From: Joseph Biscardi
Date: February 3
Subject: February 2026 Safety Newsletter


Issue #22                                                                                        February 2026

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Correct Metal to Metal connection

Safety Moment- Teflon Tape Not Allowed on CGA  Connections

The gas valve to regulator connection is very precisely engineered metal-to metal connection. This metal threads are straight and create a tight seal, as opposed to common plumbing threads which are tapered threads and require teflon tape to create a tight seal. 
For this reason, teflon tape should NOT be used for regulator-to-valve connections. Doing so may cause the connection to leak or fail completely. Other piping and fitting connections may require tape depending on the thread type. And, the tank itself may be connected to the valve with teflon placed there by the manufacturer of the tank.
As always, the authority on making that connection properly will be the manufacturer of the part. 

Incident Spotlight- Properly Securing and Storing Gas Cylinders

Many labs have metal racks bolted to the floor as the proper way of securing cylinders. Other labs use wall mounted tethers bolted into the wall by a contractor or Facilities Management. If you use the desk-mounted tethers, make sure the desk wheels are locked and cannot be moved. These tethers are 1 tank only, so multiple tanks cannot be tethered to 1 holder. And, if you find yourself running out of room, before installing more tethers its best to work with your vendor to make sure the gas you need is readily available. 

Fire Inspections Underway

The NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control is inspecting all state and residential buildings with EH&S and Facilities staff this month. 
A reminder on common violations in both labs and offices:

  • Extension cords or surge protectors being used improperly
  • Excess storage of combustible material
  • Any material stored in stairways or within 2 feet of sprinkler heads
  • Fume hoods left open when unattended
  • Emergency egresses being blocked or having less than three feet of clearance

Picric Acid SafetyPicric Acid

Picric Acid (2,4,6-trinitrophenol) is a crystalline solid that is mixed with water or other solvents that is used in various laboratory settings as a staining reagent or in synthesis reactions. While this solution is generally safe to use under normal laboratory working conditions, picric acid that has dried and precipitated back into its crystalline form becomes an explosion hazard. These crystals have been shown to detonate from minimal shock and impact forces, even from simply unscrewing the cap to the container if crystals are present. Crystalline picric acid is often used in military munitions due to this highly reactive characteristic.

If your lab contains picric acid, members of the lab should be aware of this hazard. Some protocols you should follow:

  • Check the expiration date of the stock container(s) in your inventory. Typically, picric acid has a shelf life of 24 months. If your container is expired, it needs to be collected by EH&S for hazardous waste disposal before it becomes an explosion hazard.
  • Rule-of-thumb is that the solution has to be a concentration of 90% water/solvent 10% picric acid. If the concentration of picric acid is greater than 10%, it needs to be wetted to prevent the precipitation of crystals.
  • Inspect the bottle to see if crystals have formed on the walls of the container or under the cap. If you believe there are crystals present, do not open the container, contact EH&S for further consultation and safe handling.

Thanks for this email!