Standard Operating Procedures
Laboratory Specific
Chemical: Ammonium Persulfate
Please fill out the form completely. Print a copy and insert into your
Laboratory Safety Manual and Chemical Hygiene Plan.
Refer to instructions for assistance.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Department:________________________
Date when SOP was written:_______
Date when SOP was approved by the lab supervisor: ___________________
Principal Investigator:___________________________________________________
Internal Laboratory Safety Coordinator/Lab Manager:___________________________________
Laboratory Phone:____________________ Office Phone:_____________________
Emergency Contact:____________________________________________________
(Name and Phone Number)
Location(s) covered by this SOP:__________________________________________
(Building/Room Number)
_____________________________________________________________________________
Type of SOP:
Process
Hazardous Chemical
Hazardous Class
Purpose
Ammonium persulfate is a strong oxidizer and a Potentially Explosive Chemical (PEC). If not
stored and handled properly, this can pose a serious threat to the health and safety of laboratory
personnel, emergency responders and chemical waste handlers.
Physical & Chemical Properties/Definition of Chemical Group
CAS#:
7727-54-0
Class:
Potentially Explosive Chemical
Molecular formula:
(NH4)2S2O8
Synonyms:
Ammonium Peroxydisulfate (AP); Peroxydisulfuric Acid, Diammonium
Salt; Diammonium peroxydisulfate
Appearance:
white crystals
Odor:
Odorless
Solubility:
80 g/100 g water @ 25 °C
1
Specific Gravity:
1.98 @ 20/4 °C
Melting Point:
decomposes at 120 °C
Potential Hazards/Toxicity
Emergency Overview
OSHA Hazards
Oxidizer, Harmful by ingestion, Harmful by skin absorption, Skin and respiratory sensitizer, Irritant
GHS Label elements, including precautionary statements
Pictogram
Signal word: Danger
Hazard statement(s)
H272 May intensify fire; oxidizer.
H302 + H312 Harmful if swallowed or in contact with skin.
H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
H317 May cause an allergic skin reaction.
H334 May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled.
H371 May cause damage to organs.
H402 Harmful to aquatic life
.
Precautionary statement(s)
P220 Keep/Store away from clothing/ combustible materials.
P260 Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapors/spray.
P280 Wear protective gloves
P305 + P351 + P338 IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove
contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
P310 Immediately call POISON CENTER or doctor/physician.
HMIS Classification
Health hazard: 3
Flammability: 0
Physical hazards: 3
NFPA Rating
Health hazard: 3
Fire: 0
Reactivity Hazard: 3
Potential Health Effects
2
Inhalation May be harmful if inhaled. Causes respiratory tract irritation.
Skin Harmful if absorbed through skin. Causes skin irritation.
Eyes Causes eye irritation.
Ingestion Harmful if swallowed.
Potential Acute Health Effects:
 Inhalation: may irritate the mucous membranes. May cause lung edema. Symptoms may
include sore throat, shortness of breath, inflammation of nasal passages, coughing, and
wheezing. Any exposure may cause an allergic reaction. Asthma-like symptoms and lifethreatening shock may result.
 Ingestion: corrosive. May produce abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.
 Skin Contact: corrosive. May cause skin burns.
 Eye Contact: may cause severe irritation and pain.
Potential Chronic Health Effects:
 Prolonged skin contact may cause an allergic reaction with dermatitis.
 Persons with impaired respiratory function may be more susceptible to the effects of the
substance.
Basic Training Requirements

Lab personnel working with Ammonium Persulfate must have attended the ‘Lab Safety
Fundamental Concepts’ (LSFC) classroom training offered by EH&S. Please refer to the
link below for training schedule and enrollment information:
http://map.ais.ucla.edu/go/1003938#Laboratory_Safety

Lab personnel working with Ammonium Persulfate must read and sign this SOP on the
last page.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Respiratory protection
General guidelines: Respirators should be used only under any 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. (http://map.ais.ucla.edu/go/1004655)
Hand protection
Handle with one of the types of gloves: Nitrile/Neoprene/Natural Rubber/Butyl Rubber/PVC/Viton
http://www.allsafetyproducts.biz/page/74172
Gloves must be inspected prior to use.
Use proper glove removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact
with Ammonium Persulfate.
Wash and dry hands.
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Eye protection
Safety goggles.
Skin and body protection
Fire/flame resistant lab coat (100% cotton based)
Cotton based clothing/attire.
Full length pants or equivalent
Close toed shoes
Hygiene measures
Avoid contact with skin, eyes and clothing.
Wash hands before breaks and immediately after handling Ammonium Persulfate.
Engineering Controls

Safety shielding shall be used for any operation having the potential for explosion,
including the following situations:
 When a reaction is attempted for the first time (small quantities of reactants should be
used to minimize hazards);
 When a familiar reaction is carried out on a larger than usual scale (i.e., 5-10 times
more material); or

When operations are carried out under non-ambient conditions.


Shields must be placed so that all personnel in the area are protected from hazard.
All operations involving PECs and dilutions should be carried out in a EH&S certified
fume hood to keep airborne level below recommended exposure limits.

Chemical fume hoods must have a face velocity of 100 lfm, averaged over the face of the
hood and must be certified annually.

Laboratory rooms must be at negative pressure with respect to the corridors and external
environment. The laboratory/room door must be kept closed at all times.
First Aid Procedures
General advice
Consult a physician. Show the MSDS to the doctor in attendance. Move out of dangerous area.
If inhaled
If breathed in, move person into fresh air. If not breathing give artificial respiration Consult a
physician.
In case of skin contact
Wash off with soap and plenty of water. Consult a physician.
In case of eye contact
Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and consult a physician.
If swallowed
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Rinse mouth with water. Consult a
physician.
Skin & Eye Exposure:
Minor skin contact requires washing with water. Soaking or
flushing contaminated areas of the skin with water for periods up
to 15 minutes is required if a large area comes into contact with
the chemical, or if prolonged contact occurs. Contaminated
clothing may hold the chemicals in contact with the skin without
being immediately noticed.
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In the event of eye contact, the eye should be immediately be
flushed with water. If the chemical is very irritating, it is likely that
the affected individual will require assistance to hold the eye
open during the flushing.
Ingestion:
Do NOT induce vomiting unless directed to do so by medical
personnel. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious
person. If large quantities of this material are swallowed, call a
physician immediately. Loosen tight clothing such as a collar, tie,
belt or waistband.
Inhalation:
Remove rapidly to clean air. Administer rescue breathing if
necessary and call emergency services. Seek medical attention
if needed.
Special Handling and Storage Requirements








Keep in a tightly closed container, stored in a cool, dry, ventilated area.
Protect against physical damage.
Isolate from any source of heat or ignition.
Containers of this material may be hazardous when empty since they retain product
residues (dust, solids); observe all warnings and precautions listed for the product.
Do not store with organic solvents or acids
Do not store near combustibles
Do not store near high heat
Moisture sensitive. Keep in a dry place.
Chemical stability
May decompose on exposure to moist air or water.
Materials to avoid
Strong reducing agents, Organic materials, Powdered metals
Hazardous decomposition products
Hazardous decomposition products formed under fire conditions. - nitrogen oxides (NOx), Sulfur
oxides
Designated Areas

Ammonium persulfate must be handled inside a fume hood.

Ammonium persulfate must not be stored in a flammable cabinet.

Ammonium persulfate needs to be secondarily contained and labeled as “EXPLOSION
RISK”

Signage is required for the container, designated work area and storage location. Sign
wording must state the following:
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“EXPLOSION RISK & STRONG OXIDIZER”
Spill and Accident Procedure
Fire-Fighting & Extinguishing media
Suitable extinguishing media
Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.
Specific hazards arising from the chemical
Container explosion may occur under fire conditions.
Special protective equipment for fire-fighters
Wear SCBA Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus for fire-fighting if necessary.
Further information
May intensify fire; oxidizer. Use water spray to cool unopened containers.
Chemical Spill Dial 911 and x59797
Accidental Release/Spill – Help contaminated or injured persons. Evacuate the spill area.
Avoid breathing vapors. Eliminate sources of ignition if the chemical is flammable. 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 from campus phone or 310-825-1491 from cell phone and EH&S Hotline at 310-8259797 for assistance.
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
at x59797 immediately.
Chemical Splash Into Eyes – Immediately rinse eyeball and inner surface of eyelid with
water for 15 minutes by forcibly holding the eye open. Seek medical attention. Notify supervisor
and EH&S at x59797 immediately.
Medical Emergency Dial 911 or x52111
Life Threatening Emergency, After Hours, Weekends And Holidays – Dial 911
(or 310-825-1491 from cell phone) or contact the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center
(emergency room) directly at x52111 (located at 757 Westwood Plaza, enter from Gayley
Avenue). Note: All serious injuries must be reported to EH&S at x59797 within 8 hours.
Non-Life Threatening Emergency– Go to the Occupational Health Facility (OHF),
x56771, CHS room 67-120 (This is on the 6th floor, 7th corridor, room 120. Enter through the
School of Dentistry on Tiverton Drive and proceed to the “O” elevator to the 6th floor.)Hours: M F, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. At all other times report to Ronald Regan UCLA Medical Center
(emergency room) at x52111. Note: All serious injuries must be reported to EH&S at x59797
within 8 hours.
Decontamination/Waste Disposal Procedure
No waste streams containing PECs shall be disposed of in sinks. Decontaminate work space with
70-75% ethanol. Wash hands and arms with soap and water after finished.
Waste containers containing PEC must be labeled:
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“EXPLOSION RISK”
General hazardous waste disposal guidelines:
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Label Waste
o Affix an on-line hazardous waste tag on all waste containers using the Online
Tag Program http://otp.ucop.edu/ as soon as the first drop of waste is added to
the container
Store Waste
o Store hazardous waste in closed containers, in secondary containment and in a
designated location
o Double-bag dry waste using transparent bags
http://map.ais.ucla.edu/go/1002774
o Waste must be under the control of the person generating & disposing of it
Dispose of Waste
o Dispose of regularly generated chemical waste within 90 days
o Call EH&S at x61887 for questions
o Empty Containers
 Dispose as hazardous waste if it once held extremely hazardous waste
(irrespective of the container size)
http://ehs.ucla.edu/Pub/ExtremelyHazardousWaste.pdf
o Consult waste pick-up schedule
http://ehs.ucla.edu/pub/HazWaste%20Pickup%20Schedule.pdf
o Prepare for transport to pick-up location
 Check on-line waste tag
 Write date of pick-up on the waste tag
 Use secondary containment
 Wear eye protection & closed toe shoes; bring gloves
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) Location
Hardcopy or electronic copy of the MSDS must be available
Online MSDS can be accessed at http://msds.ehs.ucla.edu.
Protocol/Procedure:
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

Wear appropriate PPE (goggles, fire resistant (cotton) lab coat/apron, gloves, closed
toe shoes) before working with Ammonium Nitrate
Place stock bottle back in the designated storage cabinet with cap tightly closed
Refer to experimental protocols located in the experimental procedures manual for
usage details
Any deviation from this SOP requires approval from PI.
Documentation of Training (signature of all users is required)

Prior to conducting any work with ammonium persulfate, 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 ammonium persulfate MSDS 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 two years.
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I have read and understand the content of this SOP:
Name
Signature
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Date