READ AND REVIEW ANY APPLICABLE MANUFACTURER/VENDOR SAFETY INFORMATION BEFORE
DEVELOPING STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE AND PERFORMING WORK.
PI Name: _____________________
Name of Work Unit:_____________________
Standard Operating Procedures for Work with
β – mercaptoethanol (aka, 2-mercaptoethanol, thioglycol) , CAS No. 60-24-2
#1
Scope of Work/Activity: State the process/operation/equipment that the SOP concerns.
β – mercaptoethanol is a clear, colorless liquid with an unpleasant odor (similar to rotten eggs).
It is commonly used in the lab to reduce disulfide bonds and can act as a scavenger for
hydroxyl radicals
#2
Specific Safety and Environmental Hazards: State the specific hazard and consequences if
procedure not followed to person, environment, or property.
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β – mercaptoethanol has a very low odor threshold and smells similar to the odorant used in natural
gas. If the odor becomes widespread, people in nearby areas may suspect a natural gas leak, which may
lead to calls to the fire department and/or evacuation of the building, which can be inconvenient and
disruptive.
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Vapors can irritate the eyes, mucous membranes, and respiratory tract. Symptoms of inhalation
exposure may include nausea, headache, coughing, sore throat, and/or shortness of breath.
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Very hazardous in case of skin contact . Severe over-exposure can result in death
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Combustible as a liquid or vapor!
All tasks having potential for exposure are to be performed by trained staff and must have read
the Material Safety Data Sheet (www.ucmsds.com).
MSDS from Fisher Scientific: http://fscimage.fishersci.com/msds/13740.htm
#3
Engineering Controls: Describe any specific engineering controls which are required to prevent
employee injury to hazards such engineered sharps, use of scavenger units for anesthetic gas
waste.
ALWAYS work with β – mercaptoethanol inside a chemical fume hood or 100% exhausted
biological safety cabinet (Class II, Type B2).
#4
Designated Area: Indicate the designated area for performing this process in the laboratory.
Conduct all work in Room ____
#5
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): State the personal protective equipment selected and required.
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At a minimum, double-glove using nitrile laboratory gloves and wear a lab coat and safety glasses
when pipetting small amounts.
If gloves come into contact with the chemical, change them immediately.
Use butyl rubber or Silver Shield for cleaning up small spills.
If there is a possibility of splashing, wear chemical splash goggles and/or a face shield.
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#6
Emergency Procedures:
a. Describe immediate medical treatment required in case of personnel exposure.
-Complete online incident report form at www.ehs.uci.edu
Contact 911 for severe chemical exposures.
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#7
#8
Eyes: Flush eyes for at least 15 minutes, then seek emergency medical attention.
Skin: Flush exposed area with soap and water for at least 15 minutes, then seek emergency medical
attention.
Inhalation: Remove exposed individual to fresh air. If not breathing or if breathing is difficult, seek
medical attention immediately.
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting unless directed to do so by medical personnel. Seek medical attention
immediately.
Control Procedures for animal care and housing requirements:
a. Will animals excrete toxic levels of chemicals?
- If so, identify waste streams under Section 9.
If ULAR staff will be handling animal care, explain any special handling procedures
that may be required for bedding and cage handling, e.g., dust respirators, lab coats,
etc.
Identify waste stream and disposition of animal carcass, waste, and unused stock of chemicals
(Identify if waste is biohazardous, pathological waste, or hazardous waste, etc.) Please note
that any drugs identified as a human carcinogen or poses a hazard to human health or
environment because of its carcinogenicity must be managed as a hazardous waste.
Additional guidelines regarding hazardous waste and pathological waste can be found at :
http://www.ehs.uci.edu/programs/enviro/
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#9
Surplus chemicals will be disposed of as hazardous chemical waste.
Disposable lab ware, bench paper, personal protective equipment, carcasses and cage bedding
contaminated with chemicals are to be disposed of as “pathology waste” for incineration. Obtain
waste containers from EH&S.
Sharps will be disposed of in “Sharps” container.
At Irvine locations, utilize the on-line system for requests by requesting a “Chemical Waste”
Pickup via the Internet:
a. Visit www.ehs.uci.edu/programs/enviro/
At UCIMC locations, contact Mealii Seanoa at kseanoa@uci.edu for pathology waste
incineration barrels
Decontamination and spill clean-up procedures
Employees in the area should be prepared to clean up minor spills confined to the chemical fume hood.
Wearing butyl rubber or Silver Shield gloves, splash goggles, lab coat (and impermeable apron, if available),
use an inert sorbent pads to clean up the spill.
Contaminated PPE and clean-up materials must be placed in a sealed container for pick-up by EH&S.
Large spills or any spills outside of the fume hood of β – mercaptoethanol must be referred to
EH&S by calling 911 .
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#10
Important Steps to Follow: List the specific sequence staff should follow to avoid hazard.
•
β – mercaptoethanol is incompatible with metals, oxidizing agents, acids, alkalis,
calcium hypochlorite, aliphatic amines, and moisture sensitive.
•
Purchase and use in the smallest practical quantities for the experiment being
performed.
•
Know the location of the nearest fire extinguisher before beginning work.
•
Eliminate ignition sources such as open flames and hot surfaces.
•
Keep containers closed as much as possible when not in use.
•
Be aware of skin absorption as a possible route of exposure. Plan work so that minimal
glove contact is expected, and purchase appropriate gloves (e.g. butyl rubber or Silver Shield
for cleaning up small spills. For spill procedures, see Section 10.
•
Store in a well ventilated area and in a secondary container.
•
DO NOT WORK ALONE.
Insert your lab specific protocol here.
As the Principal Investigator, it is your responsibility to ensure that all individuals listed in this protocol is taught
correct procedures for the safe handling of hazardous materials involved in this study. It is also your responsibility
to assure that your personnel attend Lab Core Safety Training and other applicable safety training courses.
Both PI and all persons associated with the protocol must sign the following acknowledgement:
I have read, asked questions, and understand the hazards of and safe working procedures for the
activity/materials described herein.
PI Signature:
DATE
Other Personnel:
Name/ Signature
DATE
Name/Signature
DATE
Name/Signature
DATE
Name/Signature
DATE
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