NIU Biological Sciences Standard Operating Procedure
#1
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Procedure Title
Working with strong acids or bases
Procedure Author
Barrie Bode
Date of
Creation/Revision
September 20, 2012
Name of Responsible
Person
Barrie Bode or Graduate/Undergraduate Students
Location of Procedure
Montgomery 412
Approval Signature
#2
N/A
THIS STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE (SOP) IS FOR A:
Specific laboratory procedure or experiment
Generic laboratory procedure that covers several chemicals
Generic use of specific chemical or class of chemicals with similar hazards
#3
PROCESS OR EXPERIMENT DESCRIPTION
Occasionally, solutions need to be adjusted for pH value through the use of strong
acids or bases; likewise more dilute acid or base solutions are made for this purpose
from more concentrated stock solutions.
Frequency:
Duration per
Expt:
#4
□ one time □ daily  weekly  monthly (as needed)
□ other:_____________
N/A
SAFETY LITERATURE REVIEW & HAZARD SUMMARY
For assistance with this form contact NIU Environmental Health and Safety, 815-753-0404.
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NIU Biological Sciences Standard Operating Procedure
Strong acids and bases are corrosive and can cause chemical burns. Thus, they
must be handled using appropriate PPE such as gloves, safety glasses and lab
coats. Moreover, acids such as 12 N HCl can generate toxic vapors (chlorine gas)
and must be opened in a fume hood.
#5
STORAGE REQUIREMENTS
Strong acids such as 12 N HCl, Sulfuric, Nitric, Trichloroacetic, Trifluoroacetic and
Glacial Acetic Acids must be stored in a corrosives cabinet. Strong bases such as
sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide must be stored separately, typically in
tubs or other similar receptacles to contain any spills.
#6
STEP-BY-STEP OPERATING PROCEDURE
For assistance with this form contact NIU Environmental Health and Safety, 815-753-0404.
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NIU Biological Sciences Standard Operating Procedure
1. When a strong acid or base needs to be used in solution preparation, first don
personal protective equipment.
 appropriate street clothing (close-toed shoes)
 gloves; Nitrile – located in the glove boxes in MO 411 and 412.
□ safety goggles  safety glasses □ face shield
 lab coats
2. Check the location and accessibility of the safety equipment that serves your
lab:
ITEM
Laboratory Fume Hood
Eyewash Stations
STATUS
Location: Montgomery 412
Location: Sinks in MO 411 and 412
3. Remove the bottle of concentrated acid or base and place in the fume hood.
4. Open the bottle and remove the required amount of acid or base using a pipet,
or by pouring into a graduated cylinder. Be particularly careful with concentrated
HCl, as chlorine vapors will emerge from the bottle initially upon opening.
5. When making a more dilute solution always add acid or base to water; never
water to the concentrated stock, which can cause a violent chemical reaction.
6. Re-cap the stock solution bottle and place back into the appropriate storage
facility (corrosive cabinet or storage tubs)
7. Use the acid or base solution to pH the solution using a transfer or micropipette.
8. Dispose of tips or transfer pipets in the regular trash and if necessary, residual
acid or base solution may be disposed of in the sink with copious amounts of
water.
9. Remove PPE and wash hands.
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WASTE DISPOSAL
For assistance with this form contact NIU Environmental Health and Safety, 815-753-0404.
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NIU Biological Sciences Standard Operating Procedure
Empty acid or base bottles may be triple-rinsed with water, and after the labels are
removed or defaced, may be thrown in the trash or recycled as appropriate.
#8 TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
General Training (check all that apply):
General Safety & Emergency Preparedness
Chemical Safety for Laboratories
□Radiation Safety
□Biosafety training
□Other:________________________
Depending on the hazardous materials and processes you will be working with
in this SOP, additional safety training may be required by NIU. [PRECEDING
GUIDANCE TEXT MAY BE DELETED]
Location Where Records
Maintained:
Montgomery 412 on front desk
Laboratory-specific training (check all that apply):
□ Review of SDS for other chemicals involved in process/experiment
 Review of this SOP
□Other:_________________________
Location Where Records
Maintained:
#9
Montgomery 412 on front desk
PRIOR APPROVALS
N/A
For assistance with this form contact NIU Environmental Health and Safety, 815-753-0404.
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