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Standard Operating Procedure
_________________________________________________
Date:
1/2011
SOP Title:
Cleaning of glass using potassium hydroxide in ethanol
Principal Investigator:
Room and Building:
Lab Phone Number:
Section 1 – Process
Using magnetic stirrer, dissolve potassium hydroxide (KOH) pellets into ~ 600 mL ethanol to
saturation, about 15%, in a 1 L beaker. The beaker will get quite warm. Cover with aluminum
foil and immerse your slides or cover slips in the beaker with the Teflon holder. Sonicate 5 min.
Rinse the glass in the holder in 3 beakers of distilled water and sonicate in the third beaker of
water for 5 min. Using distilled deionized water in a squirt bottle, carefully and extensively rinse
each cover slip. Then rinseeach coverslip extensively with ethanol and dry in the 60C oven.
Store in a vacuum chamber to prevent dust adsorption.
Section 2 – Hazardous Chemicals
Potassium hydroxide
Ethanol
Section 3 – Potential Hazards
The potassium hydroxide-saturated ethanol solution is extremely CORROSIVE and causes
caustic burns.
AVOID CONTACT WITH SKIN OR CLOTHES! DO NOT DISPOSE IN SINK. Be careful
what container you use to store it (see section 6). Read MSDS for more information.
Ethanol is a FLAMMABL LIQUID
Section 4 – Approvals Required
Training by experienced lab member and supervision during first use of this protocol.
Section 5 – Designated Area
Chemical bench, sonicator, sink, and drying oven.
Section 6 – Special Handling Procedures and Storage
Requirements
Potassium hydroxide/ethanol waste must be picked up by EH&S. In the mean time, store the
waste in heavy glass bottles. Note that the solution will soften and eat through some plastics, so
plastic bottles are not recommended. The solution also slowly etches glass, but heavy glass can
be used to store it for a couple of months. ALWAYS USE SECONDARY CONTAINMENT
with potassium hydroxide/ethanol waste and do not store it in the same secondary container as
acids or oxidizers.
Store waste in tightly closed container in a cool, dry area away from sources of ignition. Dispose
via EH&S pickup, not down the sink.
Section 7 – Personal Protective Equipment
Heavy gloves (nitrile at least, rubber gloves best), safety goggles, and a lab coat.
Section 8 – Engineering/Ventilation Controls
Cover the container while sonicating to prevent splashing. Extensively rinse the glassware used
with water to dilute out any trace remnants of potassium hydroxide. Make sure eyewash is
nearby and working properly.
Section 9 – Spill and Accident Procedures
Sop up caustic liquid with paper towels (while wearing heavy gloves and PPE) and dispose of the
towels via EH&S, not in trash. Rinse area extensively with water to dilute out the base. Clean
with soap and water until pH is not hazardous. Call EH&S (510) 642-3073 to request further
instructions.
Section 10 – Waste Disposal
Store waste in tightly closed heavy glass container in a cool, dry area away from sources of
ignition and strong oxidizers (like piranha!). Use secondary containment. Dispose via EH&S
pickup, not down the sink.
Section 11 - Decontamination
Dilute out any contaminating residue with water and avoid exposure to skin or breathing vapor.
Section 12 – Process Steps
Process Steps
Safety Measures
Training Documentation
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