Standard Operating Procedures
Laboratory SpecificChemical:
Lithium hydroxide
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:__ Chemistry_________
Date when SOP was written: _ 11/27/2012 _
Date when SOP was approved by the lab supervisor: _1/13/2013__________________
Principal Investigator: __ Richmond Sarpong __________
Internal Laboratory Safety Coordinator/Lab Manager: ____ Rebecca Murphy ________________
Laboratory Phone: _ 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, 849, 907 __
(Building/Room Number)
_____________________________________________________________________________
Type of SOP:
Process
Hazardous Chemical
Hazardous Class
Purpose
Lithium hydroxide is an inorganic compound with the formula LiOH. It is a white hygroscopic
crystalline material. It is soluble in water and slightly soluble in ethanol. It is available
commercially in anhydrous form and as the monohydrate (LiOH.H2O), both of which are strong
bases. Lithium hydroxide is mainly consumed for the production of lithium greases. It is used as
a heat transfer medium and as a storage-battery electrolyte. It is also used in ceramics and some
Portland cement formulations. Lithium hydroxide (isotopically enriched in lithium-7) is used to
alkalize the reactor coolant in pressurized water reactors for corrosion control.
Physical & Chemical Properties/Definition of Chemical Group
CAS#
1310-65-2
Class:
Hazardous Chemical, Corrosive
Molecular Formula:
LiOH
Form (Physical State):
Solid white powder or pellets (often found in aqueous solution)
Boiling Point:
N/A
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Melting point:
450°C (842°F)
Potential Hazards/Toxicity
Very hazardous in case of skin contact, eye contact, ingestion, and/or inhalation. Corrosive to
eyes and skin. The amount of tissue damage depends on length of contact. Eye contact can
result in corneal damage or blindness. Skin contact can produce inflammation and blistering.
Inhalation of dust will produce irritation to gastro-intestinal or respiratory tract, characterized by
burning, sneezing and coughing. Severe over-exposure can produce lung damage, choking,
unconsciousness or death. Inflammation of the eye is characterized by redness, watering, and
itching. Skin inflammation is characterized by itching, scaling, reddening, or, occasionally,
blistering.
Acute toxicity
Oral LD50 [mouse] 363 mg/kg
Oral LD50 [rat] 210 mg/kg
Dust LC50 [rat] 960 mg/m3 4 hours
Engineering Controls
NOTE: Specific information on engineering controls is to be added to the Protocol/Procedure
section.
Work with lithium 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. Consider using a face shield when handling the pure
material.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
NOTE: Specific information on PPE selection is to be added to the Protocol/Procedure section.
Respiratory protection
.
NOTE: Lab personnel intending to use/wear a respirator mask must be trained and fit-tested by
EH&S. This is a regulatory requirement.
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
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 potassium hydroxide: standard nitrile.
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For handling concentrated solutions of potassium hydroxide, thicker nitrile gloves or doublegloving 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
Safety glasses with side shields or tightly fitting safety goggles. Use face shield (8-inch minimum)
when appropriate. Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate
government standards such as ANSI Z87.1, NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).
Skin and body protection
Long pants, closed-toed and closed-heeled shoes, cotton-based clothing/attire, and apron/lab
coat of a chemically inert material must be worn for protecting against chemical hazards.
Hygiene measures
Avoid contact with skin, eyes and clothing. Wash hands before breaks and immediately after
handling.
First Aid Procedures
Notify supervisor and EH&S immediately. Follow up with a call to 510-642-9090 to report the
incident.
If inhaled
Remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen.
Get medical attention immediately.
In case of skin contact
Take off contaminated clothing immediately. Wash off with soap and plenty of water for 15
minutes. Take victim immediately to hospital. Consult a physician immediately.
In case of eye contact
Check for and remove any contact lenses. Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15
minutes using an emergency eyewash station, occasionally lifting the upper and lower eyelids.
Get medical aid immediately. Continue to wash eyes during transport to the hospital.
If swallowed
Do not induce vomiting. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Rinse mouth
with water. Consult a physician immediately.
Special Handling and Storage Requirements
NOTE: Specific information on handling and storage is to be added to the Protocol/Procedure
section.
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Working alone
Certain extremely hazardous operations should not be performed if the PI or Lab Safety
Contact(s) are not present. Never work alone with extremely hazardous materials/operations.
See the Protocol/Procedure section below for specific prohibitions (if any) on working alone.
Precautions for safe handling
Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Avoid formation of dust and aerosols. A fume hood should be
used when handling lithium hydroxide powder and when preparing solutions of lithium hydroxide.
Always add lithium hydroxide to water while stirring; never the reverse. Provide adequate cooling
capacity (e.g ice bath) when preparing concentrated solutions of lithium hydroxide as it reacts
exothermically with water.
Conditions for safe storage
Lithium hydroxide is hygroscopic; store in a cool, dry area with the container tightly closed to
minimize absorption of water from the air. Store in a secondary container with other bases
segregated away from acids, flammables, and oxidizers. Cabinets where significant quantities of
lithium hydroxide and/or other acids and bases are stored must be labeled with the hazard
warning “Corrosive.” All corrosives greater than or equal to 1M in concentration must be stored in
secondary containment at all times.
Spill and Accident Procedure
Chemical Spill Dial 911 and 510-642-9090
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.).
Small (<1 L) – If you have training, you may assist in the clean-up effort. Use appropriate
personal protective equipment and clean-up material for chemical spilled. Double bag spill waste
in clear plastic bags, label and take to the next chemical waste pick-up.
Large (>1 L) – Dial 911 and EH&S at 510-642-9090 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
immediately.
Chemical Splash Into Eyes – Immediately rinse eyeball and inner surface of eyelid with
water for 15 minutes by using an emergency eyewash station and forcibly holding the eye open.
Seek medical attention immediately. Notify supervisor and EH&S immediately.
Medical Emergency Dial 911 and 510-642-9090
Life Threatening Emergency, After Hours, Weekends And Holidays – Dial 911
or go to the nearest Occupational Health Facility or emergency room if it is after hours. Note: All
serious injuries must be reported to EH&S within 8 hours at 510-642-9090
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Non-Life Threatening Emergency– Go to the Occupational Health Facility (OHF). At all
other times report to the emergency room. Note: All serious injuries must be reported to EH&S at
within 8 hours at 510-642-9090.
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. Page the needle stick
nurse. At all other times report to the emergency room. Note: All needle stick/puncture exposures
must be reported to EH&S within 8 hours at 510-642-9090.
Decontamination/Waste Disposal Procedure
Instruments (carefully) and benches contaminated with lithium hydroxide should be
decontaminated with soap and water. All lithium hydroxide waste and contaminated disposables
should be disposed of as hazardous waste according the guidelines below.
General hazardous waste disposal guidelines:
Label Waste
•
Label all containers with the label provided at
http://ehs.berkeley.edu/hm/279-new-hazardous-waste-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
SDS can be accessed online at http://ucmsds.com
Protocol/Procedure for Lithium Hydroxide
Preparation
Reactivity/ Stability: Lithium hydroxide solution neutralizes acids exothermically to
form salts plus water. Reacts with certain metals (such as aluminum and zinc) to form
oxides or hydroxides of the metal and generate gaseous hydrogen.
Conditions to Avoid: Avoid moisture, air.
Incompatibilities/Materials to Avoid: strong acids, carbon dioxide.
When not in use, keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place.
Store and transport THF containers in secondary containment (for example
polyethylene bottle carrier).
Know the location of the nearest fire extinguisher, eyewash, and safety shower before
beginning work.
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Lab-specific
Information
All work for this procedure is to take place in the designated fume hood.
Wear proper PPE.
Keep Lithium hydroxide e containers tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place
away from incompatible substances.
Procedure/Use
Scale
Using lithium
hydroxide as a
reagent in a
chemical
reaction
Up to 100 g
PI approval
required for
larger
amounts.
Engineering
Controls/Equipmen
t
All work dealing with
solid lithium
hydroxide should be
conducted on a
clean benchtop in a
chemical fume hood.
PPE (eye, face, gloves,
clothing)
Procedure Steps and
Precautions
Eye protection: Wear
tight-fitting safety goggles
or safety glasses with side
shields. Consider a face
shield when handling the
pure material.
Measure out the desired
quantity of lithium
hydroxide by transferring
the white solid to a tarred
plastic weigh boat
positioned on a balance
using a metal spatula.
Solutions of lithium
hydroxide in organic
solvents should be
handled in a
ventilated fume
hood.
Face protection: Wear a
face shield when not
protected by a lab hood
sash.
Add the lithium hydroxide
slowly to the desired
reaction vessel in a fume
hood. Slow addition
avoids the generation of
excess heat.
Gloves: Wear reusable
rubber, nitrile, or neoprene
gloves.
Clothing: Wear apron/lab
coat of chemically inert
material, full length pants or
equivalent; and close-toed
closed heeled shoes.
Dilute any lithium
hydroxide that was spilled
during the above
processes with copious
amounts of water and use
paper towels to soak up
the resulting solution.
Dispose of any paper
towels in a chemically
contaminated waste
container.
NOTE
Any deviation from this SOP requires approval from PI.
Documentation of Training (signature of all users is required)

Prior to conducting any work with lithium hydroxide, 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.
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
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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