Standard Operating Procedure
Barium Hydroxide
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:
11/29/2012
Date SOP was approved by PI/lab supervisor:
Principal Investigator:
Richmond Sarpong
Internal Lab Safety Coordinator/Lab Manager:
Lab Phone:
11/29/2012
Rebecca Murphy
510-643-2485
Office Phone:
510-643-6312
Emergency Contact:
Richmond Sarpong (626)-644-2407
(Name and Phone Number)
Location(s) covered by this SOP:
Latimer 834,836,837,838,839,842,844,847,907
(Building/Room Number)
Type of SOP:
☐ Process
☒Hazardous Chemical
☐ Hazardous Class
Purpose
Barium hydroxide is a corrosive, strong base. It reacts with strong acids, during which heat is liberated
due to exothermic reaction. 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. Hence, it is
important to follow safety protocols to handle this chemical.
Physical & Chemical Properties/Definition of Chemical Group
CAS#: 17194-00-2
Class: Corrosive
Molecular Formula: Ba(OH)2
Form (physical state): white powder
Color: White
Boiling point: 780 °C
Barium hydroxide (pellets).
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pH: 13.0 – 14
Potential Hazards/Toxicity
OSHA Hazards - Corrosive
Signal word: Danger!
Potential Health Effects
Inhalation May be harmful if inhaled. Material is extremely destructive to the tissue of the mucous
membranes and upper respiratory tract.
Skin May be harmful if absorbed through skin. Causes skin burns.
Eyes Causes eye burns. Causes severe eye burns.
Ingestion May be harmful if swallowed.
Signs and Symptoms of Exposure
Spasm, inflammation and edema of the larynx, spasm, inflammation and edema of the bronchi,
pneumonitis, pulmonary edema, burning sensation, cough, wheezing, laryngitis, shortness of breath,
headache, nausea & vomiting. Material is extremely destructive to tissue of the mucous membranes and
upper respiratory tract, eyes, and skin.
Engineering Controls
NOTE: Lab-specific information on engineering controls may be included in the
Protocol/Procedure section.
Work with barium hydroxide should be conducted in a fume hood unless other controls
are designated in the Protocol/Procedure section. Sash height should be kept low to
avoid escaping fumes and provide a physical barrier.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Hand Protection
Handle with gloves. 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. Dispose of contaminated gloves
after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices. Wash and dry hands. Type
of gloves recommended for barium hydroxide: standard nitrile. For handling concentrated solutions of
barium hydroxide, thicker nitrile gloves or double-gloving is recommended.
NOTE: Lab-specific and chemical-specific information on glove selection may be included in the
Protocol/Procedure section. Refer to glove selection from the link below:
For glove selection, go to: http://ehs.berkeley.edu/hs/63-laboratory-safety/94-glove-selection-andusage.html
Eye Protection
Tightly fitting safety goggles. Use face shield (8-inch minimum) when appropriate (not protected by fume
hood sash for example). Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate
government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU) or ANSI Z87-1.
Barium hydroxide (pellets).
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Skin and Body Protection
Long pants, closed-toed and closed-heeled shoes, cotton-based clothing/attire, and apron/lab coat must
be worn for protecting against chemical hazards. Use acid/base resistant apron/lab coat when working
with concentrated bases.
Hygiene Measures
Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice. Wash hands before breaks and at
the end of workday.
Avoid contact with skin, eyes and clothing.
First Aid Procedures
General advice
Consult a physician. Show the appropriate safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance. Move out of
dangerous area. Call EH&S at 510-642-9090.
If inhaled
If breathed in, move person into fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. Consult a physician.
In case of skin contact
Take off contaminated clothing and shoes immediately. Wash off with soap and plenty of water (under
safety shower). Consult a physician.
In case of eye contact
Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes (using emergency eyewash station) and
consult a physician. Continue rinsing eyes during transport to hospital.
If swallowed
Do NOT induce vomiting. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Rinse mouth with
water. Consult a physician.
Special Handling and Storage Requirements
Precautions for safe handling
Avoid formation of dust and aerosols. Provide appropriate exhaust ventilation at places where dust is
formed. It is recommended to perform all work with barium hydroxide in a chemical fume hood.
Conditions for safe storage
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Materials to avoid: Segregate from;
Strong oxidizing agents, Strong acids, Organic materials
Spill and Accident Procedure
Personal precautions
Use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Avoid dust formation. Avoid breathing dust,
vapors, mist or gas. Ensure adequate ventilation. Evacuate personnel to safe areas.
Barium hydroxide (pellets).
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Environmental precautions
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so. Do not let product enter drains. Discharge into the
environment must be avoided.
Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up
Pick up and arrange disposal without creating dust. Sweep up and shovel. Keep in suitable, closed
containers for disposal. Dispose of the spill clean-up waste according to EH&S guidelines. Wear
appropriate PPE in this work.
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 510-642-9090 immediately.
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 at 510642-9090 immediately.
Medical Emergency Dial 911 and 510-642-9090
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 (Tang Health Center). After hours, 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 510642-9090 to report the incident.
Needle stick/puncture 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.
Decontamination/Waste Disposal Procedure
NOTE: Lab-specific information on decontamination/waste disposal may be included in the
Protocol/Procedure section.
Wearing proper PPE, please decontaminate equipment and bench tops using soap and water.
Barium hydroxide (pellets).
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General hazardous waste disposal guidelines:
Label Waste
•
Label all containers with the label provided at http://ehs.berkeley.edu/hm/279-new-hazardouswaste-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.
Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Location
Online SDS can be accessed at http://ucmsds.com.
Barium hydroxide (pellets).
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Protocol/Procedure - Barium hydroxide
Preparation
Solid and solutions of barium hydroxide should be handled or prepared in a chemical fume hood.
As noted in the table below, appropriate PPE must be worn when working with barium hydroxide.
Know the location of the nearest fire extinguisher, eyewash, and safety shower before beginning work.
Lab-specific
Information
All work for this procedure is to take place in the designated fume hood. Barium hydroxide may be used in quantities from
less than 100mg to 500g. Plan experiments to utilize the minimum amount of the base necessary.
Procedure/Use
Scale
Preparation of 1 – 5
M solutions of
barium hydroxide.
Plan the
experiment
to use the
minimum
amount of
the base
possible.
Unless
directed, do
not use more
than 500
grams at any
one time.
Use of barium
hydroxide as a
reagent in chemical
reactions.
Engineering
Controls/Equipment
Preparation of solutions
and conducting
experiments with barium
hydroxide should be
performed in a chemical
fume hood.
PPE (eye, face, gloves, clothing)
Eye protection: Wear tightfitting safety goggles or safety
glasses with side shields.
Face protection: Consider
wearing a face shield when
working with concentrated base
solutions.
Gloves: Wear nitrile gloves when
working with barium hydroxide.
Double gloving is recommended
when working with concentrated
solutions.
Clothing: Wear an apron/lab
coat resistant to caustics; full
length pants or equivalent; and
Barium hydroxide (pellets).
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Procedure Steps and Special
Precautions for this Procedure
Very hazardous to human skin
exposure. Handle solid pellets or
powders carefully to prevent exposure
to the body.
Slowly add the barium hydroxide
pellets or powder to water as the
solution process is highly exothermic..
Add necessary amount then dispose of
residual waste in the appropriate
container for basic waste.
close-toed and close-heeled
shoes.
Notes
Initials of
individuals using
this procedure
Any deviation from this SOP requires approval from PI.
Barium hydroxide (pellets).
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Documentation of Training (signature and initials of all users is required)

Prior to conducting any work with peroxide forming chemicals, designated personnel must provide
training to his/her laboratory personnel specific to the hazards involved in working with the specific
chemical(s) used, 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.
I have read and understand the content of this SOP:
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Barium hydroxide (pellets).
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