Required parameters are missing or incorrect.
Standard Operating Procedure
Settlement Class: Water Reactive Chemicals
Rubidium
NOTE: Water reactive material may also present additional hazards such as corrosivity or
toxicity. These materials may also have pyrophoric properties.
This is an SOP template and is not complete until: 1) lab specific information is entered into the
box below 2) lab specific protocol/procedure is added to the protocol/procedure section and
3) SOP has been signed and dated by the PI and relevant lab personnel.
Print a copy and insert into your
Laboratory Safety Manual and Chemical Hygiene Plan.
Department:
Chemistry
Date SOP was written:
11/21/2012
Date SOP was approved by PI/lab supervisor: 1/13/2013
Principal Investigator:
Richmond Sarpong
Internal Lab Safety Coordinator/Lab Manager: Rebecca Murphy
Lab Phone:
510-643-2485
Office Phone:
510-643-2407
Emergency Contact:
Richmond Sarpong, 626-644-2407
Location(s) covered by this SOP:
Latimer Hall, 836, 837, 838, 839, 842, 844, 847, 849,
907
Type of SOP:
☐ Process
☒Hazardous Chemical
☐ Hazardous Class
Purpose
Rubidium is a soft alkali metal with atomic number 37. It is extremely reactive and pyrophoric. Contact
with water release flammable gases which may ignite spontaneously. It may be harmful if inhaled,
ingested, and absorbed through the skin. It can cause severe skin burns and severe, irreversible eye
damage. Rubidium’s main use is in laser manipulation on atoms. It also has a range of applications in
electronics and chemistry.
Rubidium
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SOP Template developed by The UC Center for Laboratory Safety
Date: 12/20/2012
Required parameters are missing or incorrect.
Physical & Chemical Properties/Definition of Chemical Group
CAS#: 7440-17-7
Class: Highly flammable, corrosive
Molecular Formula: Rb
Form (physical state): Solid
Color: Silver-white
Boiling point: 687-688 °C
Potential Hazards/Toxicity
Contact with water releases flammable gases possibly leading to a flash fire. Handle under inert gas.
Protect from water. May be harmful if inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through skin. Inhalation may result in
inflammation, edema, and chemical pneumonitis. It is extremely destructive to the mucous membranes
and upper respiratory tract. May cause coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, headache, nausea, and
vomiting. Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. Eye contact may result in permanent damage and
vision loss. Ingestion leads to strong corrosive effects on mouth and throat. Perforation of esophagus and
stomach may occur.
Engineering Controls
Work under an inert atmosphere (e.g., argon, nitrogen) in a glove box.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
NOTE: Lab-specific information on PPE selection may be included in 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.
Rubidium
2
SOP Template developed by The UC Center for Laboratory Safety
Date: 12/20/2012
Required parameters are missing or incorrect.
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
NOTE: Nomex-and-leather flight gloves over chemically resistant gloves are recommended in the UC
Berkeley Office of Environmental Health and Safety document “Safe Use of Pyrophoric and Water
Reactive Reagents”. http://www.ehs.berkeley.edu/hs/126-standard-operating-procedures-sop.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.
Skin and Body Protection
Long pants, closed-toed and closed-heeled shoes, cotton-based clothing/attire, and flame resistant lab
coat must be worn for protecting against chemical hazards.
NOTE: A Nomex lab coat is recommended in the UC Berkeley Office of Environmental Health and Safety
document “Safe Use of Pyrophoric and Water Reactive Reagents”.
http://www.ehs.berkeley.edu/hs/126-standard-operating-procedures-sop.html
Hygiene Measures
Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice. Wash hands before breaks and at
the end of workday
First Aid Procedures
Notify supervisor and EH&S immediately. Follow up with a call to 510-642-9090 to report the incident.
If Inhaled
Move person into fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. Consult a physician.
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.
In Case of Eye Contact
Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting the upper and lower
eyelids. Get medical aid immediately.
If Swallowed
Do not induce vomiting. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Rinse mouth with
water. Consult a physician.
Rubidium
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SOP Template developed by The UC Center for Laboratory Safety
Date: 12/20/2012
Required parameters are missing or incorrect.
Special Handling and Storage Requirements
NOTE: Lab-specific information on handling and storage may be included in the Protocol/Procedure
section.
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.
NOTE: The UC Berkeley Office of Environmental Health and Safety document “Safe Use of Pyrophoric
and Water Reactive Reagents” specifies not to work alone or during off hours, when there are few people
around to help. http://www.ehs.berkeley.edu/hs/126-standard-operating-procedures-sop.html
Precautions For Safe Handling
 Unless it is known otherwise, assume the material is pyrophoric.
 To be handled always in a glove box or under inert atmosphere.
 Design a quenching scheme for residual materials prior to using water reactive materials.
 Never use water to quench the material itself or a reaction where a water-reactive reagent is used.
 Begin quenching with a low reactivity quenching agent and slowly add more reactive quenching
agents. For example, first quench residual sodium metal with isopropanol and then add ethanol to the
mixture.
 Design your experiment to use the least amount of material possible to achieve the desired result.
 It is better to do multiple transfers of small volumes than attempt to handle larger quantities. Before
transferring, make sure that the material is at room temperature.
 Avoid formation of dusts and aerosols.
 Protect against electrostatic discharges.
 Provide appropriate exhaust ventilation at places where dust is formed.
 Take measures to prevent the build-up of electrostatic charge.
 Keep away from sources of ignition – Open flames (e.g., Bunsen Burner)
 Eliminate or substitute a less hazardous material when possible.
 Verify your experimental set-up and procedure prior to use.
 Inform colleagues that this material will be used and where. Label the work area with a sign saying
"Water Reactives Use Area".
 Only use if the area is properly equipped with a certified eye wash/safety shower within ten seconds
of travel.
 Never use water to extinguish fires caused by water reactive materials.
NOTE: See a more details on safe handling in the UC Berkeley Office of Environmental Health and
Safety documents “Safe Use of Pyrophoric and Water Reactive Reagents” and “Quenching of Pyrophoric
Substances”. http://www.ehs.berkeley.edu/hs/126-standard-operating-procedures-sop.html
Conditions for Safe Storage
 Never allow contact with water.
 Always handle inside a glove box.
 Over time, pressure may increase causing containers to burst. Keep container tightly closed in a cool,
dry, well-ventilated place, protected from sunlight.
 Store and handle under inert gas (Noble gases such as Nitrogen, Argon etc.)
 Keep in a dry place (such as a desiccator or a dry box or glove box) absent of moisture/humidity.
 Store away from heat sources and in a flame proof area
 Store in a location, separated from acids, oxidizing and other incompatible materials.
 Do not leave the container near a lab sink, emergency eyewash or safety shower.
Rubidium
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SOP Template developed by The UC Center for Laboratory Safety
Date: 12/20/2012
Required parameters are missing or incorrect.
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Keep away from incompatible materials and conditions.
Use/purchase only amount that is needed in a reasonable amount of time. Use small quantities
whenever possible.
Store in a separate secondary container and label the material clearly.
Minimize dust generation and accumulation.
Hazard communication label on the container must read ‘Water Reactive’. W
Never allow product to get in contact with water or water based compounds during storage.
Do not leave the container on the bench top - even momentarily.
Follow any substance-specific storage guidance provided in Safety Data Sheet documentation.
Monitor your inventory closely to assure that you have tight control over your material.
Wash hands and arms with soap and water after handling.
Minimize dust generation and accumulation.
At the end of each project, thoroughly inspect the area for residual reactive material.
Store locked-up.
Spill and Accident Procedure
Fire-fighting & Extinguishing media
Suitable extinguishing media
Carbon dioxide (CO2), Dry powder, and Class D fire extinguisher
DO NOT use water
Special Protective Equipment For Fire-Fighters
Wear Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for fire-fighting if necessary.
Personal precautions
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Avoid dust formation.
Ensure adequate ventilation.
Remove all sources of ignition.
Evacuate personnel to safe areas.
Environmental precautions
Do not let product enter drains.
Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up
 Pick-up and dispose of as hazardous waste without creating dust.
 Do not flush with water or bring in contact with moisture.
 Keep in suitable, tightly closed containers for disposal.
Rubidium
5
SOP Template developed by The UC Center for Laboratory Safety
Date: 12/20/2012
Required parameters are missing or incorrect.
Chemical Spill Dial 911
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 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 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. Follow up with
a call to 510-642-9090 to report the incident.
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 immediately. Follow up with a call to 510-642-9090 to report the incident.
Medical Emergency Dial 911
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 510-642-9090 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 procedures made in
cooperation with site EHS&S. Please dispose of the water reactive and disposables contaminated with
water reactives as hazardous waste.
General hazardous waste disposal guidelines:
Rubidium
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SOP Template developed by The UC Center for Laboratory Safety
Date: 12/20/2012
Required parameters are missing or incorrect.
Label Waste
Label all containers with the label provided at http://ehs.berkeley.edu/hm/279-new-hazardous-wasteprogram-hwp.html. See the EH&S Fact Sheet, “Hazardous Waste Management” for general
instructions on procedures for disposing of hazardous waste.
Store Waste
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Call EH&S for proper procedure to dispose of 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
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Dispose of regularly generated chemical waste within 6 months
Call EH&S 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
 Use secondary containment
 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
Rubidium
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SOP Template developed by The UC Center for Laboratory Safety
Date: 12/20/2012
Protocol/Procedure for Rubidium
CAS#: 7440-17-7
Preparation
List any other particular preparation requirements needs for this procedure (e.g., location of spill kit or keep water or
ignition sources away from procedure area).
Know the location of the nearest fire extinguisher, eyewash, and safety shower before beginning work.
Lab-specific
Information
Add lab-specific information not included above if needed (e.g., all work for this procedure is to take place in the
designated fume hood.)
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Procedure/Use
Scale
Engineering
Controls/Equipment
PPE (eye, face, gloves, clothing)
Procedure Steps and Special
Precautions for this Procedure
Up to 1g
Rubidium should only be
used in a sealed glove box
flushed with inert gas.
Eye protection: Wear tightfitting safety goggles or safety
glasses with side shields.
Larger quantities of rubidium can be
disposed of through EH&S. Make sure
to specifically alert the EH&S personnel
to the highly pyrophoric nature of
rubidium.
Gloves: Handle with reusable
neoprene or nitrile gloves. If
potential for skin contact, also use
leather fighter 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 after use.
Rubidium may be sold as solutions, or
dispersions in mineral oil or are covered
with hydrocarbon solvents to facilitate
use, so to weigh rubidium: cut desired
piece of alkali metal under packing oil
using a knife. Using tweezers, transfer
to adjacent flask containing toluene or
heptane to rinse off oil. Use tweezers
again to transfer to a weighed flask of
toluene and measure weight to
determine mass of metal. Use tweezers
again to transfer to desired reaction
Clothing: Wear fire/flame
resistant lab coat (100% cotton
based); cotton based
clothing/attire; full length pants or
equivalent; and close-toed, closeheeled shoes.
flask.
Store rubidium under an inert
atmosphere, such as inside an inert dry
glove box, and avoid storage areas with
heat/flames, oxidizers, and water
sources.
Small amounts of unused or unwanted
pyrophoric materials must be destroyed
by careful quenching of the residue.
Transfer the materials to an appropriate
reaction flask for hydrolysis and/or
neutralization. Dilute significantly with
an unreactive solvent such as heptane
or toluene and place the flask in an ice
water cooling bath. Slowly add
isopropanol to quench pyrophoric
materials. Upon completion, add
methanol as a more reactive quenching
agent to ensure completion. Finally, add
water dropwise to make sure there are
no pockets of reactive materials.
Dispose of as hazardous waste. An
alternative quenching method is to
slowly add a dilute solution of rubidium
in heptanes or toluene to dry ice, then
adding a mildly reactive quenching
agent such as methanol.
Notes
Initials of
individuals using
this procedure
Any deviation from this SOP requires approval from PI.
Documentation of Training (signature of all users is required)
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Prior to conducting any work with rubidium, designated personnel must provide training to his/her
laboratory personnel specific to the hazards involved in working with this substance, 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.
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The Principal Investigator must ensure that his/her laboratory personnel have attended appropriate
laboratory safety training or refresher training within the last one year.
I have read and understand the content of this SOP:
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