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What is a solvent?
Chemical substance which is used to dissolve or dilute other substances and materials (solutes) without chemical changes.
Unconsciousness and even death can result from exposure to very high concentrations of solvent vapours.
Inorganic solvents
Classification of Solvents
water and aqueous solutions containing special additives (surfacants, detergents, PH buffers, inhibitors). acids and bases e.g. liquid anhydrous ammonia (NH3),concentrated sulfuric acid (H2SO4)
Organic solvents
Oxygenated solvents contain oxygen. e.g. alcohols, glycol ethers, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, ketones, esters, and glycol ether/esters. Hydrocarbon solvents consist only of hydrogen and carbon atoms.
-Aromatic solvents: have benzene ring structure; e.g. benzene, toluene and
Halogenated solvents
contain halogenic atoms :(Cl, F , Br or I).
Hazards Classification
Risk to health resulting from acute, repeated or prolonged exposure: very toxic or toxic harmful corrosive irritant cancer causing hazards to reproduction can cause non-heritable birth defects sensitizing
Fire and explosion hazards may be classified as follows explosive oxidizing extremely flammable highly flammable flammable The following properties present a hazard to the environment and are: toxic to living organisms persistent in the environment bioaccumulative
Examples
Toxic Acids (e.g. hydrochloric, nitric, oxalic) Benzene Carbon disulphide Chlorinated hydrocarbons
Arsenic compounds Inorganic cyanides Mercury compounds Selenium and its compounds Thallium salts
Halogens and halogen salts e.g. bromine, zinc chloride, sodium hypochlorite.
Organic halides and organic acid halides such as acetyl chloride. Acid anhydrides.
Corrosive storage cabinets separated from all other chemicals. They should not be stored in unapproved metal cabinets or on high shelves. Organic acids and organic bases may be stored with the flammables, but acid resistant plastic trays must carefully segregate them.
Perchloric, Hydrofluoric and Nitric acid must be stored separately (e.g. in nalgene buckets).
Examples
Solvents e.g acetone, ethanol Weak acids, e.g. acetic, citric Bases e.g. NaHCO3 Sulphates e.g. ZnSO4, (NH4)2SO4, Oxides e.g. Ag2O, Fe2O3,Al2O3
Flammable (F)
A liquid is considered to be
flammable if it has a flash point less than 37.8C, e.g. chlorobenzene. Liquid substances and preparations having Flash points below 21C are said to be highly flammable, e.g. ethanol, methanol, propanol, toluene.
Note:
A liquid is considered to be combustible if it has a flash point of 37.8C or more, but less than 93.3C, as determined by the appropriate test method.
Solids and preparations are highly flammable if they readily catch fire after brief contact with a source of ignition and continue to bum after removal of the source of ignition.
Some substances and preparations, evolve highly flammable gases in dangerous quantities when they come into contact with water or damp air.
Flammable liquids should be stored in a well ventilated metal cabinet (with drip trays). Use a flammable storage cabinet or the shelf below a chemical fume hood. Keep away from open fires, sources of heat and sparks.
Name DMSO ethanol ethyl acetate ethyl acrylate ethyl chloroformate ethyl formate heptane hexane methanol isobutyl methyl ketone pentane piperidine propan-2-ol pyridine tetrahyrdrofuran toluene
Examples
Perchloric acid, chlorates and perchlorates Chromates, dichromates, permanganates, persulphates and periodates Nitric acid, nitrates, sodium nitrite Liquid oxygen and liquid air, peroxides
Explosive (E)
Unstable compounds. May explode if subject to heat, shocks or friction. Store away from other materials. Avoid using if a safer alternative can be used. If this is not possible use the smallest possible quantity and do on a bench surrounded by safety screens (on all sides).
Examples:
Avoid skin contact with solvents by wearing suitable protective clothing (gloves, lab coat, goggles or face shield etc). Use minimum amounts, use dispensers where possible to keep evaporation to a minimum and reduce spillage and keep lids on containers unless contents are being poured or Always wear goggles when dipped etc. heating chemicals, doing preparative chemistry, or standing near a chemical reaction.
Hand Protection
Gloves must be resistant to the specific chemical with which you are working. For concentrated acids and alkalis or organic solvents, natural rubber, neoprene, or nitrile gloves are recommended. Remove gloves when opening doors, typing on computers or using the phone!
For handling hot objects, gloves made of heatresistant materials should be available and kept near the vicinity of ovens or furnaces. Special insulated gloves should be worn when handling very cold objects such as liquid Nitrogen (LN2).
Keep away from naked flames as very toxic gases may be given off (by chlorinated solvents) and many solvents are flammable.
Use value (include units) in the Code of practice for the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Chemical Agents) Regulations, 2001.
If there is no value for your particular chemical in that document, consult the MSDS or the EH40/2003 Occupational exposure limits 2002 (Published by the British HSA).
assess the risks to your health from your use of solvents and the precautions necessary to protect it;
introduce measures to prevent you from being exposed to solvents or, where this is not reasonably practicable, ensure that your exposure is adequately controlled; ensure that control measures are used, equipment is properly maintained and checked and procedures are observed; where necessary, monitor your exposure and carry out appropriate health surveillance;
inform you about the risks and the precautions necessary to protect your health;
train you in the use of control measures and any protective equipment which is required.
You must: co-operate with your employer; make full use of any control measures, use the protective equipment provided and report any defective equipment; where appropriate, attend health surveillance procedures at your workplace. not use any materials containing solvents unless the area is adequately ventilated and, where necessary, you are provided with suitable respiratory protection. not enter a confined space where there may be solvent vapours, unless your employer has ensured it is safe for you to do so by ventilating the space and testing the atmosphere, or unless special precautions are taken.
When more than one danger symbol is used the obligation to apply symbol T or T+ will make symbols C, Xn and Xi optional the obligation to apply symbol C will make symbols Xn and Xi optional the obligation to apply symbol E will make symbols F and O optional If a preparation is classified both harmful Xn and irritant Xi, it will be labelled harmful Xn, and the irritant properties should be pointed out with appropriate R-phrases.
The total amount of the substance in the preparation has an effect in choosing the danger symbols, R- and S-phrases.
Hazard Symbol
Xn XYLENE
Flammable (RIO), Harmful by inhalation and in contact with the skin (R20/21), Irritating to skin (R38) Keep out of reach of children (S2) Avoid contact with eyes (S25) Chemical Name
Risk Phrases
Safety Phrases
to another container you must label it with a copy of the original label.
Samples
i) Name of chemical and solvent ii) Name of owner iii) Date iv) An appropriate hazard warning/ danger symbol
Disposal of Solvents
There are three categories which are disposed of by the "waste solvent" route. Waste flammable solvent (Ethyl acetate, diethyl ether, xylene, petroleum ethers etc.) Waste chlorinated solvent (Chloroform, dichloromethane trichlorethylene etc.)
All chemical waste must be disposed of promptly through the Hazardous Materials Facility (HMF) www.tcd.ie/hazardous_ materials.
Waste oil These should be stored in approved safety cans and sent to the HMF when they are no more than 2/3 full. Solvents containing toxic or carcinogenic substances should also be separated.
Examples are chloroform and acetone or methanol in the presence of sodium hydroxide, carbon tetrachloride and dimethylformamide in the presence of iron.
On no account should oxidisers be added to flammable solvent, since there is a high risk of fire or explosion. In some cases, (for example with nitric acid) there will be a violent blow out of material due to the immediate heating effect .
In other cases (for example with bromine and ethanol) there can be a delayed reaction which may cause the drum to rupture if it has been sealed before the heat is generated by the reaction.
The addition of water or acids to the waste in the drums is also dangerous since it corrodes the drums, eventually causing leaks of the waste solvent.
SOLID WASTE Non-contaminated paper and packaging and uncontaminated gloves. Polymerised gels adequately wrapped (inside used glove etc) Sharps, needles, fine broken glass, pipette tips, disposable pipettes contaminated paper, plastics and gloves
DISPOSAL ROUTE
Yellow sharps bins to be disposed of via the HMF. Rigid, puncture-proof containers which are clearly marked "CLEAN BROKEN GLASS" before discarding in the solid waste stream.
Toxic Waste
Never throw toxic substances or glassware into the waste paper bin! All toxic waste should be segregated and clearly labelled and disposed of via the HMF. Contaminated gloves and tissues should be disposed of in the same manner. Tissues containing large amounts of solvents should be vented in the fume hood Containers which have been emptied but which may contain residues of hazardous chemicals should be treated as hazardous. In cases of doubt about the degree of hazard, the waste should be classified as the highest hazard.
Care of Equipment
Balance
Extremely delicate Always use a vessel to weigh substances in Avoid spillage (especially CNTs!) and clean after use
Ultrasonic bath
Fill up to 1 inch below surface Never leave on overnight Never drop things into it when switched on Do not place your hands into bath while operating! Do not use with conc. acid ( unless in sealed tube)
Vacuum Ovens
Get instructions on how to use Always use a trap and surge vessel Do not switch on high heat without checking what is inside! Do not leave on with door open! Clean after use Get instructions on how to use Store in a cool, well ventilated place (properly chained to the wall) Valves and screw threads should never be greased as this can lead to an explosion Cold burns, wear appropriate gloves and shoes Asphyxiation in poorly ventilated space Fire danger: Liquid nitrogen (b.p. -1960C) contains some liquid oxygen (b.p. -1820C) so before complete evaporation there may be a high % of O2 left. Oxygen enrichment also occurs near surface. Risk of explosion: over-pressurisation from large volume expansion ratio
Gas Cylinders
Cryogenic liquids
Large glass flasks should also be supported at the base as well as clamped at the neck.
Glass tubing should always be carried in an upright position.
Avoid carrying glassware with wet hands. Never remove chemicals or equipment without asking
Could be a hazardous substance Could be needed to neutralize a hazardous spill
Never look into the mouth of a test-tube (or beaker, flask etc)
And dont point it at anyone else!
Glass ampoules
Ampoules of volatile chemicals must be thoroughly cooled and wrapped in strong cloth before opening
If your experiment has to be left on overnight it must display an unattended apparatus form
with details of special procedural hazards, how to terminate in an emergency and a contact address and phone no (24hr). Chemical reactions also need a usage risk assessment form. Machinery should not be left running unless it is safe.
Make sure all machines have necessary guards etc.
Note
Contaminated items. Return glassware that contains chemicals or contamination to the researcher for proper disposal.
Removing labels. When scraping labels, always brace the bottle against the sink so you have good control and the bottle doesn't slip.
Use a laboratory chemical hood when handling stock quantities of volatile hazardous chemicals or doing experiments which may expose you to chemical or toxic fumes. Protection is provided by room air that is drawn into the hood and vented to the atmosphere. The hood ventilation provides further protection by diluting the concentration of flammable gases below explosion limits.
NT are classified as Irritants (Xi) and therefore require the following hazard symbol, risk and safety phrases and should be used with protective equipment.
R 36/37 Irritating to eyes and respiratory system.
S26 In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice. S36 Wear suitable protective clothing. Be sure to wear gloves, goggles, aprons and dust masks. Provide good ventilation or use in a fume hood.
Well known that 'ultra fine' particles can damage human lungs e.g. Asbestos is still killing people 100 years on. NP are likely to cause damage to human lungs because of their size and extreme aspect ratio (as they can get deep into the lungs). They carry other chemicals including metals and hydrocarbons in with them, causing asthma and breathing problems.
They can get into the body through the skin, lungs and digestive system. This may cell damage by the creation of free radicals.
There is also a danger that once NP are in the bloodstream they will be able to cross the blood-brain barrier.
The human body has developed a tolerance to most naturally occurring elements but it has no natural immunity to new substances and is more likely to find them toxic.
Recommendations
Follow MSDS for Activated carbon
Classified as harmful (Xn) Risk Phrases R20: Harmful by inhalation, R36/37/38: Irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin
Safety Phrases S22: do not breath dust, S26: In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice S36/37: Wear suitable protective clothes and gloves
Use PPA and respirators with HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters
Reduce Exposure
Production should be done within a contained process For large amounts weigh out in a glove box Isolate individuals Monitor exposure concentrations
Dimethylformamide (DMF)
MUTAGENIC EFFECTS: Mutagenic for mammalian somatic cells. Mutagenic for bacteria The substance is toxic to blood, kidneys, liver, central nervous system Repeated or prolonged exposure can produce target organs damage May cause alcohol intolerance Special Remarks on Chronic Effects on Humans: - Chronic exposure may affect genetic material. - May cause adverse reproductive effects(paternal and maternal) and birth defects. - May cause cancer although evidence for cancer shows inadequate data.
Dimethylacetamide (DMA)
Toxicity data Toxicity experienced on rats, mouses and rabbits (oral, intraperitoneal, intravenous) The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation and through the skin: Headache. Nausea. Vomiting. The substance decomposes on heating producing toxic fumes (nitrogen oxides) A harmful contamination of the air will be reached rather slowly on evaporation of this substance at 20C. Effects of short-term exposure The substance is irritating to the eyes and the skin . Effects of long-term or repeated exposure The liquid defats the skin. The substance may have effects on the central nervous system and liver.
caused reduced fertility in male rats and increased the time for female rats to become pregnant. Not studied in humans. In one report, a worker's exposure to NMP during the first trimester of pregnancy was linked to abnormal growth of the fetus
Repeated, frequent overexposure to NMP and other solvents over months or years can have long-lasting and possibly permanent effects on the nervous system. The symptoms of these long-term effects include fatigue, sleeplessness, poor coordination, difficulty in concentrating, loss of short-term memory, and personality changes such as depression, anxiety, and irritability. Breathing excessive amounts for a short period of time causes headache, nausea, dizziness, clumsiness, drowsiness and other effects like those of being drunk.
Methanol
Isopropanol (IPA)
May cause skin irritation (Prolonged and/or repeated contact may cause defatting of the skin and dermatitis)
May cause central nervous system depression (headache, dizziness, etc.) May cause kidney damage May form explosive peroxides May cause reproductive effects based upon animal studies May cause severe eye irritation and possible injury (burning sensation, redness, tearing, inflammation, and possible corneal injury ) Causes digestive and respiratory tract irritation (inhalation of vapor may cause respiratory tract irritation. May cause narcotic effects) Target Organs: Kidneys, central nervous system.
Ethanol
May cause skin irritation
May cause severe eye irritation and possible injury Chronic use can cause serious liver damage
Causes digestive and respiratory tract irritation (inhalation of vapor may cause respiratory tract irritation. May cause narcotic effects)
Acetone
Extremely flammable liquid and vapour
Causes irritation to the skin due to defatting action (redness, pain, drying and cracking of the skin, dermatitis) Effects central nervous system: high concentrations can produce central nervous system depression, narcosis, and unconsciousness. Use of alcoholic beverages enhances toxic effects. Exposure may increase the toxic potential of chlorinated hydrocarbons, such as chloroform, trichloroethane. Causes irreversible irritation to respiratory tract: coughing, dizziness, dullness, and headache
Chloroform
Causes cancer in laboratory animals IARC listed as a probable human carcinogen. Inhalation and ingestion are harmful and may be fatal
May cause reproductive damage Irritant Exposure to alcohol may increase toxic effects Prolonged or repeated skin contact may cause dermatitis
Toluene
Toxic by inhalation, ingestion or by absorption through skin
Symptoms of overexposure may include fatigue, confusion, headache, dizziness, drowsiness Very high concentrations may cause unconsciusness and death
Serious irritant May affect liver, kidneys, blood system and central nervous system Exposure to alcohol may increase toxic effects Prolonged or repeated skin contact may cause dermatitis
... BUT you MUST be carefull and take preacutions!!!!!!! ... FOR YOU AND THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU!!!!!
Its just common sense.......
Drivers know that there are some rules and driving can be chaotic but still ordinate... Just like in Italy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fume Hood
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