Why chemicals are stored in brown bottles

August 08, 2023

Brown glass is commonly used to store and transport chemicals that are sensitive to light. Brown glass is also commonly used in laboratories and other places where chemicals are handled.

Why chemicals are stored in bottles

Most of the chemicals are corrosive so they Are stored in glass vessels. Plastic is very reactive to almost all organic and inorganic acids and solvents.Chemicals are stored in bottles for the following reasons:

• Safety -- Chemicals in bottles cannot leak and cause harm to the environment and people.
• Convenience -- Bottles can be easily carried and transported.
• Classification -- Different types of chemicals are stored in different bottles to avoid confusion and potential safety hazards.
• Identification -- Bottles are labeled with the name and properties of the chemicals they contain for easy identification.

Why chemicals are stored in brown bottles

The short answer is that brown helps protect contents from light. Some chemicals and medicines decompose in the presence of sunlight. So in order to protect them, they are stored in dark-colored bottles. Some chemicals are sensitive to light and may undergo a chemical reaction when exposed to light, while other chemicals are not photosensitive and will not undergo a chemical reaction when exposed to light. The degree of chemical sensitivity to light also varies widely, with some chemicals being highly sensitive and others being much less sensitive. For example, some plastic materials become brittle and decompose when exposed to ultraviolet light, while others are more stable and insensitive to light. In fact, not all chemicals need to be stored in brown glass bottles. Visible light has a wavelength in the range of 380 to 740 nanometers. This only represents a small portion of the full range of all the frequencies and wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum. 

Brown is low-intensity, low-frequency hues: basically, darkened yellow, orange, or red. The low intensity blocks out some light and the hue enables some frequencies in the red-to-yellow range to pass through. Lower frequencies are effectively blocked, including ultra-violet frequencies. 

How to check brown bottles

The pontil is a definitive mark that dates glass. Be aware that reproductions can have smooth, molded pontil marks or sometimes an authentic-looking jagged mark. It is more effective to choose a reputable and experienced manufacturer to buy amber glass bottles for storing chemicals.