Lecture Size Breath Alcohol Test
Description: A small amount of ethanol is poured into a balloon, and the balloon is blown up. When the ethanol vapor is released into a large tube containing orange acidified dichromate on silica gel, the ethanol reduces the dichromate to green chromium (III).
Source: Chem13 News
Year: 1997 Vol/No. 261 Page 1
Keywords: Ethanol, Balloon, Dichromate, Chromium (III), Chromium (VI)
Rating: 
Hazard: High
- Oxidizing solids
- Skin corrosion hazard
- Acute toxicity hazard – oral, inhalation, dermal
- Serious eye damage
- Respiratory sensitization
- Skin irritation
- Germ cell mutagenicity
- Carcinogenicity
- Reproductive toxicity
- Specific target organ toxicity – single exposure respiratory system
- Flammable liquids
Effectiveness: Average
- Tenuous connection to course material
- Results are observable without guidance
- Mild effects are seen by audience
- Moderate reliability
- Time to results is medium
Difficulty: Medium
- Multi-phase experiment
- Some intermediate steps to results
- Coordinated manipulations required
- Prior training recommended
Safety Precautions:
- Eye protection required
- Gloves required
- Perform on a chemically resistant surface
- Perform in a well-ventilated area
- ABC fire extinguisher on hand
- Spill kit on hand
- Prevent release of reagents to the environment
- Avoid exposure to droplets, mists, and dusts
- Prevent exposure to open flame
Class: Redox Reactions
Division: General
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