Hazards by class

Bases

Precautions:• Wear gloves• Protect metals (cover with

plastic)

• Wipe off seal after each use before closing

White Label

DDC 01xx

Examples:• 1• 2• 3• 4

Corrosive

Acids

Precautions:• Separate organic and inorganic• Wear gloves• Protect metals (cover with

plastic)• Wipe off seal after each use

before• closing

White Label

DDC 02xx

Examples: (with cap color)• Acetic Acid—Brown• Phosphoric Acid—White• Hydrochloric Acid—Blue • Sulfuric Acid—Yellow • Nitric Acid—Red

Corrosive

Oxidizers

Precautions:• Keep away from

combustible materials

DDC 16xx

Examples:• Sodium hypochlorite• Potassium

permanganate• Peroxides• Perchlorates• Nitrates

Oxidizing

Yellow Label

Flammables

Precautions:• Keep away from

oxidizers and ignition sources

Red Label

DDC 08xx

Examples:• Many solvents

– Acetone, ether, methanol, benzene

• Phosphorus• Magnesium

Flammable

Reactive

Precautions:• Keep well sealed• Protect against moisture and

vibration • Isolate from atmosphere by

storing under inert gas (Nitrogen) or liquid (oil)

DDC 04xx, 12xx

Examples:Water reactive:

– Na/K/Li metal – Metal hydrides

Shock reactive: – Organic peroxides– Heavy metal azides

Reacts with AirWaterShock

Yellow Label

Inhalation Hazard

Precautions:• Keep well sealed

Blue Label

DDC ##PH

Examples:• Methyl iodide• Methylamine• Thionyl chloride• Silica• Ammonia

Toxic if inhaled

Toxic

Precautions:• Do not swallow, touch, or

inhale• Wash hands after handling

Blue Label

DDC 18xx

Examples:• Cyanides• Azides• Sulfides• DMSO• Chloroform

Toxic if swallowed

Low Hazard

Precautions:• Keep liquids below eye level

Grey Label

DDC 05xx, 06xx

Examples:• Halogen salts• Buffers• Chemicals with low

reactivity (lots of examples)

Orange Label

Green Label

Irritant

Radioactive

Precautions:• Authorized users only!• Leave shielding in place• What about the testing /

monitoring badges/ rings?

DDC ##RA

Examples:• 3H• 14C• 32P• 125I• 35S

Biohazard

Precautions:• Materials must be

inactivated before disposal

Examples:• E. coli• S. cerevisiae• Salmonella• Viruses

May also be:ToxicHarmful to environment

Mercury or Heavy Metal

Precautions:• Materials must be disposed

as hazardous waste

Examples:• Mercury• Cadmuim• Lead

ToxicHarmful to environment

Carcinogen

Precautions:• Do not swallow, touch or

inhale • Use appropriate gloves

Examples:• Arsenic• Beryllium• Benzene• Formaldehyde• Vinyl Chloride

Cancer causingToxic

Reproductive Toxin

Precautions:• Do not swallow, touch or

inhale • Use appropriate gloves

Examples:• Selenium/ Tellurium• Methylene chloride• Chloroform• Arsenic• Xylene

Toxic

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 ##PFPeroxide 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

Precautions:• Store in secondary

containers to segregate hazards

Light sensitivestore in the dark

Sensitive to HumiditySome chemicals need to be kept

• Dry– Store in dessicant to

remove humidity. – Protect from moisture.

• Moist– Store in

overpack with wet towel.

– Do NOT allow to dehydrate

Pressure Difference

Precautions:Do not heat, cool, or attempt to open while under pressure

Protect from impact

VacuumRisk of Projectiles

• Secure upright• Transport in a

secure cart

Compressed GasPressurized materials

• Use plastic netting to control glass shards if implosion

• Apply grease to seal

DDC ##CG