Laboratory Specific
Chemical: beta-Propiolactone
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Laboratory Safety Manual and Chemical Hygiene Plan .
Refer to instructions for assistance.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Department:________________________ Date when SOP was written:_______
Date when SOP was approved by the lab supervisor: ___________________
Principal Investigator:___________________________________________________
Internal Laboratory Safety Coordinator/Lab Manager:___________________________________
Laboratory Phone:____________________ Office Phone:_____________________
Emergency Contact:____________________________________________________
(Name and Phone Number)
Location(s) covered by this SOP:__________________________________________
(Building/Room Number)
_____________________________________________________________________________
Type of SOP: Process Hazardous Chemical Hazardous Class
Purpose
β-Propiolactone is an organic compound of the lactone family, with a four-membered ring. It was once widely used in the manufacture of acrylic acid and its esters, but its use has been mostly phased out in favor of safer and less expensive alternatives. β-
Propiolactone is a disinfectant and has been used to sterilize blood plasma, vaccines, tissue grafts, surgical instruments, and enzymes.[1] The principal current use of propiolactone is an intermediate in the synthesis of other chemical compounds.
Physical & Chemical Properties/Definition of Chemical Group
CAS#: 57-57-8
Class:
Molecular formula:
Regulated Carcinogen
C
3
H
4
O
2
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Boiling Point: 162 deg C @760mmHg. Decomposition temperature is 155 deg C
Melting Point: -33 deg C
Potential Hazards/Toxicity
EMERGENCY OVERVIEW: Appearance: colorless clear liquid. Flash Point: 70 deg
C. Cancer suspect agent.
Target Organs: Kidneys, liver, lungs, gastrointestinal system, eyes, skin.
Potential Health Effects:
Eye: May cause conjunctivitis. Causes redness and pain. Causes eye irritation and burns.
May cause permanent corneal opacification.
Skin: May be harmful if absorbed through the skin. Causes irritation with burning pain, scaling, itching and redness. May cause erythema (redness) and blistering.
Ingestion: May be harmful if swallowed. May cause irritation of the digestive tract and possible burns. May cause nausea, vomiting, headache, cramps, chills and drowsiness.
Inhalation: Inhalation may be fatal as a result of spasm, inflammation, edema of the larynx and bronchi, chemical pneumonitis and pulmonary edema. Toxic if inhaled. May cause burning sensation, coughing, wheezing, laryngitis, shortness of breath, headache, nausea, and vomiting. Inhalation may cause sore throat, shortness of breath, labored breathing, coughing, and pulmonary edema.
Chronic: May cause cancer in humans. Animal studies have reported the development of tumors.
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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Eyes: Wear appropriate protective eyeglasses or chemical safety goggles as described by
OSHA's eye and face protection regulations in 29 CFR 1910.133 or European Standard
EN166.
Skin: Butyl gloves must be worn while handling beta-Propiolactone.
Clothing: Wear appropriate protective clothing to prevent skin exposure that includes long pants and closed toed shoes. No skin shall be exposed.
Respirators: Follow the OSHA respirator regulations found in 29 CFR 1910.134 or
European Standard EN 149. Always use a NIOSH or European Standard EN 149 approved respirator when necessary.
Engineering Controls
Facilities storing or utilizing this material should be equipped with an eyewash facility and a safety shower. Use adequate ventilation to keep airborne concentrations low. See
29CFR 1910.1003 for specific regulatory requirements applying to areas containing a listed carcinogen, signs, training, reports, and medical surveillance programs.
First Aid Procedures
Eyes: Immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting the upper and lower eyelids. Get medical aid immediately.
Skin: Get medical aid immediately. Immediately flush skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes while removing contaminated clothing and shoes.
Ingestion: Get medical aid immediately. Do NOT induce vomiting. If conscious and alert, rinse mouth and drink 2-4 cupfuls of milk or water.
Inhalation: Get medical aid immediately. Remove from exposure and move to fresh air immediately. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen.
Notes to Physician: Treat symptomatically and supportively.
Special Handling and Storage Requirements
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A regulated area shall be established by the lab where a carcinogen is manufactured, processed, used, released, stored or otherwise handled
Handling:
For handling in laboratories in the research areas, the following must be adhered to.

Mechanical pipetting aids shall be used for all pipetting procedures.

Experiments, procedures and equipment which could produce aerosols shall be confined to laboratory type hoods or glove boxes.

Laboratory work surfaces on which beta-propiolactone is handled shall be protected from contamination.

Contaminated wastes and animal carcasses shall be collected in impervious containers which are closed and decontaminated prior to removal from the work area. Such wastes and carcasses shall be incinerated in such a manner that no carcinogenic products are released.

All other forms of beta-propiolactone shall be inactivated prior to disposal.

Laboratory vacuum systems shall be protected with high efficiency scrubbers or with disposable absolute filters except that only high efficiency scrubbers shall be used with beta-propiolactone.

Personnel, other than those engaged in animal support activities, shall be provided with, and shall be required to wear, a daily change of clean, protective laboratory clothing, such as a solid-front gown, surgical scrub suit or fully buttoned laboratory coat. The required change of clean, protective clothing for employees engaged in animal support activities shall include coveralls or pants and shirt, foot covers, head covers, gloves, and appropriate protective respiratory equipment or devices.

Prior to each exit from a regulated area, employees shall be required to remove and leave protective clothing and equipment at the point of exit and, at the last exit of the day, to place used clothing and equipment in impervious containers at the point of exit for purposes of decontamination or disposal. Such impervious containers shall be identified as to their contents by labeling.

Personnel shall be required to wash hands, forearms, face and neck upon each exit from the regulated area, close to the point of exit, and before engaging in other activities.

Personnel engaged in animal support activities shall be required to shower, including washing of the hair, after the last exit of the day.

Air pressure in laboratory areas and animal rooms where a beta-propiolactone is handled and bio-assay studies are performed shall be negative in relation to the pressure in surrounding areas. Exhaust air shall not be discharged to regulated areas, nonregulated areas or the external environment unless decontaminated.

There shall be no connection between regulated areas and any other areas through the ventilation system.

A current inventory of carcinogens shall be maintained.
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
Ventilated apparatus such as laboratory type hoods shall be tested at least semiannually, or immediately after ventilation modification or maintenance operations, by personnel fully qualified to certify correct containment and operation.
Area Requirements:

Entrances to regulated areas shall be posted with signs bearing the legend:
CANCER-SUSPECT AGENT
AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY

The entrance to the laboratory bearing beta-propiolactone must exhibit the universal carcinogen label that indicates particularly hazardous substances similar to the following:

Specific emergency procedures shall be prescribed and posted. In an emergency, immediate measures including.

The potentially affected areas shall be evacuated as soon as the emergency has been determined.

Hazardous conditions created by the emergency shall be eliminated and the potentially affected area shall be decontaminated prior to the resumption of normal operations.

Special medical surveillance by a physician shall be instituted within 24 hours for employees present in the potentially affected area at the time of the emergency. A report of the medical surveillance and of any medical treatment shall be included in the incident report.

Where a personnel has a known contact with beta-propiolactone, such an employee shall be required to shower, including washing of the hair, as soon as possible unless contraindicated by physical injuries.

An incident report on the emergency shall be reported.

In operations involving beta-propiolactone emergency deluge showers and eyewash fountains supplied with running potable water shall be located near, within sight of, and on the same level with locations where a direct exposure would be most likely to occur as a result of equipment failure or improper work practice.
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Storage: Keep away from sources of ignition. Store in a tightly closed container. Deep freeze (below -20
�
C). Store protected from light. Store under argon.
Spill and Accident Procedure
Chemical Spill Dial 911 and x59797
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 (or 310-825-1491 from cell phone) and EH&S at x59797 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 at x59797 immediately.
Chemical Splash Into Eyes – Immediately rinse eyeball and inner surface of eyelid with water for 15 minutes by forcibly holding the eye open. Seek medical attention. Notify supervisor and EH&S at x59797 immediately.
Medical Emergency Dial 911 or x52111
Life Threatening Emergency, After Hours, Weekends And Holidays – Dial 911
(or 310-825-1491 from cell phone) or contact the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center
(emergency room) directly at x52111 (located at 757 Westwood Plaza, enter from Gayley
Avenue). Note: All serious injuries must be reported to EH&S at x59797 within 8 hours.
Non-Life Threatening Emergency – Go to the Occupational Health Facility (OHF), x56771, CHS room 67-120 (This is on the 6 th floor, 7 th corridor, room 120. Enter through the
School of Dentistry on Tiverton Drive and proceed to the “O” elevator to the 6th floor.)Hours: M -
F, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. At all other times report to Ronald Regan UCLA Medical Center
(emergency room) at x52111 . Note: All serious injuries must be reported to EH&S at x59797 within 8 hours.
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 by dialing 231 from a campus phone, enter 93333 when prompted and then enter your extension. Hours: M – F, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. At all other times report to Ronald Regan UCLA
Medical Center (emergency room) at x52111 . Note: All needle stick/puncture exposures must be reported to EH&S at x59797 within 8 hours.
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Decontamination/Waste Disposal Procedure
Waste disposal procedures
1. ß-Propiolactoneand all ß-Propiolactonecontaminated waste shall be disposed of into waste containers specifically designated for ß-Propiolactone. Examples ß-
Propiolactonewaste material include gloves, pipette tips, paper towels that have been contaminated with ß-Propiolactone.
2. Once the waste container is full, dispose of according the UCLA EH&S hazardous waste guidelines.
Decontamination of Equipment
Decontamination procedures shall be established and implemented to remove a carcinogen from the surface of materials, equipment and the decontamination facility.
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) Location
(State the location of MSDS)
Hardcopy or electronic copy must be available.
Online MSDS can be accessed at http://msds.ehs.ucla.edu
.
Protocol/Procedure
(Add specific description of procedure.)
Note: Any deviation from this SOP requires written approval from PI.
Documentation of Training (signature of all users is required)
I have read and understand the content of this SOP:
Name Signature Date
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