The Evolution of LSC Cocktails
and Safety
Jock Thomson
Global Product Manager, Cocktails & Vials
LSC Solvents
Evolution Time Line
300
LAB
DIN/PXE
Flash Point (°F)
250
200
ROW=149°F
150
Pseudocumene
100
USA=100°F
Xylene
Dioxane
50
Toluene
Benzene
0
1950
1955
1960
1965
1970
1975
1980
1985
1990
Where were we in the early days?
1950 - 1960
Aromatic solvents
(benzene, toluene, anisole, mesitylene, ethylbenzene)
Aromatic solvents + co-solvents
[Toluene + (ethanol, methanol, ethoxyethanol, or 1,4dioxane)]
1959 - First “real” LSC Cocktail
Brays Solution (in Dioxan solvent)
60g/Lt Naphthalene
100mL/Lt Methanol
20mL/Lt ethylene glycol
4g/Lt PPO
0.2g/Lt POPOP
What happened in the 60’s?
1960 - 1970
Gelling cocktails for suspension counting
“Fumed Silica” (Cab-O-Sil) in Toluene/PPO/POPOP
Aluminum stearate in Toluene/PPO/POPOP
Thixcin-R in Toluene/PPO/POPOP
1964
First “modern” cocktail from (Patterson & Greene)
1 vol Triton X-100
2 vols Toluene
5g/Lt PPO
0.1g/Lt POPOP
What happened in the 60’s?
1960 - 1970 (continued)
Other LSC solvents
(ortho-, meta-, para- and mixed isomer xylene)
(pseudocumene - 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene)
Other LSC fluors
(Dimethyl-POPOP- more soluble than POPOP)
(bis-MSB - even more soluble than DM-POPOP)
1965
Real “modern” cocktails appeared on the market
Insta-Gel & Pico-Fluor, (from Packard)
NE-233 & NE-250, (Nuclear Enterprises)
Aquasol (New England Nuclear)
PCS (Amersham)
The explosive 70’s
1970 - 1980
Rapid profileration of products and companies
involved:-
Companies
USA
Amersham
JT Baker
LKB (Wallac)
ICN
National Diagnostics (ND)
New England Nuclear (NEN)
Packard
RPI
International
Amersham
LKB (Wallac)
Roth
Lumac
Packard
Zinsser
The explosive 70’s
1970 - 1980
Products
Amersham
JT Baker
LKB (Wallac)
ICN
ND
NEN
Packard
RPI
Roth
Zinsser
ACS, PCS, OCS
DynaGel, Aqualyte, Maxifluor
LumaGel, AquaLuma, RiaLuma, LipoLuma,
Betamax, Aquamix, Cytoscint
Ultrafluor, Monofluor, Hydrofluor, Dimiscint
Aquasol, Aquassure, Biofluor, Atomlight
Insta-Gel, Pico-Fluor, Hionic-Fluor, Insta-Fluor
Safety-Count, RiaSolve, 3a70, 4a20, 3a20
Szintigel, Rotiszint 2200, Rotiszint Mini
Quickszint 1, Quickszint 212, Quickszint 1000
Safety in the 80’s?
1980 - 1990
The New “SAFER” Solvent Revolution
New high flash point solvents “discovered”
LAB
Linear alkyl benzene
(raw material for dodecylbenzene sulphonate
production)
DIN
Di-isopropylnaphthalene
(base solvent for dye used in carbonless copy
paper manufacture)
PXE
Phenylxylylethane
(solvent developed as alternative for PCB’s
used in transformer fluids)
Safety in the 80’s?
1980 - 1990
The New “SAFER” Cocktails
1984 - First “real” Safer Cocktail (Opti-Fluor)
Packard
Wallac
ICN
ND
Beckman
RPI
Zinsser
Lumac
Ultima Gold (DIN), Opti-Fluor (LAB)
OptiPhase Hi-Safe (DIN)
EcoLume & EcoLite (LAB+PXE)
EcoScint (PXE)
ReadySafe (PXE)
Bio-Safe (LAB)
AquaSafe & QuickSafe (DIN)
LumaSafe (PXE)
Environmental concerns in the 90’s?
1990 - 2000
The Marketing Hype
It's odd how many chemicals that you have used for
years were always in question of biodegradability and
proper disposal.
However, suddenly without any change in formulation
these same products have recently been self proclaimed
"Environmentally friendly",
"Biodegradable",
"Drain Safe" or
"E.P.A. approved."
90’s Marketing
Supplier A
Cocktail A has an ideal formulation that renders it
non-hazardous, yet maintains excellent counting
characteristics.
Most cocktails have some warnings on them
that this product is hazardous. The solvent in
XxxxxXxxx has been tested and found to be nonhazardous. It is non-flammable and has a high
vapor pressure so fumes are not released into
the……...
90’s Marketing
Cocktail A Container (reverse)
Irritating to eyes and skin. In case of contact
with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of
water and seek medical advice.
i
Harmful/Irritant label
It’s now 2003
How far have we come !!!!
Are we any Safer????
Non-Hazardous ??
Non-hazardous is listed as harmless or safe.
What is the definition of SAFE?
Free from harm or risk.
Secure from threat of danger, harm or loss.
Not threatening danger.
Harmless.
Non-Hazardous ??
The correct term to use is SAFER, i.e.
“Safer than the tradition or classical
solvents such as Toluene, Xylene and
Pseudocumene”.
No chemical can be properly classified
as SAFE.
Low Toxicity
What is meant by TOXICITY?
The toxicity of a substance is its
capacity to cause injury to a living
system.
In other words, if you know the toxicity
of a substance, you know "how
poisonous"it is.
Current Information (2003)
Supplier B
Cocktail B is a unique formulation which is
environmentally safe*, non-toxic and
biodegradable possessing exceptional water and
salt holding characteristics.
Cocktail C is a non-toxic, non-hazardous, nonflammable, biodegradable liquid scintillation
counting solution.
* Environmentally safe in accordance with EPA regulations
(Resources Conservation and Recovery Act Title 40, CFR
260-263)
Current Information (2003)
Supplier B- MSDS (for Cocktails B&C)
Composition Information:
These liquid scintillation cocktails are classified as non
hazardous, in accordance with EPA regulations:
Resources Conservation and Recovery Act, CFR Title 40,
Part 261.20 to 261.24.
Health Hazards:
The toxicological properties of this compound have not
been thoroughly investigated. Possibly toxic via oral,
inhalation or absorption.
Signs and Symptoms of Exposure:
Unknown. May include moderate to severe erythema
(redness) and moderate edema (raised skin), nausea,
vomiting, headache.
PerkinElmer MSDS (Safe or Safer???)
Ultima Gold is a safer liquid scintillation cocktail
for a wide range of …..
PerkinElmer MSDS for Ultima Gold
Hazards Identification
Symbol Xi
Special Risk for People and the Environment
Irritating to eyes and skin
R36/R38
Avoid contact with eyes
S25
HMIS Hazard Code Ratings
Health
Flammability
Reactivity
Personal Protection
1
1
1
B
Ultima Gold MSDS
(Low Toxicity or Non-Toxic???)
Di-isopropylnaphthalene
Ingestion: The LD50 (oral) for rats is
5600 mg/kg
Eye:
Non-irritating
Skin:
Non-irritating
Toxicokinetics: Non-accumulative
Mutagenicity: Non-mutagenic
Carcinogenicity: Non-carcinogenic
Teratogenicity: Non-teratogenic
Ethoxylated alkylphenol
Ingestion: The LD50 (oral) for rats is
2000 mg/kg
Eye:
Irritating
Skin:
Irritating
Toxicokinetics: Non-accumulative
Mutagenicity: Non-mutagenic
Carcinogenicity: Non-carcinogenic
Teratogenicity: Non-teratogenic
Mono/di-phosphate ester
Ingestion: The LD50 (oral) for rats is 4940 mg/kg
Eye:
Irritating
Skin:
Irritating
Toxicokinetics: Non-accumulative
Mutagenicity:
Non-mutagenic
Carcinogenicity: Non-carcinogenic
Teratogenicity: Non-teratogenic
Low Toxicity
Safety Phrases (Mandatory???)
Clearly visible
hazard warnings
& safety phrases
MSDS (Ecology & Disposal???)
Ultima Gold (Packard MSDS)
Ecological Information
Ultima Gold has been tested for biodegradability
according to Test Method OECD 301E. Test
requirements were met, showing >70% DOC removal
within 28 days.
Disposal Considerations
Product/Packaging Recommendations
National and local legislation concerning the disposal of
waste materials must be complied with. Controlled
incineration is a recommended method of disposal for
the waste products.
What is Biodegradability?
It is the degradation or destruction of chemical
compounds by the biological action of living
organisms.
The overall process is oxidation, which breaks
down dead organic matter into simpler
components.
In this context we are referring to the microorganisms (bacteria) present in the various
environments receiving wastewater.
BIODEGRADABLE???
WHAT DOES IT REALLY MEAN?
USA
According to established ASTM (American
Society of Testing Material) procedures the
following is the definition of biodegradability: A
minimum of 40% of the original sample has been
decomposed to inert ingredients within twenty
eight (28) days.
BIODEGRADABLE???
WHAT DOES IT REALLY MEAN?
Europe
According to the OECD, Readily Biodegradable is an
arbitrary classification for chemicals that have
passed certain specified screening tests for ultimate
bidegradability; those tests are so stringent that such
compounds will rapidly and completely biodegrade in
a variety of aerobic environments.
To pass these screening tests the compound has to
show >70%DOC removal within 28 days.
(OECD = Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development)
[Test Method OECD 301 E = ISO Method 7827-1984]
Test Method OECD 301 E
(Ultima Gold)
Test Method OECD 301 E
Biodegradability
Supplier B
Cocktail B is a unique formulation which is
environmentally safe*, non-toxic and
biodegradable possessing exceptional water and
salt holding characteristics.
Cocktail C is a non-toxic, non-hazardous, nonflammable, biodegradable liquid scintillation
counting solution.
Biodegradability
Supplier B
Ecological Information
Chiral Phenyl Alkanes & Nonionic Surfactants
This product has been evaluated for RCRA characteristics and
does not meet the criteria of a hazardous waste if discarded in its
purchased form. Under RCRA is is the responsibility of the user
to determine, at the time of disposal, whether the product meets
the criteria for hazardous waste.
Proprietary Cosolvent
No information available.
Disposal Considerations
Observe all national, state, and local regulations regarding
disposal.
Biodegradability
Supplier B
Current Products described as
“….is a non-toxic, non-hazardous, non-flammable
biodegradable liquid scintillation counting solution.
Current MSDS
Toxicological Information
Not Available
Disposal Considerations
Incinerate or landfill as complies with state and local
laws.
PerkinElmer Statements
Disposal Considerations
Waste products may be disposed of by controlled
incineration. National and local legislation
concerning the disposal of waste materials must
be complied with.
We do not advocate drain disposal of cocktail
waste. Biodegradability information on
PerkinElmer cocktails is provided to ensure that in
the event of a small spillage, any waste that ends
up in the sewerage system will be biodegraded.
Classical vs. Safer LSC Solvents
¾ Classical Cocktails Toluene,Xylene,Pseudocumene
Χ Hazardous by inhalation
Χ Hazardous by skin absorption
Χ Irritating to skin and eyes
Χ High vapor pressure
Χ Low flash point (flammable)
¾ Newer Safer Cocktails - DIN, PXE, LAB
9 Low toxicity
9 Classified as harmless (for transport & storage)
9 Low vapor pressure
9 High flash point (non-flammable)
9 Biodegradable
SAFE ??
Is the word SAFE appropriate for LSC Cocktails?
Free from harm or risk.
Classified as “Irritating to eyes and skin”!!
Secure from threat of danger, harm or loss.
Avoid contact with eyes!!
Not threatening danger.
Hazard Code Rating 1 (Slight Health Hazard)
Harmless.
Could cause irritation
NO
So, How Safe is Safe????