidental synthesis using floor debris and NaOH  (Read 2996 times)

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Offline causticsurprise

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Accidental synthesis using floor debris and NaOH
« on: March 11, 2008, 04:55:11 PM »
A few days ago I attempted to remove some paint from a floor using (hot, concentrated) Caustic Soda. Alas, I never thought to clean the floor first,
and something else, possibly dropped on the surface by the builders, reacted
with it to give something that emits eye-burning vapours even in tiny quantities.
I can't really tell if it has a smell as this is masked by the smell of dissolved
alleged-HDPE bottle.

Anyone have any ideas what this chemical might be ? Or any good suggestions as to how I could find out ?

Offline agrobert

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Re: Accidental synthesis using floor debris and NaOH
« Reply #1 on: March 11, 2008, 09:10:08 PM »
Something chlorinated possibly?  Why would you clean with NaOH?
In the realm of scientific observation, luck is only granted to those who are prepared. -Louis Pasteur

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