Hazards by class
Bases
DDC 01xx
Corrosive
White Label
Precautions:
•
•
•
Wear gloves
Protect metals (cover with plastic)
Wipe off seal after each use
before closing
Examples:
•
•
•
•
1
2
3
4
Acids
DDC 02xx
Corrosive
White Label
Precautions:
•
•
•
•
•
Separate organic and inorganic
Wear gloves
Protect metals (cover with plastic)
Wipe off seal after each use before
closing
Examples: (with cap color)
•
•
•
•
•
Acetic Acid—Brown
Phosphoric Acid—White
Hydrochloric Acid—Blue
Sulfuric Acid—Yellow
Nitric Acid—Red
Oxidizers
DDC 16xx
Oxidizing
Yellow Label
Precautions:
•
Keep away from combustible
materials
Examples:
•
•
•
•
•
Sodium hypochlorite
Potassium permanganate
Peroxides
Perchlorates
Nitrates
Flammables
DDC 08xx
Flammable
Red Label
Precautions:
•
Keep away from oxidizers
and ignition sources
Examples:
•
Many solvents
–
•
•
Acetone, ether, methanol,
benzene
Phosphorus
Magnesium
Reactive
Reacts with
Air
Water
Shock
Precautions:
•
•
•
Keep well sealed
Protect against moisture and vibration
Isolate from atmosphere by storing
under inert gas (Nitrogen) or liquid
(oil)
DDC 04xx, 12xx
Yellow Label
Examples:
Water reactive:
– Na/K/Li metal
– Metal hydrides
Shock reactive:
–
–
Organic peroxides
Heavy metal azides
Inhalation Hazard
DDC ##PH
Toxic
if inhaled
Precautions:
•
Keep well sealed
Blue Label
Examples:
•
•
•
•
•
Methyl iodide
Methylamine
Thionyl chloride
Silica
Ammonia
Toxic
DDC 18xx
Toxic
if swallowed
Precautions:
•
•
Do not swallow, touch, or inhale
Wash hands after handling
Blue Label
Examples:
•
•
•
•
•
Cyanides
Azides
Sulfides
DMSO
Chloroform
Low Hazard
DDC 05xx, 06xx
Irritant
Grey Label
Orange Label
Green Label
Precautions:
•
Keep liquids below eye level
Examples:
•
•
•
Halogen salts
Buffers
Chemicals with low
reactivity (lots of
examples)
Radioactive
DDC ##RA
Precautions:
•
•
•
Authorized users only!
Leave shielding in place
What about the testing /
monitoring badges/ rings?
Examples:
•
•
•
•
•
3H
14C
32P
125I
35S
Biohazard
May also be:
Toxic
Harmful to environment
Precautions:
•
Materials must be inactivated
before disposal
Examples:
•
•
•
•
E. coli
S. cerevisiae
Salmonella
Viruses
Mercury or Heavy Metal
Toxic
Harmful to
environment
Precautions:
•
Materials must be disposed as
hazardous waste
Examples:
•
•
•
Mercury
Cadmuim
Lead
Carcinogen
Cancer causing
Toxic
Precautions:
•
•
Do not swallow, touch or inhale
Use appropriate gloves
Examples:
•
•
•
•
•
Arsenic
Beryllium
Benzene
Formaldehyde
Vinyl Chloride
Reproductive Toxin
Toxic
Precautions:
•
•
Do not swallow, touch or inhale
Use appropriate gloves
Examples:
•
•
•
•
•
Selenium/ Tellurium
Methylene chloride
Chloroform
Arsenic
Xylene
Nanoparticle
Precautions:
•
•
•
Do not swallow, touch or inhale
Use appropriate gloves
Keep well sealed
Examples:
•
•
•
•
Au (gold)
Ag (silver)
Mesoporous silica
Iron oxide
Time Sensitive Materials
DDC ##PF
Peroxide formers
Precautions:
•
•
•
•
Avoid metal caps, heat, light
Visually check for crystals
Test every 1, 3, 6 or 12 months
Dispose if > 80 ppm peroxides
or > 2 yrs
Examples:
•
•
•
Diethyl Ether
Tetrahydrofuran (THF)
Dioxane
Sensitive Materials
Temperature sensitive
store at proper
temperature
Light sensitive
store in the dark
Precautions:
•
Store in secondary containers to
segregate hazards
Sensitive to Humidity
Some chemicals need to be kept
• Moist
– Store in overpack
with wet towel.
– Do NOT allow to
dehydrate
• Dry
– Store in dessicant to
remove humidity.
– Protect from moisture.
Pressure Difference
Compressed Gas
Pressurized materials
Vacuum
Risk of Projectiles
DDC
##CG
Precautions:
Do not heat, cool, or attempt to open while under pressure
Protect from impact
•
•
Use plastic netting to control
glass shards if implosion
Apply grease to seal
•
•
Secure upright
Transport in a secure
cart