Chemical Spill Response in the Lab Chemical Spills

+ Chemical Spill Response in the Lab

+ Chemical Spills n Spills can seriously disrupt laboratory operations. n If handled properly, a spill may be nothing more than a nuisance. n In most cases, laboratory workers are the most appropriate people to clean up their spills. n If handled improperly, a spill can disrupt your activities and the work of your colleagues v Evacuation of a room or even the entire building. v Or can cause bodily harm or the lost of valuable material.

+ What to Do When a Spill Occurs? n Aware your colleagues and lab director. n You and others should move well away from the area when determining the appropriate response. n Follow the 3 steps to determine weather a spill is simple or complex: 1. Evaluating of the spill risks (i. e. , volatile vapors, water or air reactive, ignition sources, oxidizers, etc. ). 2. Evaluating of the quantities (i. e. , simple or complex spill). 3. Evaluating the spills potential impact (i. e. , toxic vapors after the cleaning, damage of the equipment, etc. ).

+ Recommended Procedures for Cleaning Up Spills n n First, be sure that you have the right protective equipment that includes: v Appropriate eye protection. v Protective gloves v A lab coat Make sure all the skin surfaces are covered. v Wear two set of gloves.

n Control the spread of the liquid. v v n Make a dike around the outside edges of the spill. Use absorbent materials such as vermiculite, cat litter, or spillows. Ø Flammable liquids are best removed through the use of spillows. Prevent the spread of dust and vapors v Close the lab door and increase ventilation through fume hoods. v Spills pillows or similar absorbent materials work the best than cat litter (do not have the dust associated with cat litter)

+ Finally n Neutralize acids and bases, if possible. v n Neutralization often causes splashes and large amount of heat. Collect and contain the clean up residues. v v The spill residue should be scooped, swept, or placed into a plastic bucket or other container. Keep clean up materials separate from normal trash. Ø ACS Task Force, Laboratory Waste Management: A Guidebook, Oxford University Press. Ø http: //portal. acs. org/