The embalming process has a long history and can be traced back to Ancient Egypt

Have you ever wondered what the association is between Formaldehyde and the embalming process? Many people are aware that this chemical is regularly used by undertakers to prepare a body before a funeral takes place but have you ever questioned why? And what exactly is the embalming process?

The process of embalming has a long history and can be traced back to Ancient Egypt when bodies were preserved by a process called ‘Mummification’. First the body of a deceased person was washed with wine and rinsed with water, then the internal organs would be carefully removed through a small hole at the side of the body. This was important as the internal organs are the first to decompose in a deceased person.

The Ancient Egyptians used to leave the heart intact as they believed this was the seat of intelligence and that a person would need their heart for the Afterlife. The brains were then pulled out via the nostrils and then the body was stuffed and covered with a carbonate salt known as ‘natron’ which helped to dry out the body by drawing out the remaining liquids.

The body was left like this for 40 days after which time it was once again rinsed and covered in sweet-smelling oils to soften the skin and act as a fragrance. In early times, the dehydrated internal organs used to be placed in an individual special storage jar known as a ‘canopic jar’. There were four different types of lid each representing an Egyptian God which would look after one of the internal organs. For example, the Egyptian God ‘Imsety’ looked after the liver in the Afterlife.

In later times, the internal organs were not stored in jars but were carefully wrapped in cloth and returned to the body which was stuffed with leaves, sawdust and cloth so that it appeared lifelike. The body was rubbed with oils one last time before being wrapped in linen cloth. This completed the process of Mummification.

Today’s undertakers and morticians preserve the body of a deceased person in a similar way by cleansing, sanitising and preserving with chemicals so that it appears lifelike. This is an important consideration for family and friends who wish to pay their last respects to a deceased person. Bodily fluids are drained away and embalming fluid is injected into the arteries of the deceased. Many undertakers believe that Formaldehyde is the perfect product for fixation and short-term preservation of a body because it renders a body life-like, with a good natural colour and without odour.

However, there are concerns about the safety of Formaldehye and the fact that it is classified as a Class 1 Carcinogen. Nontheless, the relationship between Formaldehyde and the embalming process remains very strong. Other substances are available but they are considered by many to be less effective and are often more expensive.

Modern-day embalmers use a mixture of Formaldehyde and other less toxic chemicals together with water. Formaldehyde is used in a concentration of about 5% to replace blood in the body whilst a concentration of around 50% is used for the body cavity. Many funeral parlours have started to address potential safety risks and have installed air extraction systems. Some embalmers use respirators and nitrile rather than latex gloves in their work.

You can buy Formaldehyde from UK chemical suppliers ReAgent, an established and well-respected company with over 35 years in the industry. When trying to choose between Formaldehyde suppliers take care to ensure that the one you have chosen works in accordance with current legislation concerning the sale of this chemical. Accreditations to internationally-known safety, environmental and manufacturing Standards are a good indication of a company’s status. Such Standards may include ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management System and ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System.

And just in case this article is giving you any ideas, just be warned – embalmers require a licence to practice in almost every state and country the world over. Theirs is a highly respected profession with stringent requirements for moral conduct, non-judgement and respectability. Practical and theoretical examinations must be undertaken before membership can be gained to a respected organisation such as The British Institute of Embalmers. Dignity, sensitivity and respect remain at the heart of this time-honoured profession.

Chloroform is a widely used organic compound with the chemical formula CHCl3.  It is a colourless and sweetly fragranced liquid also known as Trichloromethane.  It was used as an early anaesthetic in surgery and dentistry and for this reason those working with the material should avoid inhaling its vapours.

Nowadays Chloroform has a number of important uses such as:-

• In chemistry it is used in organic separation
• In plastics manufacturing it is used in the bonding process
• It is used in organic synthesis
• It is used as a precursor in Teflon manufacturing (non-stick)
• In the first World War Chloroform was used as a chemical weapon

You can buy Chloroform from UK based Chloroform suppliers ReAgent, who offer three grades:

• Chloroform (Analytical Use)
• Chloroform (Laboratory Use)
• Chloroform (General Use)

Please see our website for details of prices, price breaks and carriage charges.  Many of our customers enjoy the convenience of being able to buy Chloroform online but we are pleased to process orders received by email, phone, post and fax.  Please note we are unable to supply this product to private individuals; only registered companies can purchase this product.

Purple flames are produced with Potassium Permanganate

Coloured flames are an impressive and exciting special effect which you can easily make at home by using a variety of chemical salts.  Different salts produce different flame colours, for example:-

• Orange/red flames are produced with Calcium Chloride
• Yellow flames are produced with Sodium Chloride
• Green flames are produced with Borax
• Turquoise flames are produced with Copper Sulphate
• Blue flames are produced with Copper Chloride
• Purple flames are produced with Potassium Permanganate
• White flames are produced with Magnesium Sulphate

To make orange/red coloured flames, simply dissolve Calcium Chloride in a clean-burning solvent such as Ethanol or Industrial Methylated Spirit (IMS), then set fire to the solution and the flames will burn bright orangey-red.  Repeat this same procedure using the appropriate chemical to produce the desired flame colour.

In a similar manner, pine cones can be treated with chemicals to release coloured flames creating an impressive special effect for an open fire.  For example, to make pine cones which release turquoise flames, dissolve Copper Sulphate crystals in a plastic bucket of water stirring well to mix, submerge the pine cones and allow them to soak overnight.

The following morning, carefully remove the pine cones from the solution, then allow them to dry.  Once dried, the pine cones can be placed on top of coals on an open fire and you can watch the flames burn turquoise.

An effect of multi-coloured flames can be produced  by repeating this process on an individual basis with each of the chemical salts you require in order to produce the desired colours.  Once the pine cones are dry, they may be added to a fire for a multi-coloured flame effect.  IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE: Do not mix chemicals together!

If you need to buy chemicals to make coloured flames, it is always worth sourcing them from a reputable chemical supplier such as ReAgent, a Quality Assured company offering a 100% Quality Guarantee on all products purchased.  Further details of the range you can buy online can be found on our website or call us free on 0800 990 3258.

Care must be taken when handling chemicals.  Always read the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) provided by your chemical supplier before commencing work.  Keep chemicals away from children and animals.  Never use chemicals on a BBQ fire.  Store chemicals in a cool dry place.  Wear appropriate protective clothing including approved eye protection and compatible gloves.

The special effects described above are intended for occasional use, and should not be used on a regular basis.  Dispose of unused chemical solutions according to the instructions on the MSDS.

Caustic Soda has many uses including as a catalyst in the manufacture of bio diesel products

Caustic Soda is a strong metal base also known as Lye and with a chemical formula of NaOH.  It is one of the world’s most widely used chemicals and annual world products exceeds 60 million tonnes.  Caustic Soda has many uses including:-

• In the chemical industry where it is used to neutralise acids
• In papermaking where it helps to separate the fibres and bleach the wood pulp
• In animal carcass disposal where it is used to digest tissue
• In metal etching processes
• As an industrial cleaning agent
• As a domestic drain cleaning agent
• In traditional soap making processes
• As a catalyst in the manufacture of biodiesel products
• In the food industry where its diverse applications include noodle manufacturing, olive softening, Chinese 100 year old eggs and Scandinavian Lye Fish production

Caustic Soda is strongly Corrosive and may cause serious chemical burns to skin, soft tissue and eyes.  Reputable Caustic Soda suppliers provide MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) with the product; these sheets give an overview of risks and advice about protective clothing, general product safety and disposal requirements.  Always read the MSDS before starting work.

You can buy Caustic Soda from ReAgent, leading UK chemical suppliers who offer a range of strengths and specifications.  Our most popular is Caustic Soda Pearl (General Use) which is a high quality product intended for use where analytical or laboratory specifications are not required.  We also sell Caustic Soda solutions in a wide range of other strengths and pack sizes.  Please refer to the website for details of our products or call us for free on 0800 990 3258.

Boric Acid is a relatively mild acid when compared to strong mineral acids such as Hydrochloric Acid and Sulphuric Acid

Boric Acid is used in a wide and varied range of applications such as:-

• as an antiseptic where it is used to treat minor burns and cuts
• as a component in eyewash where it is particularly effective against conjunctivitis
• as a component in athlete’s foot preparations
• as a pest controller where it is used against infestations of many insects including cockroaches, termites, fire ants, silverfish and fleas
• as a wood preservative in timber treatments where it inhibits the growth of fungus
• in the manufacture of glass and fibreglass where it enhances the chemical composition
• as a flame retardant substance it is used in the manufacture of plywood, textile products, cotton and paper
• in the pottery industry where it is used in the glazing of ceramics
• in the manufacture of plasma television screens

Boric Acid suppliers ReAgent offer the material in three different grades; Analytical Use is available in 500 g pack sizes whilst Laboratory Use and General Use are each available in 500 g and 25 kg pack sizes.  Please refer to our website for details of price breaks and carriage charges.  We are pleased to receive orders to buy Boric Acid online, by post, by email, by phone and by fax.

Boric Acid has a long history of use by man dating back to ancient China where it is believed to have been used in early ceramic glazes.  It was also used by the ancient Arabians to preserve their silver and gold.  In the early 1700’s a Dutch natural philosopher called Wilhelm Homberg made Boric Acid crystals and found that they could be used as a mild antiseptic and eyewash.   This was at a time when the ancient study of alchemy was becoming the modern science of chemistry.

Depending on the level of moss present, the solution can be used as a moss inhibitor by spraying during the period of growth from late Autumn to early Spring

To use Ferrous Sulphate as a moss killer, the chemical is usually mixed with water to form a solution.  To begin with use a ratio of  approximately 10 gms Ferrous Sulphate/1 litre water but if this does not produce the desired effect, a ratio of 50 gms Ferrous Sulphate/1 litre water can be used .  The solution can be sprayed or watered on the area of grass to be treated although it is advisable to test a small area first.

An application rate guideline is approximately 5 square metres for every litre of chemical solution mixture.  Be careful to avoid spraying the solution onto other garden plants and paths.  After a couple of days the moss will start to turn black and this should be raked out.  DO NOT PUT TREATED DEAD MOSS RAKINGS IN THE COMPOST BIN.

After treatment DO NOT ALLOW PETS ON THE TREATED AREA FOR ONE WEEK.  When treating paddocks and pastureland DO NOT ALLOW HORSES OR OTHER ANIMALS TO GRAZE ON TREATED AREA FOR 4 WEEKS.

Depending on the level of moss present, the solution can be used as an inhibitor by spraying during the period of growth from late Autumn to early Spring.  This will effectively kill the upper layer of moss but if the moss  is very deep, the spray will not penetrate the lower layer.    By treating the upper layer of lawn with Ferrous Sulphate moss killer every four to eight weeks during the Winter months, this will help to slow down the growth of lower level moss but may not completely get rid of it.

If moss remains in the lower level of lawn, it is best to rake out the moss in early Spring.  Although this can be a time consuming process, it is advisable where moss infestation is deep.  Once the lower level of moss is raked out, you can treat the lawn with a solution of Ferrous Sulphate which could achieve a 90% success rate in moss eradication.

You can buy Ferrous Sulphate online from ReAgent, a Quality Assured Company with accreditation to numerous Environmental and Quality Standards.  Please check our website for further information about our full range of chemicals on www.reagent.co.uk

Ferrous Sulphate has a chemical formula of FeSO4 and is sometimes known as Iron Sulphate, Iron Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Green Vitriol or Copperas.

Always read the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) provided by your Ferrous Sulphate supplier before commencing work.  Wear suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and keep out of reach of children and animals.

You can get rid of cockroaches with relative ease by using Boric Acid

Cockroach infestation is a worrying problem for those affected and unfortunately, cockroaches are one of the most common household pests.  However, it is easy to kill cockroaches using Boric Acid.

Cockroaches like warmth and moisture and can be found in homes, restaurants and factories.  You can get rid of cockroaches with relative ease by using Boric Acid, a white inorganic powder with a chemical formula H3BO3 which is deadly to cockroaches.  In addition to using Boric Acid to kill cockroaches, it can be used to effectively eliminate water bugs, silverfish, termites and ants.

When treating an area of infestation, the powder should be sprinkled gently to form a very light dusting which is barely visible.  Even a small amount of Boric Acid will be effective in removing cockroaches when applied correctly.  Do not spread the powder thickly and do not use a metal spoon to sprinkle powder.  Never use Boric Acid directly on kitchen worktops or other areas where food preparation takes place.

You can buy Boric Acid online from ReAgent, a leading UK chemical supplier who offers a range of grades and pack sizes.  Price breaks are available for multiple purchases.  Please see our website for details or call us free on 0800 990 3258

As when handling any chemical substance, always read the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) provided by your Boric Acid suppliers before starting work.  Wear protective clothing as appropriate including compatible safety gloves, protective coveralls and approved eye protection.

You can buy Borax online from ReAgent in 1 kg and 5 kg pack sizes

Borax has been used since ancient times and is believed to have been around for over one thousand years.  It was used in medieval Europe as a flux in metal soldering whilst ancient China used the substance in pottery glazes.  Today, it has a wide range of uses including:

• In the manufacture of detergents
• In the manufacture of glass
• In the pharmaceutical industry
• As a cleaning and deodorising material
•  To clean and brighten laundry
• In the manufacture of insecticides and pesticides
• In enamel glazes
• To produce indelible ink
• In the manufacture of pottery
• To add a green tint to fireworks
• As a food preservative
• To control pH levels in swimming pools

Additionally, Borax is used in the laboratory to create buffers for chemical reactions.  As can be seen, Borax is indeed a multi-purpose substance with a wide and varied range of uses which is why it is one of our most popular products.

Borax is a widely used chemical compound also known as Sodium Tetraborate, Sodium Borate and Disodium Tetraborate.  It appears as white or colourless crystals which sometimes have a brownish or yellowish hue.  Borax suppliers ReAgent sell Sodium Tetraborate with the following technical specification:-

Chemical Formula
Na2B4O7.10H2O

Assay 99%
Minimum

Maximum Limits of Impurities
Sulphate 0.05%
Heavy Metals 0.003%

You can buy Borax online in 1 kg and 5 kg pack sizes.  Please refer to our website for details of price breaks for multiple purchases and carriage charges.

A Spectrophotometer is used to quantify levels of elements in compounds by measuring the amount of radiation absorbed at a specific wavelength

Welcome to the first of our blog posts explaining the function of various pieces of equipment you might find in a laboratory.  A Spectrophotometer is used to quantify levels of elements in compounds by measuring the amount of radiation absorbed at a specific wavelength.  There are several types of Spectrophotometer which are classified by the wavelength of radiation that they work at:-

• An IR Spectrophotometer works in the Infra-red region of around 10^-2 to 10 ^-4 cm wavelength
• A UV-Vis Spectrophotometer works within the Ultra Violet to Visible region of around 10^-4 to 10 ^-5cm wavelength

How do they work?

Basically, they consist of a source of light, a means to focus the beam of light, a sample container and some form of detector.

The light is emitted from the source at its given wavelength, then passes through a Monochromator to focus the beam so that only the waves that are travelling in a straight line from the source are allowed through the focus slit.

This wave then passes through the sample, where some of the light is absorbed and the detector then measures the difference in the light that has passed through the sample compared to the initial wave.

The light is emitted from the source at its given wavelength, then passes through a Monochromator

Are they only used in labs?

No, Spectrophotometers can be used in any situation where a change of colour could indicate a problem.  However, they can only be used where the liquid involved is transparent.  For example, they can be used in a bottling line for wine, beer or spirits.  Here, the liquid passes through a Spectrophotometer to ensure that it blended/brewed/mixed consistently by falling within a colour specification.

They can also be used in the manufacture of tinted lenses for sunglasses to ensure that the colour of the lens is the same as the previous batch.

Have they changed over the years?

They have changed over the years as technology has advanced.  As with many electrical items, developments in microchip technology have resulted in smaller Spectrophotometers.

They have also improved in terms of their flexibility.  Whereas once you had to change a bulb to change the wavelength you were looking at, the newer models are far more flexible and can be controlled by the simple press of a button.

Do you have to be qualified to use one?

As basic understanding of what you are trying to achieve and what you are handling should be more than sufficient for anyone to operate a Spectrophotometer.

With a clearly defined set of instructions to follow, anyone could actually analyse a basic sample on a Spectrophotometer.  However, qualifications in chemistry and physics would be advantageous when it comes to developing new methods and interpreting results.

How much do they cost?

Generally speaking, Spectrophotometers cost upwards of £5,000 and can cost tens of thousands.  However, prices generally are decreasing due to the influx of more keenly priced electronics from Asia.

We use Spectrophotometers at ReAgent, the UK’s leading chemical suppliers.

Many people are familiar with the distinctive smell of Acetone as it is an ingredient found in some brands of nail polish remover

Acetone is one of our most popular solvents and has a wide range of uses.  Many people are familiar with the distinctive smell of Acetone as it is an ingredient found in some brands of nail polish remover, specifically those aimed at removing ‘long lasting’ nail lacquer such as Shellac.  Acetone is a clear colourless liquid which is miscible with water; this means that it mixes easily with water.

Acetone has a great many uses both as a solvent and as a reagent in organic synthesis, including:-

• As a heavy-duty degreaser in many industries
• As a thinner for polyester resins
• To prepare metal prior to painting
• To remove residues from porcelain and glass
• To dissolve superglue before it hardens
• To thin fibreglass resins
• As a reagent in biological research applications

Acetone is classified as Highly Flammable and should be used and stored in an area away from sources of ignition, heat and flames.  Customers who buy acetone should be aware that it dries the skin and accidental contact can cause damage to eyes and nasal passages.

Always work in a well-ventilated area or under fume-extraction when handling large quantities and avoid breathing the vapours.  Reputable Acetone suppliers provide Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) with the product which outline what precautions should be taken when working with it.

We sell Acetone in three grades: Analytical Use, Laboratory Use and General Use.  ReAgent are reputable acetone suppliers and you can buy 2.5 litre and 25 litre containers for all grades online.  200 litre drums are also available for our General Use material.  We offer many more pack sizes offline also including 1,000L Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBC’s).  There are price breaks for multiple purchases online.  Carriage will vary according to quantity purchased and all prices exclude VAT.  For further information about Acetone and further details of our range of other products, please visit our website or call us free on 0800 990 3258.