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!!!!!
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