Attic: What's this?

This is in an attic of an older home. Can anyone tell me what this is?
Thanks.

IMG_2823 (Small).jpg

Fire grenade. Pretty toxic stuff, actually. Normally carbon tetrachloride, aka “dry cleaning fluid”.

I come across these quite often in all shapes, sizes and colors.

Fire Grenade.

Most likely containing Carbon Tetrachloride.

Recommend removal and proper disposal as the Chemical Material within is Hazardous.

http://www.thegavel.net/grenade.html
http://www.insulators.com/go-withs/firegren.htm
http://www.oldhouseweb.com/stories/Detailed/common-fire-safety-device-in-old-homes-a-health-hazard.shtml

For those old enough, does Bhopal ring a bell…?

Carbon Tetrachloride = Phosgene…

Dry Cleaning Fluid is actually TriChlorEthylene or TCE.

Phosgene is a component of TCE…

http://www.dhs.ca.gov/ohb/HESIS/tce.htm

TCE Vapor can cause birth defects and cancer. Nasty stuff IBM had a huge spill here in Endicott NY. All the homes are getting their basements sealed off and are installing a Radon gas type Mitigation system.

So… it’s not a humingbird feeder?

“In the early 20th century, carbon tetrachloride was widely used as a dry cleaning solvent, …”

It sure looks like a humming bird feeder. the birds would die quickly I think. A new way to kill pidgeons and bats in you attic.

It’s hard to belevie the old is becoming new again. :wink:

Remember those fire hand grenades?

http://www.pinqy.co.uk/

tom

PINQY®, THE DISCREET TOOL FOR PUTTING OUT THE BEGINNINGS OF A FIRE.

TOOL shall be discreet, absolutely my first consideration when choosing a product or encountering a fire :roll:

You could always turn it into the local fire department. Those things are quite the collectable among fireman, and I know how bad this sounds but…if its in the original state (ie chemicals included) the better.

:lol::lol:

Try it out.