Standard Operating Procedure
Vinyl acetate
Settlement Class: Peroxide Forming Chemicals
Print a copy and insert into your
Laboratory Safety Manual and Chemical Hygiene Plan.
Refer to instructions for assistance.
Department:
Chemistry
Date SOP was written:
11/6/2012
Date SOP was approved by PI/lab supervisor:
Principal Investigator:
Richmond Sarpong
Internal Lab Safety Coordinator/Lab Manager:
Lab Phone:
1/13/2013
Rebecca Murphy
510-643-2485
Office Phone:
510-643-6312
Emergency Contact:
Richmond Sarpong 626-644-2407
Location(s) covered by this SOP:
Latimer 834, 836, 837, 838, 839, 842, 844, 847, 849,
907
(Name and Phone Number)
(Building/Room Number)
Type of SOP:
Vinyl acetate
☒ Process
☒Hazardous Chemical
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SOP Template developed by The UC Center for Laboratory Safety
☐ Hazardous Class
Date: 9/1/2012
Purpose
Vinyl acetate or vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) is an acute and chronic toxin. Possible carcinogen.
Extremely flammable liquid.
Irritating to eyes and respiratory system. Slightly irritating to the skin. Keep away from heat, sparks and flame.
Avoid exposure, do not breathe vapor or mist. Avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothing. May cause target organ damage.
Vinyl acetate can be polymerized to make polyvinyl acetate
Physical & Chemical Properties/Definition of Chemical Group
CAS#: 108-05-4
Class: Highly flammable liquid, toxic, possible carcinogen
Molecular Formula: CH3COOCH=CH2
Form (physical state): Liquid
Color: Colorless to light yellow
Boiling point: 72.2°C
Potential Hazards/Toxicity
Vinyl acetate is a highly flammable liquid. Toxic. May be carcinogenic.
Vinyl acetate has a threshold limit value - time weighted average (TWA) of 30 mg/m³ 8 hours and 10 ppm 8 hours.
May cause gastrointestinal irriation with nausea and vomiting. If inhaled, may cause respiratory tract irritation with burning pain, shortness of
breath. Exposure to skin may cause irritation. May cause respiratory irritation. May be harmful if inhaled, absorbed through the skin, in contact with
eyes, or if swallowed
Inflammation of the eye is characterized by redness, watering, and itching. Skin inflammation is characterized by itching, scaling, reddening, or,
occasionally, blistering.
Vinyl acetate
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SOP Template developed by The UC Center for Laboratory Safety
Date: 9/1/2012
Vinyl acetate has the following toxicity data:
Acute oral toxicity (LD50): 1613 mg/kg [Mouse].
Acute dermal toxicity (LD50): 2335 mg/kg [Rabbit].
Acute toxicity of the gas (LC50): 2828.4 ppm 4 hour(s) [Rat].
Acute toxicity of the vapor (LC50): 1550 ppm 4 hour(s) [Mouse].
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Respirator Protection
Respirators should be used only under any of the following circumstances:
 As a last line of defense (i.e., after engineering and administrative controls have been exhausted).
 When Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) has exceeded or when there is a possibility that PEL will be exceeded.
 Regulations require the use of a respirator.
 An employer requires the use of a respirator.
 There is potential for harmful exposure due to an atmospheric contaminant (in the absence of PEL)
 As PPE in the event of a chemical spill clean-up process
Lab personnel intending to use/wear a respirator mask must be trained and fit-tested by EH&S. This is a regulatory requirement.
Hand Protection Gloves must be worn with when handling peroxide-forming chemicals. Gloves must be inspected prior to use. Use proper
glove removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product. Wash and dry hands. Nitrile gloves are
recommended.
NOTE: Consult with your preferred glove manufacturer to ensure that the gloves you plan on using are compatible with vinyl acetate.
For glove selection, go to: http://ehs.berkeley.edu/hs/63-laboratory-safety/94-glove-selection-and-usage.html
Eye Protection
Vinyl acetate
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SOP Template developed by The UC Center for Laboratory Safety
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Safety glasses with side shields or tightly fitting safety goggles. Use goggles and face shield (8-inch minimum) when appropriate. Only use
equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as ANSI Z 87.1, NIOSH (US), or EN 166(EU).
Skin and Body Protection
Flame resistant lab coats must be worn and be appropriately sized for the individual and buttoned to their full length. Laboratory coat sleeves must
be of sufficient length to prevent skin exposure while wearing gloves. As outlined in Policy 905 personnel should also wear full length pants, or
equivalent, and close-toed shoes. Full length pants and close-toed shoes must be worn at all times by all individuals that are occupying the
laboratory area. The area of skin between the shoe and ankle should not be exposed.
Hygiene Measures
Wash thoroughly and immediately after handling. Wash hands before breaks and at the end of workday. Remove contaminated clothing and wash
before reuse.
Engineering Controls
Work with peroxide-forming chemicals must be conducted in a fume hood unless other controls are designated in the Protocol/Procedure
section. Sash height must be kept low to avoid escaping fumes and provide explosion barrier. Use supplemental explosion protective equipment
like a blast shield where appropriate to protect from explosions in the case of peroxide detonation. Make sure all equipment and lines are
grounded.
First Aid Procedures
Notify supervisor and EH&S immediately. Follow up with a call to 510-642-9090 to report the incident.
If inhaled
Move into the fresh air immediately and give oxygen. If not breathing give artificial respiration. Get medical attention immediately.
In case of skin contact
Immediately flush skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes while removing contaminated clothing and shoes. Wash clothing before reuse.
Thoroughly clean shoes before reuse. Get medical attention immediately.
In case of eye contact
Check for and remove any contact lenses. Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and consult a physician. Seek immediate
medical attention and continue eye rinse during transport to hospital.
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SOP Template developed by The UC Center for Laboratory Safety
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If swallowed
Do NOT induce vomiting unless directed by SDS. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Seek medical attention immediately.
Special Handling and Storage Requirements
Working alone Certain extremely hazardous operations should not be performed if the PI or Lab Safety Contact(s) are not present. Never work
alone with extremely hazardous materials/operations. See the Protocol/Procedure section for specific prohibitions (if any) on working alone.
Precautions for safe handling: Avoid contact with skin and eyes and inhalation. Avoid dust formation or breathing vapors, mist, or gas. Use only
with adequate ventilation or respiratory protection. Keep away from heat or sources of ignition. Prevent any build-up of electrostatic charge.
Conditions for safe storage: Conditions for safe storage: Keep container tightly closed in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place. Isolate from
incompatible materials and conditions. Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage. Light
sensitive. Store in original
General Precautions
Minimize the quantity of peroxides or peroxide forming chemicals in the lab.
Label each container with the Date Received, Date Opened and Date Last Tested.
Segregate these compounds from incompatible materials. Store away from ignition sources. Protect from flames, static electricity, and sources
of heat.
Test chemicals for peroxide before any distillation or purification of peroxide forming chemicals.
NEVER distill potential peroxide-forming chemicals to dryness. Always leave a minimum of 20% still bottoms. When possible, add a non-volatile
organic compound (such as mineral oil) to dilute any peroxides remaining after distillation.
Use extreme caution before concentrating or purifying peroxide forming chemicals as most explosions occur during these processes.
Wear proper personal protective equipment, including safety eyewear and face shields, when working with peroxide forming chemicals.
Minimize peroxide formation in ethers by storing in tightly sealed containers in a cool place in the absence of light.
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SOP Template developed by The UC Center for Laboratory Safety
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If solids or crystals are observed in either the liquid or around the cap of peroxide forming chemicals, do not open or move the container but
contact EH&S for disposal.
Visual Inspection: Visually inspect all peroxide-forming chemicals before any operation. Containers that exhibit any unusual visual
characteristics, such as the examples listed below, should be assumed to contain dangerous levels of peroxides and should not be disturbed.
Notify EH&S, who will assist in the further evaluation. If there is any doubt about the safety of handling a chemical container, notify EH&S
immediately.
For liquid chemicals, look for crystallization (around the cap or in the liquid), visible discoloration, or liquid stratification. Diethyl ether is
commonly sold in steel containers which prevents visual inspection of the liquid. Therefore, diethyl ether containers whose age and use history
are unknown should be assumed to contain dangerous levels of peroxides and should not be disturbed.
For solid chemicals (potassium metal, potassium amide, and sodium amide), look for discoloration and/or formation of a surface crust (for
example, potassium metal forms a yellow or orange superoxide at the surface). Evaluation of alkali metals and their amides is based on visual
criteria only. These substances react strongly with water and oxygen, and the standard operating procedures for pyrophoric compounds should
be followed for these chemicals.
Materials not passing visual inspection are considered to be high risk and will have to be disposed of by special means (limit handling and
movement; notify EH&S). Only chemicals that pass visual inspection should be tested.
Testing for Peroxides
Note: Never try to force open a rusted or stuck cap on a container of a peroxide-forming chemical.
There is a great deal of uncertainty regarding the concentration at which peroxides pose a hazard to researchers. Various
sources suggest that the minimum hazardous concentration of peroxides in organic solution is in the range 0.005 - 1.0% (5010000 PPM). In most safety literature, a conservative concentration of 100 PPM peroxides is used as a control point.
By the end of the expiration date (as indicated in Table 2) for a particular peroxide forming chemical, the person using the
chemical should either dispose of it or test it for peroxide content. Any container found to have a peroxide concentration
greater than or equal to 100 PPM should be disposed of (call EHS&S for assistance). Materials which are older than the
suggested shelf life but have been tested and have no detectable peroxides or peroxide concentrations less than 100 PPM
may be retained but should be tested at frequent intervals (see Table 2). All chemicals which are to be distilled must be tested
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SOP Template developed by The UC Center for Laboratory Safety
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prior to distillation regardless of age. Important note: Researchers should never test containers of unknown age or origin.
Older containers are far more likely to have concentrated peroxides or peroxide crystallization in the cap threads and
therefore can present a serious hazard when opened for testing. Please read section below on managing older containers.
INSERT #17
There are several methods that are commonly used to detect for peroxides in the laboratory. Perhaps the most convenient
method is the use of peroxide test strips which are manufactured by Aldrich and several other suppliers. These strips are simple
to use and can be obtained from EHS&S. For volatile organic chemicals, the test strip is immersed in the chemical for 1 second;
then the tester breathes slowly on the strip for 15-30 seconds or until the color stabilizes. The color is then compared with a
colorimetric scale provided on the bottle. Strips that offer a 1-100 PPM peroxide range are useful for determining if the material
is below the control point of 100 PPM. Other testing methods are available. Contact EHS&S for more information.
Purchasing
Ideally, purchases of peroxidizable chemicals should be restricted to ensure that these chemicals are used up completely before
they can become peroxidized. This requires careful experiment planning on behalf of researchers. Researchers should
purchase no more material than is needed to complete an experiment within the chemical’s safe shelf life.
INSERT #17
Storage and Shelf Life
Peroxides tend to form in materials as a function of age. Therefore, it is imperative that researchers are keenly aware of the
age of their peroxidizable chemicals. Researchers must date each container of peroxidizable chemical upon arrival in the
laboratory. Containers must be dated again when opened for the first time. Additional dates of testing should be added in
certain cases (see below). Special labels as depicted below make dating of the containers convenient. These labels are
available free of charge from EHS&S.
For uninhibited vinyl actetate (on List C), materials: 24 hours and Inhibited: 12 months2 the safe shelf life.
Suggested time limits are given for retention or testing of these compounds. However, it must be noted
that these shelf life durations are minimum criteria; many other references recommend more frequent
testing for peroxides.
Peroxide forming chemicals should be stored in their original manufacturer’s container whenever possible. This is very
important in the case of diethyl ether because the iron in the steel containers that this material is shipped in acts as a
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SOP Template developed by The UC Center for Laboratory Safety
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peroxide inhibitor. In general, peroxidizable chemicals should be stored in sealed, air-impermeable containers and should be
kept away from light (light can initiate peroxide formation). Dark amber glass with a tight fitting cap is appropriate
Label for peroxide forming chemicals
Warning: May Form Explosive Peroxides
Store in tightly closed original container. Avoid exposure to light, air and heat. If crystals, discoloration or layering
is visible, do not move or open and contact EHS&S immediately. Check for peroxides before distilling or
concentrating.
This Chemical has a limited shelf life!
Date Received
Date Opened
Test or dispose
months after receipt or
months after opening.
Do not use chemical if >100 PPM peroxides are detected.
Test date
Test date
Peroxides
Peroxides
PPM
PPM
Spill and Accident Procedure
Chemical Spill Dial 911
Spill – Assess the extent of danger. Help contaminated or injured persons. Evacuate the spill area. Avoid breathing vapors. If possible, confine
the spill to a small area using a spill kit or absorbent material. Keep others from entering contaminated area (e.g., use caution tape, barriers,
etc.). Dial 911 and 510-642-9090 for assistance.
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SOP Template developed by The UC Center for Laboratory Safety
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Chemical Spill on Body or Clothes – Remove clothing and rinse body thoroughly in emergency shower for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical
attention. Notify supervisor and EH&S immediately. Follow up with a call to 510-642-9090 to report the incident.
Chemical Splash Into Eyes – Immediately rinse eyeball and inner surface of eyelid with water from the emergency eyewash station for 15
minutes by forcibly holding the eye open. Seek medical attention. Notify supervisor and EH&S immediately. Follow up with a call to 510-6429090 to report the incident.
Medical Emergency Dial 911
Life Threatening Emergency, After Hours, Weekends And Holidays – Dial 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Note: All serious injuries
must be reported to EH&S within 8 hours. Follow up with a call to 510-642-9090 to report the incident.
Non-Life Threatening Emergency – Go to the Occupational Health Facility. At all other times report to the nearest emergency room. Note: All
serious injuries must be reported to EH&S within 8 hours. Follow up with a call to 510-642-9090 to report the incident.
Needle stick/puncture exposure exposure (as applicable to chemical handling procedure) – Wash the affected area with antiseptic soap and
warm water for 15 minutes. For mucous membrane exposure, flush the affected area for 15 minutes using an eyewash station. Go to the
Occupational Health Facility (Tang Health Center). After hours go to the nearest emergency room. Note: All needle stick/puncture exposures
must be reported to EH&S within 8 hours. Follow up with a call to 510-642-9090 to report the incident.
Hazardous Waste Disposal
Using proper personal protective equipment as outlined above, decontaminate equipment and bench tops using soap and water and properly
dispose of all chemical and contaminated disposables as hazardous waste following the guidelines below.
General hazardous waste disposal guidelines:
Label Waste
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SOP Template developed by The UC Center for Laboratory Safety
Date: 9/1/2012

Label all containers with the label provided at http://ehs.berkeley.edu/hm/279-new-hazardous-waste-program-hwp.html. See the EH&S Fact
Sheet, “Hazardous Waste Management” for general instructions on procedures for disposing of hazardous waste.
Dispose of Waste


Dispose of regularly generated chemical waste within 6 months.
Call EH&S for questions.
Management and disposal of old containers
Older containers of peroxidizable chemicals, or containers of unknown age or history, must be handled very carefully and
should never be opened by researchers. Any peroxidizable chemical with visible discoloration, crystallization or liquid
stratification should be treated as potentially explosive. Older steel containers that have visible rust may also be extremely
dangerous. If any of these conditions are observed on a peroxidizable chemical or if the origin and age of the container are
unknown, do not attempt to move or open the container. Please call EHS&S for assistance. We will arrange to have the
container(s) inspected and if necessary will arrange for disposal.
Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Location
SDS can be accessed online at http://ucmsds.com
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SOP Template developed by The UC Center for Laboratory Safety
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Protocol/Procedure
Protocol/Procedure for– Vinyl Acetate
Preparation
Know the location of the nearest fire extinguisher, eyewash, and safety shower before beginning work.
Eliminate any incompatible materials from the potential spill area.
Never work alone. Make sure there is another worker present who is also trained in the Vinyl acetate SOP.
Lab-specific
Information
Procedure/Use
Scale
Engineering
Controls/Equipment
PPE (eye, face, gloves, clothing)
Procedure Steps and Special
Precautions for this Procedure
Vinyl acetate can
be used as a
reagent in a wide
range of organic
reactions.
For small
quantities
(<10 mL) a
syringe
should be
used to
transfer vinyl
acetate from
its container
to the
reaction
vessel
Vinyl acetate must be used
in the fume hood as
exposure can resulted in
eye irritation and upper
respiratory tract irritation.
Vinyl acetate is classified
as flammable (flash point 7.7 °C) so it should not be
used in the presence
anything that can create a
spark (ex. Bunsen burner,
heat gun, etc.)
Vinyl acetate should be
stored in chemical reagent
bottles provided by
chemical suppliers.
It can be disposed of if it no
Eye protection: Wear tight-fitting
safety goggles or safety glasses
with side shields.
Face protection: Wear a face
shield if not protected by a fume
hood sash.
Clothing: Wear flame resistant
lab coat; full length pants or
equivalent; and close-toed, closeheeled shoes.
Gloves: Wear gloves – butyl
gloves recommended. Change
glove as soon as contaminated.
Wear flame resistant lab coat; full
length pants
<10 ml, 10ml-60 ml or > 60 ml can be
added slowly to the reaction vessel
For
intermediate
quantities
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SOP Template developed by The UC Center for Laboratory Safety
Date: 9/1/2012
(10-60 mL)
either a
syringe or
graduated
cylinder may
be used to
transfer the
reagent.
longer appears as it should
based on the supplier
description. It can be added
to standard liquid waste.
Large
quantities
(>60 mL)
may be
transferred
using a
graduated
cylinder. For
intermediate
quantities
(10-60 mL)
either a
syringe or
graduated
cylinder may
be used to
transfer the
reagent.
Notes
Initials of
individuals using
this procedure
Any deviation from this SOP requires approval from PI.
NOTE
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SOP Template developed by The UC Center for Laboratory Safety
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Any deviation from this SOP requires approval from PI.
Documentation of Training (signature of all users is required)

Prior to conducting any work with vinyl acetate, designated personnel must provide training to his/her laboratory personnel specific to the
hazards involved in working with this substance, work area decontamination, and emergency procedures.

The Principal Investigator must provide his/her laboratory personnel with a copy of this SOP and a copy of the SDS provided by the
manufacturer.

The Principal Investigator must ensure that his/her laboratory personnel have attended appropriate laboratory safety training or refresher
training within the last one year.
I have read and understand the content of this SOP:
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SOP Template developed by The UC Center for Laboratory Safety
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