STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE for
CARCINOGENS AND HIGHLY TOXIC MATERIALS
Location(s):______Bard 350, Thurston 420 ____________________________
Chemical(s):_____Reactive metals: Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium________
1. Purchasing:All purchases of this material must have written approval from the Principal Investigator
before ordering. The user is responsible to ensure that a current Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is
obtained unless a current one is already available within the laboratory. Quantities of this material will be
limited to ________________, or the smallest amount necessary to complete the experiment.
2. Storage:Materials will be stored according to compatibility and label recommendations in a designated
area: solvent cabinets in 420 Thurston and 350 Bard Hall. Storage areas will be regularly inspected by Prof.
Ober to ensure safety. Periodic inventory reductions will be scheduled.
3. Authorized personnel:Use of this material requires prior written approval from the PI. Use will be
limited to the following personnel (check all that apply):
Principal Investigator __ _
Graduate students__ __
Technical staff __ _
Post doctoral employees__ _
Undergraduates ____
Other (describe) _________________________
4. Training requirements:The user must demonstrate competency and familiarity regarding the safe handling
and use of this material prior to purchase. Training should include the following:
Review of current MSDS
Review of the OSHA Lab Standard
Review of the Chemical Hygiene Plan
Laboratory safety training (EH&S)
Special training provided by the department/supervisor
Review of the departmental safety manual
Safety meetings and seminars
5.
Use location:Materials shall be used only in the following designated areas in room Bard 350 and/or
Thurston 420. Check all that apply:
demarcated area in lab (describe)________________________________________
fume hood _____
glove box _____
other (describe) _______________________
6. Personal protective equipment:All personnel are required to wear the following personal protective
equipment whenever handling this material (check all that apply):
Chemical safety goggles _____
Face shield _____
Gloves (type) _______________
Respirator (type)______________
Rubber apron _____
Lab coat _____
Tyvek clothing _____
Other (describe) ______________
7. Waste disposal:The authorized person using this material is responsible for the safe collection,
preparation and proper disposal of waste unless otherwise stated below. Waste shall be disposed of as soon
as possible and in accordance with all laboratory and University procedures.
Specific instructions:
8. Decontamination:Specific instructions:
9. Exposures:Emergency procedures to be followed (from MSDS):
Skin/eye contact--Symptoms: may cause irreversible eye injury. Contact with eyes may cause severe
irritation, and possible eye burns. May cause severe skin irritation with possible burns, especially if skin is
wet or moist. Particles of magnesium embeded in skin can cause lesions.
First Aid: Eyes: flush with water for 15 minutes, holding eyelids open. Skin: flush thoroughly with water.
Call a physician.
Ingestion-- Symptoms: Potassium - May cause severe gastrointestinal tract irritation with nausea vomiting
and possible burns. May cause systemic toxic effects on the heart, liver, and kidneys.
First Aid: Potassium - If victim is conscious and alert, give 2-4 cupfuls of milk or water. Magnesium - if
swallowed, if conscious, induce vomiting & call physician.
Inhalation--Symptoms: irritation, nausea, vomiting, coughing, chills, fever, weakness, muscular pain.
Fumes may cause chills & metal fume fever. Dusts may cause irritation. May cause lung damage.
First Aid: remove to fresh air. Provide CPR/oxygen if needed.
10. Spills: Potassium - Cover with limestone and place into a closed container for disposal. Remove all
sources of ignition. Use a spark-proof tool. Isolate area and deny entry. Do not expose spill to water. Cover
with material such as dry soda ash or calcium carbonate and place into a closed container for disposal. use
appropriate safety equipment. Magnesium - Recover for use if not contaminated. Clean, dry product may be
returned to dry container and sealed. Place contaminated spill in vented container for disposal. Sodium: for
damaged cans: place in air-tight metal container filled w/kerosene.
11. Phone numbers:
Cornell Campus Police 911 (accidents, spills)
Environmental Health and Safety 5-8200
Gannett Health Center 5-5155
12. Other:
Cond To Avoid (Stability): heat, moisture, sparks, flame.
Materials To Avoid: oxidizing agents, acids, water, chlorine, bromine, iodine, halogens, &
Halogenated hydrocarbons.
Hazardous Decomp Products: may form magnesium oxide. Hydrogen will be produced when exposed for
long time to water and acids. Sodium in use as sodium modifier for aluminum will evolve sodium oxide,
hydrogen, & heat
Unusual Fire And Expl Hazrds: dust forms explosive mixture with air. Fine powder, thin sheets, chips and
turnings are easily ignited and burns. Molten metal may react violently with water. Dangerous when
exposed to heat/flame/by chemical reaction w/water/oxidizing agents. Heated sodium is spontaneously
flammable; autoignition temp: 239f.
Other Precautions: avoid creating dusts or fumes. Avoid eye contact. Avoid inhalation of dust or fume.
Keep out of reach of small children. Store away from other combustible materials. Storage in high humidity
area will lead to corrosion of the product.
Prepared by: ________________________________
Reviewed/Revised: _________________
Date: _____________
A copy of the completed SOP must be filed with the Cornell Chemical Hygiene Officer at EH&S, 125
Humphreys Service Building.