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Laboratory Chemicals
Tips on Safe Storage, Handling, and Disposal
Regulatory authorities, such as the DOT, EPA and OSHA, require agencies to properly
classify, store, and transport hazardous chemicals. In today’s laboratories, a wide range
of chemicals may be found. From large pharmaceutical R&D labs to University and
High School labs, chemical inventories range from fairly innocuous chemicals to highly
reactive compounds. Proper storage, handling, and disposal methods can prevent
dangerous and costly incidents from occurring.
One area of focus for institutions to prioritize is that of highly reactive or potentially
explosive chemicals. Chemical waste vendors should be relied on to help facilities in the
identification, storage, handling, treatment/stabilization, and disposal of these chemicals.
Many facilities and laboratories maintain an inventory of highly reactive chemicals
without ever knowing that they exist. Highly reactive chemicals (including those
chemicals that are considered potentially explosive) , under the right conditions may
become unstable and react violently. This reaction may result in the release of intense
heat, fire, toxic gas or even potentially a deflagration or detonation. Because of the
health and safety concerns associated with these chemicals, specific chemical
management protocols should be implemented and followed. For the laboratory setting,
these protocols should be outlined in the chemical hygiene plan.
Identification of these chemicals and their hazards is the first step in their management.
Many are commonly found in facilities and laboratories, yet facility personnel are
unaware of the potential hazards or how to properly manage them in order to reduce their
risk. Highly reactive and potentially explosive chemicals can generally be group by
hazard or chemical family. Once identified and categorized into groups, protocols to
minimize their potential hazards including proper management, safety practices and
disposal can be established.
Updated 1/15/04 - JSI