Re: Table Salt a Hazardous Substance

On Jan 30, 1:25 pm, "NoSpam" <NoS...@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Dear Mike,

I am frustrated. The following post to the microscope group on NewNet
explain why.
Gerhard

Hello

I have made an astounding discovery regarding
the freedoms we enjoy in the West.

One of my hobbies is the precipitation of micro-
crystals and their observation under the objective
of a microscope using various forms of illumi-
nation.

For this purpose I have used NaCl, also known
as table salt when sold over the counter at food
markets. This form of NaCl however contains
various impurities, some on purpose, some from
inadequate purification. The resulting crystals
are interesting, but show lack of perfect sym-
metry.

I have therefore tried to purchase analytical
grade NaCl from Sigma-Aldrich and Baddley
Chemicals. I did not know that at Sigma-Aldrich
one must go thru a "screening process" on ac-
count of the hazards posed to national security
by chemicals, including NaCl. In the process
of being "screened" I learned that no sales must
be made to individuals, no matter how harm-
less a substance may be. Same for Baddley
Chemicals.

How can it be, that the sale of NaCl and pre-
sumably of other, similarly harmless compounds
to individuals is forbidden? I can't imagine that
this is caused by true concern for the security of
a nation which prides itself in being the sole re-
maining superpower. Could it be that this regu-
lation serves the purpose of bringing all of sciene
under total federal control? Could it be that
the lack of science education among politicians
and lawmakers has led to such an excess?

I would be interested in comments regarding
this subject.

Thank you
G.R.

A few years ago I tried to buy a liter of Heptane, a great cleaning
agent, from a scientific supplier on line. They accepted the order
and...nothing happened. It was not a security concern, it was that
they viewed it as odd that any customer would only order one thing.
I've seen the truck roll into Emory and UG-A, it's really impressive,
this is were the catalogers run the show. A primary catalog house
will send several trucks a day to a med school like Emory. Then there
is me, they don't know me, they really don't know why I am trying to
order a liter of heptane and they don't know how to handle less than
$50.

Some of the problem you site is because of hysteria over 9/11, some of
it is a single individual dealing with a major supplier. (sigh) Its a
sign of the times!

Kevin Cunningham
SMS
.

Relevant Pages

  • Table Salt a Hazardous Substance
    ... The following post to the microscope group on NewNet ... For this purpose I have used NaCl, ... a nation which prides itself in being the sole re- ...
    (sci.techniques.microscopy)
  • Table Salt a Hazard?
    ... crystals and their observation under the objective ... For this purpose I have used NaCl, ... a nation which prides itself for being the sole re- ...
    (sci.techniques.microscopy)
Quantcast