Standard Operating Procedure
Dimethyl sulfate
This is an SOP template and is not complete until the laboratory management has completed
the specific areas identified with red text. Print a copy and insert into your Laboratory Safety
Manual or Chemical Hygiene Plan.
Department:
Click here to enter text.
Date SOP was written:
Click here to enter a date.
Date SOP was approved by PI/lab supervisor:
Principal Investigator:
Click here to enter text.
Internal Lab Safety Coordinator/Lab Manager:
Lab Phone:
Click here to enter a date.
Click here to enter text.
Click here to enter text.
Office Phone:
Click here to enter text.
Emergency Contact:
Click here to enter text.
(Name and Phone Number)
Location(s) covered by this SOP:
Click here to enter text.
(Building/Room Number)
Type of SOP:
☐ Process
☒Hazardous Chemical
☐ Hazardous Class
Purpose
Dimethyl sulfate is a combustible liquid that is toxic if ingested and may be fatal if inhaled or absorbed
through the skin. It can generate methanol upon contact with water/moisture. It is a corrosive chemical
that can cause severe burns to the digestive tract, respiratory tract, skin, and eyes. It may cause cancer
and is a suspected mutagen. Dimethyl sulfate is mainly used as a methylating agent in the synthesis of
various organic compounds. It is also used in the manufacture of dyes and perfumes and was previously
used as a war gas.
Physical & Chemical Properties/Definition of Chemical Group
CAS#: 77-78-1
Class: Combustible, toxic, corrosive, carcinogen, mutagen
Molecular Formula: C2H6O4S
Form (physical state): Liquid
Dimethyl sulfate
ASU Department of Environmental Health & Safety
1
Date: 11/7/2012
Color: Colorless, white
Boiling point: 188 °C
Potential Hazards/Toxicity
Dimethyl sulfate is a combustible liquid. Material can form methanol upon contact with water/moisture. It
is classified by IARC as Group 2A, probably carcinogenic to humans. It is toxic if ingested and may be
fatal if inhaled or absorbed through the skin. It is extremely destructive to the tissue of the mucous
membranes and upper respiratory tract. It causes skin and eyes burns with severe damage. Symptoms of
exposure include fever, coughing, shortness of breath, headache, allergy, asthma, coma, and death.
Primarily damages the lungs but can also affect liver, kidneys, heart, and central nervous system.
Suspected of causing genetic defects. Possible risk of irreversible effects. Dimethyl sulfate has a
permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 0.5 mg/m 3.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Respirator Protection
Use a full-face respirator with multi-purpose combination (US) respirator cartridges.
Respirators should be used only under any of 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.
Hand Protection
Handle with gloves. Nitrile gloves are recommended for splash protection. Butyl rubber gloves are
recommended for immersion protection.
NOTE: Consult with your preferred glove manufacturer to ensure that the gloves you plan on using are
compatible with dimethyl sulfate.
Refer to glove selection chart from the links below:
http://www.ansellpro.com/download/Ansell_8thEditionChemicalResistanceGuide.pdf
OR
http://www.allsafetyproducts.biz/page/74172
OR
http://www.showabestglove.com/site/default.aspx
OR
http://www.mapaglove.com/
Eye Protection
ANSI approved, tight-fitting safety glasses/goggles. Face shields are recommended.
Skin and Body Protection
Dimethyl sulfate
ASU Department of Environmental Health & Safety
2
Date: 11/7/2012
Flame-resistant lab coat preferably made of anti-static material, long pants, and closed-toe shoes.
Hygiene Measures
Avoid contact with skin, eyes and clothing. Wash hands before breaks and immediately after handling the
product.
Engineering Controls
Chemical fume hood. Adequate exhaust and capture filtration. Electrically grounded lines and equipment.
First Aid Procedures
If inhaled
Move person into fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen.
Consult a physician.
In case of skin contact
Wash off with soap and plenty of water for at least 15 minutes while removing contaminated clothing.
Take victim immediately to hospital.
In case of eye contact
Flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes lifting upper and lower eyelids and removing
contact lenses. 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 contact with skin, eyes, and clothing. Avoid inhalation and
ingestion. Use spark-proof tools and explosion-proof equipment. Provide adequate exhaust ventilation.
Keep away from heat and sources of ignition- No smoking. Prevent the build-up of electrostatic charge.
Conditions for safe storage: Keep container tightly closed in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area.
Opened containers must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage. Moisture-sensitive.
Store under inert atmosphere in corrosives area. Avoid strong oxidizing agents, strong bases, and
ammonia.
Spill and Accident Procedure
Chemical Spill Dial 911 and 480-965-1823
Spill – Assess the extent of danger. Help contaminated or injured persons. Evacuate the spill area.
Avoid breathing vapors. 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.).
Small (<1 Liter) – Follow the “Hazardous Materials Incident” guidance in the posted Emergency
Response Guide.
Large (>1 Liter) – Dial 911. Follow guidance for major spill or leak in the posted Emergency Response
Guide
Dimethyl sulfate
ASU Department of Environmental Health & Safety
3
Date: 11/7/2012
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 ASU EH&S at 480-965-1823.
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 ASU EH&S at 480-965-1823.
Medical Emergency Dial 911
Life Threatening Emergency, After Hours, Weekends And Holidays – Dial 911. Note: all injuries and
incidents must be reported to ASU EH&S, 480-965-1823.
Non-Life Threatening Emergency –Report to your ASU campus health Services Center (451 E.
University Drive, south side of University Drive, west of Palm Walk, Hours: M-F, 8am – 6pm, Sat., 10am –
2pm). Outside of these hours, report to Tempe St. Luke’s ER, 1500 S. Mill Avenue. Note: all injuries and
incidents must be reported to ASU EH&S, 480-965-1823.
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. Report to your ASU campus Health Services
Center (451 E. University Drive, south side of University Drive, west of Palm Walk, Hours: M-F, 8am –
6pm, Sat., 10am – 2pm). Outside of these hours, report to Tempe St. Luke’s ER, 1500 S. Mill Avenue.
Note: all injuries and incidents must be reported to ASU EH&S, 480-965-1823.
Decontamination/Waste Disposal Procedure
Wearing proper PPE, absorb spills with inert material. Do not flush with water. Dispose of the used
chemical and contaminated disposables as hazardous waste following the guidelines below.
General hazardous waste disposal guidelines:
Label Waste

Attach a completed ASU Hazardous Waste tag to all waste containers as soon as the first drop of
waste is added to the container.
Store Waste

Store hazardous waste in closed containers, in secondary containment and in a designated
location
 Double-bag dry waste using transparent bags
 Waste must be under the control of the person generating & disposing of it
Dispose of Waste



Dispose of regularly generated chemical waste within 90 days
Call EH&S at 480-965-8554 for questions
Empty Containers
o Dispose as hazardous waste if it once held extremely hazardous waste (irrespective of
the container size)
o Consult waste pick-up schedule
Prepare for transport to pick-up location
 Check on-line waste tag
 Write date of pick-up on the waste tag
Dimethyl sulfate
ASU Department of Environmental Health & Safety
4
Date: 11/7/2012
 Use secondary containment
Protocol/Procedure (Add lab specific Protocol/Procedure here)
Click here to enter text.
NOTE
Any deviation from this SOP requires approval from PI.
Documentation of Training (signature of all users is required)

Prior to conducting any work regarding this SOP, Principal Investigator or designee must provide
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 the MSDS provided by the manufacturer.

The Principal Investigator must ensure that his/her laboratory personnel have attended
appropriate/required safety training (i.e. Biosafety, Fire Safety & Prevention, Hazardous Waste
Management, Laboratory Safety ) or refresher training within the last one year.
I have read and understand the content of this SOP:
Name
Signature
Date
Click here to enter text.
Click here to enter
a date.
Click here to enter text.
Click here to enter
a date.
Click here to enter
a date.
Click here to enter
a date.
Click here to enter text.
Click here to enter text.
Click here to enter text.
Click here to enter
a date.
Click here to enter text.
Click here to enter
a date.
Dimethyl sulfate
ASU Department of Environmental Health & Safety
5
Date: 11/7/2012