HYDRAZINE
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE TEMPLATE
Type of SOP:
Process
Hazardous Chemical
Hazard Class
To customize this SOP, add lab-specific information to the sections below
marked in RED, as applicable. Completion of the last section (“LabSpecific Information”) is required. Also, any of the content below may be
amended with lab-specific information to enhance worker safety as desired.
HAZARD OVERVIEW
Danger!
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Strong reducing agent
Fire and explosion risk in contact with oxidizing agents
May be fatal if absorbed through the skin
Causes eye and skin burns
Causes digestive and respiratory tract burns
Flammable liquid and vapor
Harmful if inhaled or swallowed
May cause allergic skin reaction
Cancer suspect agent
May cause blood abnormalities
May cause liver and kidney damage
Hydrazine is acutely toxic via ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact. Symptoms of
exposure may include irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, dizziness, headache,
nausea, pulmonary edema, seizures, and coma, as well as possible damage to the
liver, kidneys and central nervous system. It is corrosive and causes severe damage to
the skin and eyes upon contact. It is also a carcinogen, a sensitizer, and a reproductive
toxin. Both acute and chronic exposure should absolutely be avoided.
Hydrazine is also reactive and unstable, as illustrated by its use as a rocket propellant.
It is flammable and air, moisture, heat, light and friction sensitive. Great care must be
used in its storage and handling.
EXPOSURE LIMITS
Cal-OSHA has established maximum inhalation exposure limits for workers in
occupational settings for over 500 chemicals. These are known as Permissible
Exposure Limits and can not legally be exceeded. For hydrazine the PEL is very low:
0.01 ppm - 8 hour time weighted average exposure
Template rev. 11/14
Therefore, work with hydrazine should always be done in a fume hood, glove box, or in
totally-sealed containers to keep inhalation exposures as low as possible. Contact
EH&S if you believe you are being exposed. In some instances EH&S can do
quantitative exposure monitoring. Because hydrazine is also a serious skin contact
hazard, skin exposure should also be minimized.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
See the PPE information under Sec. II of the UCSB Chemical Hygiene Plan regarding:
 the UC PPE Policy and policy summary (what PPE is needed and when/where to
use)
 obtaining your PPE via use of the Laboratory Hazard Assessment Tool
 glove selection criteria
 respirator use, etc.
At minimum, complete protection of the eyes and skin is essential. 0.1mm Nitrile rubber
gloves may be used to protect from incidental splashes.
ENGINEERING/VENTILATION CONTROLS
For further information see the following pages in Sec. II of the UCSB Chemical
Hygiene Plan:
 Fume Hood Usage Guide
 Criteria for Implementing Engineering Controls
SPECIAL HANDLING PROCEDURES AND STORAGE REQUIREMENTS
Handling
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Wash thoroughly after handling.
Remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse.
Ground and bond containers when transferring material (i.e., if in a metal
container). For safety reasons, transfer from glass to glass container using
proper techniques (often purged with nitrogen).
Never add water to this product.
Avoid shock and friction.
Explodes on contact with barium oxide, calcium oxide, chromate salts and many
other substances.
Use spark-proof tools and explosion proof equipment.
Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing.
Empty containers retain product residue, (liquid and/or vapor), and can be
dangerous.
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Keep container tightly closed.
Do not ingest or inhale.
Do not pressurize, cut, weld, braze, solder, drill, grind, or expose empty
containers to heat, sparks or open flames.
Keep away from heat, sparks and flame.
Use only with adequate ventilation or respiratory protection.
Storage
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Keep locked up. Keep container dry.
Keep away from heat, sparks & flame.
Keep away from sources of ignition.
Keep away from acids and moisture.
Do not store in direct sunlight or strong incandescent light.
Storage under a nitrogen blanket has been recommended OR inside a glove box
(under inert atmosphere).
Isolate from oxidizing materials and acids.
All hydrazine containers must be stored using secondary container (tray/tub) with
proper signage/caution label.
Hazard communication: Warning/Caution label is required on each hydrazine
container, secondary containment and designated storage cabinets/areas.
Warning/Caution label must state the following:
“CARCINOGEN / CANCER HAZARD or SUSPECT CANCER AGENT &
Reproductive Toxin”
Incompatibility
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Substance is highly reactive reducing agent.
Incompatible with oxidizing agents (including air), acids, and some metal oxides
and metals. Substance may spontaneously ignite in air when in contact with
porous materials.
Ignites on contact with dinitrogen oxide and tetroxide, hydrogen peroxide, tetryl,
and nitric acid. Explodes on contact with dicyanofurazan, n-halomides,
potassium, silver compounds, sodium hydroxide, titanium compounds, and
trioxygen difluoride.
Explosive compounds may result from contact with air chloromethylnitrobenzene, lithium perchlorate, metal salts, methanol +
nitromethane, sodium, and sodium perchlorate.
Also incompatible with barium oxide or calcium oxide, benzeneseleninic acid or
anhydride, calcium, carbon dioxide + stainless steel, 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene,
cotton waste + heavy metals, (difluoroamino) difluoroacetonitrile, iodine
pentoxide, rust, ruthenium(III) oxide, thiocarbonyl azide thiocyanate,
SPILL AND INCIDENT PROCEDURES
See directions under the “Chemical Incident” tab of the UCSB Emergency Information
Flipchart – should already be posted in all labs.
DECONTAMINATION
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.
WASTE DISPOSAL
See “Chemical Waste Disposal” in Sec. II of the UCSB Chemical Hygiene Plan.
PRIOR APPROVAL/REVIEW REQUIRED
As they deem necessary, the PI/supervisor should insert here any prior approval or
review needed before an individual can do the operation
DESIGNATED AREA
As they deem necessary, the PI/supervisor should insert here any information about
whether a special use-area is designated for this material/process
SAFETY DATA SHEETS
Found online at: http://ehs.ucsb.edu/labsafety/msds
LAB-SPECIFIC INFORMATION (required) (Examples of appropriate content)
Add appropriate lab-specific information here describing how this material(s) is
generally used. E.g., name of protocol, typical frequency done, quantities used,
temperature and any additional safety measures, etc.
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