Examples and Cases

Typical examples of cases as a chemical expert witness.

  • Intellectual Property Litigation for Phenol/Formaldehyde Resin Formulas
  • Intellectual Property Litigation for Art Canvas Coatings
  • Litigation Regarding Possible Patent Infringement of Inkjet Printer Ink Formulations and Physical Properties
  • Arbitrator between Opposing Parties Regarding Intellectual Property of Surfactant Formulations for Automotive Products
  • Fatal Release of Hydrogen Sulfide Gas from Sulfides at Waste Facility
  • Scalp Burns from Hazardous Hair Bleaching Products
  • Sulfuric Acid Drain Cleaner Produced Deadly Hydrogen Sulfide Gas
  • Child Suffered Severe Burns from Sulfuric Acid Drain Cleaner
  • Release of Toxic Chlorine Gas Cloud from Swimming-Pool Chemical Fire
  • Corrosive Properties of Ready-Mix Cement
  • Chemical Ingredients and Their Properties in Synthetic Urine
  • Explosion of Dry Ice Water Mixture
  • Spontaneous Combustion Fire
  • Formulation and Properties of a Disinfectant Cleaner
  • Cosmetic Formulations
  • 55-Gallon Drum Explosion
  • Properties of Hazardous Chemicals in Creosote
  • Properties of Phenol and Chemical Safety
  • Properties of Roundup Herbicide
  • Explosive Materials: Ammonium Nitrate, Azides, Lye & Water, Metals, Pyrotechnics, Propane
  • Laboratory Fire and Safety
  • Evaluation of Residues from Sulfuryl Fluoride Termite Fumigation
  • Lava Lamp Surfactant Formulation
  • Release of Fumes from Incompatible Chemicals Mixed in Tanker Truck
  • Chlorine Gas from Chlorine Bleach and Acids
  • Exposure to Toluene Diisocyanate
  • Analysis of Defective Liquid Crystal Products
  • Methods for Analysis/Disposal of Waste Gases/Organic Liquid Wastes
  • Acid Damage to Automotive Body Paint
  • Explosion of Zirconium Potassium Perchlorate Airbag Detonator Chemical
  • Flammable Hydrocarbon Propellant Gas Explosion
  • Propane Gas Asphyxiation Studies
  • Diesel Fuel Tank Explosion
  • Dithiocarbamate / Carbon Disulfide Explosion

Samples of Chem Consulting Case Histories

  1. Intellectual Property Litigation
    I testified at deposition and trial regarding the use of confidential chemical formulas by former employees of companies to produce competing identical products. Comparison of both confidential formulas and chemical analyses of competing products have established the thefts of intellectual property. One case was documented by a jury verdict in a federal district court. Names of attorneys are available on request.
  2. Scalp Burns from Hazardous Hair Bleaching Products
    I testified at deposition regarding the likely cause of a severe scalp burn from a hair-bleaching product. It was not a chemical burn, because the bleaching chemicals were wrapped in aluminum foil and not touching the scalp. I have found from testing in my laboratory that the paste made by mixing the bleaching powder with hydrogen peroxide or water can get very hot. The thicker the paste and greater the amount used, the hotter it can become. If warmed and mixed at 110° F, the temperature can increase beyond the boiling point of water (212° F) in less than ten minutes. The heat is caused by hydration of alkaline sodium metasilicate in the powder with water in the peroxide. The more metasilicate in the powder, the hotter the paste gets. The heat from the chemicals can radiate from the aluminum foil to burn the scalp. Such scalp burns can take years of cosmetic surgery to repair. I have demonstrated the heating effect of certain bleaching products at conferences for hairdressers and testified at trial on other hair products.
  3. Sulfuric Acid Drain Cleaner Made Deadly Hydrogen Sulfide Gas
    I was retained to write a report explaining why a plumber was exposed to a lethal dose of hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg) sewer gas. I concluded that his use of concentrated sulfuric acid drain cleaner to clear a clogged garbage disposal drain caused the toxic gas release when the drain trap was removed. Black mold in sewers is known to convert sulfates in food residues to metal sulfides. Strong acids cause sulfides to rapidly produce hydrogen sulfide gas. Sadly, in this case, too much metal sulfide and acid produced too much gas. Concentrated sulfuric acid is too hazardous to be used as a drain cleaner.
  4. Child Suffered Severe Burns from Sulfuric Acid Drain Cleaner
    I testified at a deposition for the plaintiff to demonstrate the corrosive hazard of concentrated sulfuric acid drain cleaner. In this case, a large jug of the acid fell from a shelf in a home and spilled on the head and body of a child. Loss of an ear and permanent scarring resulted. I recorded the degree of chemical burns caused by that drain cleaner on pieces of raw chicken with skin. Severe burning was observed. The case was settled the day before I was scheduled to testify in court. Soon, thereafter, a major home improvement chain defendant voluntarily removed concentrated sulfuric acid from all of its stores.
  5. Release of Toxic Chlorine Gas from a Pool Chemical Fire
    I was retained as a consultant to explain the cause of a toxic chlorine gas release in 1988 in the City of Commerce, California. This caused the evacuation of over 10,000 people. A large number of cardboard storage drums containing waste chemicals from the manufacture of chlorine tablets ignited. This was caused by spontaneous combustion due to rain soaking the containers. Reaction of the chemicals with water produced chlorine gas, which then reacted with the cardboard to produce heat and ignition of the cardboard containers. The fire exacerbated the release of chlorine gas into the air as the chemicals burned. This incident could have been prevented by storing the chemicals in sealed plastic bags inside containers protected from the rain.