Which measure is least effective for preventing reactive storage hazards related to contaminants?

• A. Maintaining proper chemical compatibility and purity controls.
• B. Regularly inspecting for contamination and new impurities.
• C. Relying on routine operations without impurity checks.
• D. Using inert blankets around storage.

Answer: (C)

Preventing reactive storage hazards hinges on actively controlling contaminants and keeping storage conditions compatible with the stored chemicals. Contaminants can dramatically change reactivity, trigger premature decomposition, or create unexpected reactions, so you need ongoing measures to prevent and detect them: ensuring chemical compatibility and purity, regularly checking for contamination and new impurities, and keeping the storage environment inert or otherwise protected to minimize exposure to air, moisture, or reactive species.

The approach that relies on routine operations without impurity checks is the least effective because it assumes contaminants won’t appear or won’t impact reactivity. Without systematic impurity testing and monitoring, hidden contaminants can accumulate or form during storage, leading to unpredictable reactions, heat buildup, gas generation, or releases. In contrast, the active controls—maintaining purity and compatibility, inspecting for impurities, and using inert blankets—actively reduce the chance of hazardous interactions by limiting contact with reactive agents and by catching problems before they escalate.