People working with NUNC brand cryotubes might want to examine the closures carefully to see if they work correctly (see the note below from David Silberman, Health and Safety, Stanford)
David Silberman wrote:
Dear Colleagues,
We have had about four "explosive" incidents involving the NUNC brand of CryoTubes since July. It appears to some veteran users of these vials that the threading of the current batch does not seem to be able to hold onto the cap which have "shot off" during these explosions. Other vials, including the Nalgene Cryoware cryoenic vial appear to have more substantial threads. We have not had any explosions with these. While we have used the NUNC brand in the past without incident, I am concerned that either one of our labs have a "bad batch" or the product has "gone downhill" recently.
If any of you have add similar problems, please let me know. You can write directly to me if you wish:
silberman@stanford.edu
The Warning label reads: Do not use Cryotubes in the liquid phase of liquid nitrogen unless correctly sealed in Nunc Cryoflex Tubing. Improper use may cause entrapment of liquefied nitrogen inside the vial and lead to pressure build-up, resulting in possible explosion or biohazard release. Use appropriate safety procedures as outlined in the Nunc International Cyropreservation Manual when handling and disposing of the Cryo Tubes.
We checked with the people who have had tubes explode and they have verified correct handling -- contents not in liquid phase -- vapor phase only.
Thanks for your help.
David
Packaging Information:
NUNC(with trademark logo)
CryoTube Vials
1.8ml
Made in Denmark
Nunc A/S - Kamstrupvej 90 - PO Box 280
DK-4000 Roskilde - Denmark
Tel: 45 4631 2000
Fax: 45 4631 2175
E-mail: infociety@nunc.dk
www.nuncbrand.com
Apogent
Lot 084188 2010 08
Cat No 377267
David H. Silberman
Director, Health and Safety Programs
Stanford University School of Medicine
Health and Safety... It's more than just compliance.
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