192 Maintaining Your GC
10 Maintaining the µECD
Important Safety Information About the µECD
The µECD contains a cell plated with
63
Ni, a radioactive isotope.
The beta particles released at the energy level in the detector
have little penetrating power—the surface layer of the skin or a
few sheets of paper will stop most of them—but they may be
hazardous if the isotope is ingested or inhaled. For this reason,
handle the cell with care. Cap the detector inlet and outlet
fittings when the detector is not in use. Never introduce
corrosive chemicals into the detector. Vent detector exhaust
outside the laboratory environment.
Refer to the safety documentation provided with the detector
for important details about safety, maintenance, and
compliance with local government regulation.
WARNING
Materials that may react with the
63
Ni source, either to form
volatile products or to cause physical degradation of the plated
film, must be avoided. These materials include oxidizing
compounds, acids, wet halogens, wet nitric acid, ammonium
hydroxide, hydrogen sulfide, PCBs, and carbon monoxide. This list
is not exhaustive but indicates the kinds of compounds that may
cause damage to
63
Ni detectors.
WARNING
In the extremely unlikely event that both the oven and the
detector-heated zone should go into thermal runaway (maximum,
uncontrolled heating in excess of 400 °C) at the same time and the
detector remains exposed to this condition for more than 12 hours,
take the following steps:
1 After turning off the main power and allowing the instrument to
cool, cap the detector inlet and exhaust vent openings. Wear
disposable plastic gloves and observe normal laboratory safety
precautions.
2 Return the cell for disposal, following directions included with
the License Verification Form (part number 19233-90750).
3 Include a letter stating the condition of abuse.
It is unlikely, even in this very unusual situation, that radioactive
material will escape the cell. However, permanent damage to the
63
Ni plating within the cell is possible; therefore, the cell must be
returned for exchange.
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