Bretherick's Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards
October 26, 2023
Bretherick’s Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards is a well-established source of information on chemical safety, often known by its author’s name, and often cited in the chemical and chemical engineering literature. In recent editions it has been in two volumes, volume 1 being individual compounds and hazardous reactions, volume 2 being groups and other information relevant to reactive chemical hazards, arranged by topic.
In 1964, research chemist Leslie Bretherick read of a violent explosion in a laboratory, and knew that the same journal had reported a similar incident with the same chemicals 16 years earlier.[1] Realising that there was no central source of literature on dangerous chemical reactions, he set out to create one, combing through the literature in his spare time. In 1971 his employers (BP) allowed him to do this in half his work time[2] and a book was published in 1975 entitled Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards.[3] The work involved creating what was effectively a database on paper of substances and literature references, arranged by empirical formula, and converting this into a book. This was well received as “an invaluable reference work” [4] One reviewer wrote ““Bretherick” (the name under which this book must surely become known)”.[5] A revised second edition followed in 1979, with a reviewer stating “that “Bretherick” is an essential first reference”[6] As well as corrections and additional reactions, this contained a new section dealing with groups of compounds and some other matters. A third edition followed in 1985, Bretherick having retired in 1982 in order to work full-time on the project.[2][7] In the preface to the 4th edition (1989) he announced that his eyesight was failing.[8] As a result, he did not contribute new material to further editions, which was done by others. The 5th edition (1995) was edited by Peter G. Urben and as the book was larger, was split into two volumes. Leslie Bretherick died in April 2003[9] The 6th edition (1999), the 7th edition (2007) and the 8th edition (2017) were also edited by Urben.
Electronic Versionsedit
Database 1.0 and 2.0
A version of the 4th edition was also made available on floppy disks in the form of a database, allowing searches for hazard by class or topic and also partial name.[10] Subsequent editions were supported by an equivalent on CD-ROM.[11] The difficulties of converting the book into a database have been described.[2]
^ abcBarker, P.E.; Bretherick, L.; Kay, F.A.A. (1993). "Problems and Solutions in the Development of Hard and Soft Versions of a Chemical Reaction Hazards Database". J. Chem. Inf. Comput. Sci.33 (2): 184-192. doi:10.1021/ci00012a001.
^Bretherick, L., (1975) Preface to Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards Butterworths (London)
^Roberts, A.F., (1976) Journal of Occupational Accidents, 195-6
^Cumberland, R. F., (1975) Journal of Hazardous Materials, Vol.1(3), 269
^Thomson, B. J.. (1979) Journal of Occupational Accidents, 2 255
^Young, Jay (2003). "Obituary". Chemical Health and Safety. 10 (4): 46. doi:10.1016/S1074-9098(03)00066-2.
^Whitbeck, Michael (1992). "Bretherick's Reactive Chemical Hazards Database. Version 1.00". J. Chem. Inf. Comput. Sci.32 (4): 395. doi:10.1021/ci00008a605.
^Langerman, Neal (2000). "Bretherick's "Reactive Chemical Hazards Database, Version 3.0"". Chemical Health and Safety. 7 (2): 53. doi:10.1016/S1074-9098(00)00086-1.
Further readingedit
Sella, Andrea (29 October 2020). "Bretherick's Handbook". Chemistry World. Royal Society of Chemistry. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
October 26, 2023
bretherick, handbook, reactive, chemical, hazards, bretherick, handbook, reactive, chemical, hazards, well, established, source, information, chemical, safety, often, known, author, name, often, cited, chemical, chemical, engineering, literature, recent, editi. Bretherick s Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards is a well established source of information on chemical safety often known by its author s name and often cited in the chemical and chemical engineering literature In recent editions it has been in two volumes volume 1 being individual compounds and hazardous reactions volume 2 being groups and other information relevant to reactive chemical hazards arranged by topic 2nd to 7th editions Contents 1 History 2 Electronic Versions 3 References 4 Further readingHistory editIn 1964 research chemist Leslie Bretherick read of a violent explosion in a laboratory and knew that the same journal had reported a similar incident with the same chemicals 16 years earlier 1 Realising that there was no central source of literature on dangerous chemical reactions he set out to create one combing through the literature in his spare time In 1971 his employers BP allowed him to do this in half his work time 2 and a book was published in 1975 entitled Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards 3 The work involved creating what was effectively a database on paper of substances and literature references arranged by empirical formula and converting this into a book This was well received as an invaluable reference work 4 One reviewer wrote Bretherick the name under which this book must surely become known 5 A revised second edition followed in 1979 with a reviewer stating that Bretherick is an essential first reference 6 As well as corrections and additional reactions this contained a new section dealing with groups of compounds and some other matters A third edition followed in 1985 Bretherick having retired in 1982 in order to work full time on the project 2 7 In the preface to the 4th edition 1989 he announced that his eyesight was failing 8 As a result he did not contribute new material to further editions which was done by others The 5th edition 1995 was edited by Peter G Urben and as the book was larger was split into two volumes Leslie Bretherick died in April 2003 9 The 6th edition 1999 the 7th edition 2007 and the 8th edition 2017 were also edited by Urben Electronic Versions edit nbsp Database 1 0 and 2 0A version of the 4th edition was also made available on floppy disks in the form of a database allowing searches for hazard by class or topic and also partial name 10 Subsequent editions were supported by an equivalent on CD ROM 11 The difficulties of converting the book into a database have been described 2 References edit Bretherick Leslie 1964 Chromium Trioxide Oxidation Risks Chemistry amp Industry 1196 a b c Barker P E Bretherick L Kay F A A 1993 Problems and Solutions in the Development of Hard and Soft Versions of a Chemical Reaction Hazards Database J Chem Inf Comput Sci 33 2 184 192 doi 10 1021 ci00012a001 Bretherick L 1975 Preface to Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards Butterworths London Roberts A F 1976 Journal of Occupational Accidents 195 6 Cumberland R F 1975 Journal of Hazardous Materials Vol 1 3 269 Thomson B J 1979 Journal of Occupational Accidents 2 255 Preface to the Third Edition 1985 Preface to the Fourth Edition 1989 Young Jay 2003 Obituary Chemical Health and Safety 10 4 46 doi 10 1016 S1074 9098 03 00066 2 Whitbeck Michael 1992 Bretherick s Reactive Chemical Hazards Database Version 1 00 J Chem Inf Comput Sci 32 4 395 doi 10 1021 ci00008a605 Langerman Neal 2000 Bretherick s Reactive Chemical Hazards Database Version 3 0 Chemical Health and Safety 7 2 53 doi 10 1016 S1074 9098 00 00086 1 Further reading editSella Andrea 29 October 2020 Bretherick s Handbook Chemistry World Royal Society of Chemistry Retrieved 21 February 2022 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Bretherick 27s Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards amp oldid 1073304360, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
