Chemical Expert Discusses Burns Caused by Household Cleaning Product

Case Overview

This case involves a man who sustained extreme burns to his pelvic region from a lacquer thinner. The plaintiff indicated that he had used the product to clean a spill on his floor, after which he put the lid back on. He was sitting on the floor when the can leaned over, leaking all over his pelvic region. The plaintiff rinsed the thinner off but still received severe burns. The lacquer thinner was in a one gallon F-Style Oblong Metal Can with a plastic screw top. The material was composed of Toluene, Light Aliphatic Naphtha, Acetone, Methanol and Ethylene Glycol Butyl Ether. We need chemical analysis of the material so that we can confirm that the composition is as described in the safety data sheet and not an irregular batch. It is believed that the chemical composition was irregular due to the severity of the burns the plaintiff sustained.

Questions to the Chemistry expert and their responses

If given a sample of the described lacquer thinner could you or your laboratory perform a chemical composition test?

My firm specializes in deformulation and reformulation of industrial and consumer products, thus we are properly suited to handle this case.

About the expert

This expert has over 25 years of experience in analytical chemistry including pharmaceutical development. With a Ph.D. from the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he has published in analytical and physical chemistry. His previous positions include various lead positions of research and development as well as analytical testing. He currently serves as Vice President of an analytical services firm.