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Dropper Bulbs to Degrade?
What Causes Dropper
Bulbs to Degrade? (or "The Sign of Ozone")
Have you seen this defect (photograph
at right) in a dropper before? The bulb degrades from the outside
in, becoming dry and brittle. Chances are it is the result of
coming in contact with ozone for a period of time.
Many health food retailers and homeopaths are
using ozone generators to kill air born baceteria, disinfecting
their shops and offices. Ozone attacks natural rubber and
causes degradation of the material where the rubber is stretched.
From the photo (left) it can
be seen where the pipette flange is seated inside the dropper
bulb. It is at this point that the bulb is stressed (stretched)
and the point where ozone begins the deterioration process
from the outside. It is interesting to note that nitrile,
an alternate bulb material, will also degrade in the presence
of ozone.
Other environmental factors
that cause problems are UV light, heat and oxygen. Our experience
indicates that keeping droppers away from direct exposure
to sunlight and ozone will prevent the defect shown above.
However, if getting rid of the
ozone generator is not an option, there is a bulb material
that is compatible with most products and is NOT AFFECTED
by ozone. Call 443-436-9400 for specifications of this material,
samples and/or pricing.
NOTE: The information in
this article is not intended to eliminate the need for thorough
testing of all materials that come in contact with the packaged
product. |
