Standard Operating Procedure
Acrolein
Print a copy and insert into your
Laboratory Safety Manual and Chemical Hygiene Plan.
Refer to instructions for assistance.
Department:
Chemistry
Date SOP was written:
11/29/2012
Date SOP was approved by PI/lab supervisor:
Principal Investigator:
Richmond Sarpong
Internal Lab Safety Coordinator/Lab Manager:
Lab Phone:
11/29/2012
Rebecca Murphy
510-643-2485
Office Phone:
510-643-6312
Emergency Contact:
Richmond Sarpong (626)-644-2407
(Name and Phone Number)
Location(s) covered by this SOP:
Latimer 834,836,837,838,839,842,844,847,907
(Building/Room Number)
Type of SOP:
☐ Process
☒Hazardous Chemical
☐ Hazardous Class
Purpose
Acrolein (also known as 2-propenal) is a hazardous liquid that is very toxic and corrosive. It is a highly
flammable liquid or vapor. It may be fatal if ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. It may cause
respiratory tract, skin, and eye irritation. It can cause severe burns to skin and eyes with permanent
damage. Acrolein is mainly used as an herbicide and a biocide in the oil and gas industry. It is also used
as a fixative in electron microscopy imaging of biological specimens.
Physical & Chemical Properties/Definition of Chemical Group
CAS#: 107-02-8
Class: Highly flammable, very toxic, corrosive, carcinogen
Molecular Formula: C3H4O
Form (physical state): Liquid
Color: Colorless, yellow
Acrolein
1/08/2013
Boiling Point: 51-53 °C
Flash Point: -29 °C
-closed cup
Lower Explosion Limit 2.8%(V)
Upper Explosion Limit 31%(V)
Potential Hazards/Toxicity
Acrolein is a highly flammable liquid or vapor. Carbon oxides may form under fire conditions. May be fatal
if inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin. May cause respiratory tract, skin, and eye irritation.
Causes burns to skin and eyes with severe or permanent eye damage. May cause allergic skin reaction.
It is extremely destructive to the tissue of the mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract. May cause
coughing, shortness of breath, pulmonary edema, chemical pneumonitis, nausea, and headache.
Ingestion may cause perforation to the esophagus and stomach. May cause cancer. Acrolein has a CalOSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 0.25 mg/m3.
Engineering Controls
Acrolein should be used in a glove box or in a closed system in a certified chemical fume hood.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
NOTE: Lab-specific information on PPE selection may be included in Lab Specific Instructions.
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.
Refer to 8 CCR 5144 for selection of respirators. A respiratory protection program that meets 8
CCR 5144 must be followed whenever workplace conditions warrant use of a respirator.
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.
Acrolein
1/08/2013
For glove selection, go to: http://ehs.berkeley.edu/hs/63-laboratory-safety/94-glove-selectionand-usage.html
Eye Protection
Safety glasses with side shields or tightly fitting safety goggles. Use face shield (8-inch
minimum) when appropriate. 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 (where appropriate) lab coat must be worn for protecting against chemical hazards.
Additional PPE may be required if procedures or processes present additional risk. It is the
responsibility of the PI to ensure that any additional PPE requirements are identified and
communicated to research staff.
Storage
Use unbreakable secondary containment for the storage of acutely toxic chemicals. If the
materials are volatile (or could react with moisture or air to form volatile toxic compounds),
containers should be in a ventilated storage area. All containers of acutely toxic chemicals
should be clearly labeled with chemical composition, known hazards, and warnings for handling.
Chemicals that can combine to make toxic materials (e.g., acids and inorganic cyanides, which
can generate hydrogen cyanide) should not be stored in the same secondary containment.
Chemicals that have a limited shelf life need to be tracked and monitored. Chemicals that
require refrigeration should be stored appropriately.
Spill Response and Exposure Response
Before beginning work with chemicals, review the relevant SOPs, Safety Data Sheets, and
other chemical safety resources. Develop specific procedures for emergency response and
chemical exposure or injury to staff, including any special first aid measures required for the
relevant chemicals.
Spill and Accident Procedure
Note: These responses may not apply to all acutely toxic chemicals. Please review specific
chemical SOPs and SDSs for specific response to spills and accidents. Always dial 911 and
510-642-9090 for assistance.
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.). Dial 911 and 510-642-9090 for assistance.
Acrolein
1/08/2013
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 eyeballs and inner surfaces of eyelids 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 510642-9090 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.
Hazardous Waste Disposal
General hazardous waste disposal guidelines:
Label Waste

Label all containers with the label provided at http://ehs.berkeley.edu/hm/279-newhazardous-waste-program-hwp.html. See the EH&S Fact Sheet, “Hazardous Waste
Management” for general instructions on procedures for disposing of hazardous
waste.
Dispose of Waste


Dispose of regularly generated chemical waste within six (6) months.
Call EH&S for questions
Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Location
SDS can be accessed online at http://ucmsds.com
Acrolein
1/08/2013
Protocol/Procedure
CAS#: 107-02-8
Chemical Storage
If not in use Acrolein containers have to be safely stored in the ventilated flammable storage cabinets.
Store and transport Acrolein containers in secondary containment (for example polyethylene bottle carrier).
Keep storage container closed (air tight) when not in use.
Maintain the smallest amount necessary for ongoing work. Use in the smallest practical quantities for the
experiment being performed.
An opened container can be stored for a maximum of 6 months. Dispose of unused amounts after that period of
time has passed (or if peroxides are found to be present by testing).
Acrolein is a highly flammable liquid and vapor that is used as a reagent in organic reactions Reactions may be very rapid
and violent. Any resulting waste from use of acrolein should be collected and disposed of as hazardous waste.
Preparation
Acrolein should only be handled in a fully functioning fume hood. Care should be taken to keep acrolein vapors inside the
fume hood to prevent the buildup of highly flammable vapors outside the hood
This compound is an irritant and extremely toxic. The vapor can cause flash fires and peroxides can form upon standing so
this reagent should be kept away from heat, flame, ignition sources, and sunlight. It should be kept away from acids, metal
salts, oxidants, amines, or weak acid conditions such as nitrogen or carbon oxide gases.
Know the location of the nearest fire extinguisher, eyewash, and safety shower before beginning work.
Never work alone. Make sure there is another worker present who is also trained in the Acrolein SOP.
Acrolein
1/08/2013
Procedure/Use
Scale
Engineering
Controls/Equipment
PPE (eye, face, gloves,
clothing)
Procedure Steps and Precautions
Acrolein is used in
the lab as a
reagent in
chemical
reactions.
This
compound
can be
handled in
quantities
from <1mL to
500mL.
All work using Acrolein
must be performed in a
ventilated fume hood.
Eye protection: Wear tightfitting safety goggles or safety
glasses with side shields.
Acrolein is flammable. Acrolein is
a known carcinogen, toxic by
inhalation and very hazardous by
skin contact.
Eliminate ignition
sources such as open
flames, hot surfaces,
steam baths, static
electricity, and operation
of mechanical and
electrical equipment that
is not intrinsically safe.
Face protection: Wear a face
shield when handling
containers of Acrolein that are
not behind a lab hood sash or
blast shield.
Ensure proper grounding
and avoid creating static
electricity. Be sure to
ground metal containers
when transferring
flammable liquids.
Notes
Acrolein
Gloves: Use 0.3 mm Butyl
Rubber, Latex or Nitrile
Gloves.For extended or heavy
use double glove using same.
Use in a fume hood and cap
container when not in use.
Draw out necessary amount with as
little exposure to ambient moisture
as possible.
Dispose of Acrolein-contaminated
gloves and glassware in sealed
containers.
Clothing: Wear fire/flame
resistant lab coat (100% cotton
based); cotton based
clothing/attire; full length pants
or equivalent; and close-toed,
close-heeled shoes.
Any deviation from this SOP requires approval from PI.
1/08/2013
Documentation of Training (signature and initials of all users is required)

Prior to conducting any work with Acutely Toxic Chemicals, designated personnel must provide
training to his/her laboratory personnel specific to the hazards involved in working with the specific
chemical(s) used, work area decontamination, and emergency procedures.

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.
I have read and understand the content of this SOP:
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Signature
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Acrolein
UCLA- EH&S
Date
7
Date: 9/13/2012
Written By CC/Reviewed By:
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Acrolein
UCLA- EH&S
8
Date: 9/13/2012
Written By CC/Reviewed By: