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-fît?*?' ita'i In this experiment on the photochemical decomposition of and the products are analyzed by the gas chromatographic organic esters, the sample is exposed to ultraviolet light apparatus shown .(left foreground)
LABORATORY OF THE MONTH
Mellon Has Extensive Chemical Hygiene and Radiation Research Facilities P I T T S B U R G H ' S 48-year-old Mellon In•*· stitute, oldest nonprofit research institution of its kind in the U. S., has opened additional research facilities 25 miles east of the city. Known as the Bushy Run Laboratories, the project represents an expansion of the institute's activities and supplements the facilities in Pittsburgh. At present the Bushy Run Laboratories comprise two highly specialized structures, the Chemical Hygiene Building and the Radiation Research Building. Both buildings are constructed in large part of Pennsylvania field stone. Aluminum windows are used extensively. To hold down construction costs, concrete blocks and plaster were used inside wherever possible. Glazed tile and ceiling and floor covers were used only where necessary. The Chemical Hygiene Building has 51 laboratories, offices, and special research areas. The upper level houses the biochemical, physiological, and micropathological laboratories plus administrative offices and library. The lower level, comprising about twice the floor area of the upper level, provides quarters for the various species of animals used in assaying toxicity of syn-
thetic organic chemicals. Mellon Institute's Chemical Hygiene Fellowship has been supported by the Union Carbide Chemicals Co. since 1937. Research is centered on safety in production, handling, and use of new organic chemicals, including food additives and agricultural chemicals. Extensive animal studies involving techniques of biochemistry, pharmacology, physiology, and pathology help determine the hazards to humans, if any, involved in using these new chemicals. In the past 24 years, more than $5 million have been invested in this program. Fundamental research on the effects of radiation on materials occupies the attention of the Radiation Research group. The Radiation Research Building consists of administrative offices, library, and some 20 laboratories on 1wo levels. The accelerator target area control room, and other laboratories are on the lower level. Radiochemical techniques are used in studies of mechanisms of chemical reactions in general. Objectives are to determine behavior of materials under high energy irradiation, including chemical reactions which are difficult to initiate bv other means.
The principal research tool in the Radiation Research Building is a 3m.e.v. Van de Graaff accelerator housed in a tower. The tower is shielded with 56-inch concrete walls. The accelerator has been modified to give a horizontal electron beam which facilitates chemical and para-magnetic resonance studies. The accelerator provides electron current from Ι Ο 9 to 3 10~ ampere and positive ion currents of from 10~7 to 10 4 ampere at energies in excess of 3 m.e.v. Accessories permit the accelerator to yield beams of neu trons, x-rays, protons, or electrons. Counting equipment assists the inor ganic and biochemical research investi gators who are using radiocarbon tech niques. The radiation research group also has at its command a mass spectrom eter, infrared spectrophotometer, elec tron paramagnetic resonance spectrom eter, gas chromatographs with very sensitive ionization detectors, and eobalt-60 γ-ray sources. One of these provides 60,000 roentgens per hour and the other 300,000 roentgens per hour. The radiochemistry and radiophysics facilities, like the accelerator tower, are shielded from the rest of the building. VOL. 33, NO. 7, JUNE 1961
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91A
The electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometer is used for direct examination of free radicals produced by radiation. The 12-inch rotating magnet used for studies of paramagnetic resonance absorption of single crystals is being adjusted in the photograph
The mass spectrometer is used as a research tool to study reactions of ions at low pressures
The 18,000-square foot Radiation Research Building (left) and the 30,000square foot Chemical Hygiene Building face the mall of the Bushy Run Laboratories. The site has been planned and utilities installed to provide for future expansion on the 230acre tract
The autopsy room is fitted with stainless steel laboratory bench and integral sinks. At the termination of some experiments, and at predetermined intervals throughout long, chronic studies, animals are examined for gross changes. Certain organs are weighed and abnormal or preselected tissues are taken for examination
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92 A
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ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
Counting a sample of tritiated hydrocarbon produced in the scavenging of radicals by tritium iodide. The samples are separated chromatographically before being passed through the flow proportional counter.
NEW! Laboratory of the Month
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A magnet (right) is used to bend the vertical electron beam from the Van de Graaff accelerator (not shown) into a horizontal plane. The beam reaches the sample in the magnet of the electron spin resonance equipment by a cylindrical hole bored coaxially with magnet pole piece. This allows the search for free radicals in organic liquids during irradiation, something of a " f i r s t " in radiation chemical research, according to Mellon scientists ψ
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VOL. 33, NO. 7, JUNE
1961
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93 A
