Standard Operating Procedures
Laboratory Specific
Chemical: bis-Chloromethyl ether
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:________________________
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
Bis(chloromethyl) ether is a clear liquid with a strong unpleasant odor. It does
not occur naturally. It dissolves easily in water, but degrades rapidly and readily
evaporates into air. In the past, it was used to make several types of polymers,
resins, and textiles, but its use is now highly restricted. Only small quantities of
bis(chloromethyl) ether are produced in the United States. The small quantities
that are produced are only used in enclosed systems to make other chemicals.
However, small quantities of bis(chloromethyl) ether may be formed as an
impurity during the production of another chemical, chloromethyl methyl ether.
Physical & Chemical Properties/Definition of Chemical Group
CAS#:
542-88-1
Class:
Listed/Regulated Carcinogen
Molecular formula:
ClCH2OCH3
Boiling Point:
106 deg C @760mmHg. Decomposition temperature is N/A
1
Melting Point:
-41.5 deg C
Potential Hazards/Toxicity
EMERGENCY OVERVIEW: Appearance: colorless liquid. Flash Point: 35 deg C.
Cancer suspect agent.
Target Organs: Kidneys, liver, lungs, gastrointestinal system, eyes, skin.
Potential Health Effects:
Eye: Can cause eye irritation. Repeated exposure to vapors and/or dust can cause eye injury.
Vapors can cause severe eye inflammation and swelling of adjoining tissues.
Skin: Can cause skin irritation. May be harmful if absorbed through the skin. May be fatal if absorbed
through the skin! May be rapidly absorbed through the skin with potential adverse health effects.
Ingestion: May be harmful if swallowed. May be fatal if swallowed!
Inhalation: Dust and/or vapors can cause irritation to respiratory tract. Can cause delayed lung injury.
Can be irritating to mucous membranes. Chronic exposure may cause bronchitis. May be fatal if inhaled!
Can cause an allergic respiratory reaction. Extremely destructive of mucous membranes and/or upper
respiratory tract. Can cause edema-swelling of tissues.
Chronic: May cause cancer in humans. Animal studies have reported the development of
tumors.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Eyes: OSHA PEL (TWA): see CFR29 1910.1008
ACGIH TLV (TWA): 0.001ppm(0.0047g/m3)
ACGIH TLV (STEL): N/A
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: Wear Butyl or Viton protective gloves to prevent skin exposure
Clothing: Wear long pants, shirt and closed toed shoes and a lab coat while handling.
2
Respirators: A respiratory protection program that meets OSHA's 29 CFR 1910.134 and
ANSI Z88.2 requirements or European Standard EN 149 must be followed whenever
workplace conditions warrant a respirator's use.
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
Handling:
For handling Bis (chloromethyl) ether 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 Bis (chloromethyl) ether is handled shall be
protected from contamination.
3











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 Bis (chloromethyl) ether 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 Bis (chloromethyl) ether.
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 Bis (chloromethyl)
ether 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, non-regulated 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.
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
4

The entrance to the laboratory bearing Bis (chloromethyl) ether 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 Bis (chloromethyl) ether, 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 Bis (chloromethyl) ether 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.






Storage: Keep away from sources of ignition. Store in a tightly closed container. Deep
freeze (below -20�C). Store protected from light.
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.).
5
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 6th floor, 7th 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.
Decontamination/Waste Disposal Procedure
Waste disposal procedures
1. All Bis (chloromethyl) ether waste shall be disposed of into waste containers specifically
designated for Bis (chloromethyl) ether. Examples of Bis (chloromethyl) ether waste
material include gloves, pipette tips, paper towels that have been contaminated with Bis
(chloromethyl) ether.
2. Once the waste container is full, dispose of according the UCLA EH&S hazardous waste
guidelines.
6
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
7
Date