Chemical Expert Witnesses Opine on Fire Caused by Acetone-Based Cleaner

Case Overview

This case involves an individual in West Virginia who sustained significant injuries in a fire caused by a common, acetone-based household cleaning product. The Plaintiff was using the product on the floor of her home when the cleaner suddenly ignited, causing serious and permanent injuries to the woman, as well as significant property damage. A comparable water-based product is also on the market, and it was alleged that the manufacturer of the cleaning product did not need to include the flammable compounds in order to maintain the effectiveness of the cleaner.

Questions to the Chemistry expert and their responses

Are you familiar with the formulation of commercial acetone and water based solvents?

I am familiar with commercial cleaning products, such as those used for the removal of paint, coatings and adhesives. I have considerable experience in surface preparation cleaning products, both water-based and acetone-based.

Please explain your knowledge pertaining to similar household cleaning products, both water and petroleum based offerings.

For over thirty years, I served as a director of R&D in the paint, adhesives and resin industries, where we manufactured and sold cleaning products as part of the overall product offerings.

Have you ever published or lectured on this subject?

I have a PhD in organic chemistry, I am widely published in this field, and I hold numerous patents in coatings technology.

Have you ever served as an expert witness?

I have worked on similar cases involving injuries due to hazardous materials in consumer and commercial products. I have experience in reviewing material safety data sheets, warnings on labels, and the reasonably intended use of these products.

About the expert

This highly experienced former director of R&D holds both an MS and PhD in organic chemistry. He started his career as a Senior Research Scientist with the Continental Can Company, developing new polymers for ultraviolet curable inks and coatings. After 5 years he joined Rust-Oleum as a Resin Development Group Leader and worked his way up to Technical Director over the course of an 18 year career with the company. He served as the Chairman of the Product Safety Committee and directed a team of 20-40 professional chemists, engineers, and technicians through various projects, leaving Rust-Oleum with a successful track record of increasing revenues and decreasing costs. This expert then served as the Executive Director of PRA Laboratories, a consortium of 26 paint/coatings and supplier companies, and finally as the Vice President of R&D at Roman Adhesives before founding his own independent consultancy. He holds memberships in a multitude of professional organizations such as the American Chemical Society and the National Association of Corrosion Engineer.