Handling and Storage of Hazardous

Chemicals

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Characteristics of “Hazardous” Chemicals

• Cause harmful biological effects

• Are flammable, explosive or highly reactive

• Generate harmful vapors or dust

• Some chemicals assumed to be hazardous because of structural similarity to known hazardous chemicals

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NFPA Hazard Diamond System

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Fire hazards

• Relates to flash point – 0: will not burn– 4: below 73 degrees F

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Health hazards

0: Normal risk 4: Deadly

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Reactivity hazards

0: Stable4: May detonate

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Special hazards

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• Oxidizer• Corrosive• Acid• Alkali• Radioactive• Use NO water

Flammable ChemicalsFlammable =

inflammable:

relatively easy to ignite and burn

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Classes of Flammables• Most common = organic

solvents– Often volatile

• Classified by their flash point– Lower flash point = more

flammable.

• Chemicals with flashpoints rated as 3 or 4 should be treated as fire hazards

Working with Flammables

• Keep away from heat and flame• Know how to put a fire out should one occur• Keep containers tightly closed when not in

use and store away from non-compatible or reactive materials

• Work in a well-ventilated area• Avoid static electricity• If a spill occurs, clean off your skin FIRST!!!• Large quantities of flammables must be

stored in an explosion-proof cabinet

Pyrophoric Chemicals

• Ignite on contact with air!!

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Reactive Chemicals• Undergo violent chemical reactions

– exothermic or gas – generating reactions– unstable chemicals– form peroxides or other oxidizing reagents– incompatible chemical mixtures

• May cause explosion – Never combine reactive chemicals in a

sealed container – Do not use glass for potentially explosive

chemical reactions.

Corrosive Chemicals• Destroy tissue and equipment on contact

– Most common are acids and bases– Will burn skin or eyes– Inhalation hazard

• Guidelines:– Work in a fume hood– Add acid to water, not reverse– Perform acid-base reactions slowly to

minimize gas and heat generation– Wear correct protective gear– Store acids and bases separately– Avoid HF

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Toxic Chemicals Can act as a poison, creating

biological harm to an organism

• Acute toxic agents cause damage in a short period of time and can be harmful in a single exposure

• Chronic toxic agents have cumulative effects or can accumulate in the body with several smaller doses.

Toxic Chemical Handling• Know acute and chronic effects

of a chemical• Be sure you wear the correct

gloves• Know that odors are not a

good guide for exposure level• Minimize exposure• Be alert to symptoms of

sensitization or toxicity• Be especially careful with

mutagens, carcinogens, and teratogens

Mutagens

• Compounds that affect the genetic material of a cell– Cumulative and chronic– Assume to be carcinogens

Carcinogens• Cancer-causing agents

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Teratogens• Embryotoxins that cause fetal

malformations

Storage of hazardous chemicals

1. Date chemicals2. Labels contents and hazards clearly3. Do not store flammables in standard

fridge4. Sort and store chemicals by hazard:

acidsbasesorganic oxidizersinorganic oxidizersflammable liquidsflammable solidsacute poisonswater-reactive

Storing hazardous chemicals

5. Maintain inventory

6. Inspect for leakage or deterioration

7. Keep spill kits on hand

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Take-home message

• ALWAYS CHECK THE SAFETY DATA SHEET AND ALWAYS USE CAUTION WHEN WORKING WITH UNKNOWN CHEMICALS!!!!!