Reagent Quality and Reagent Grade By Cameron Bornholm

Reagent Quality and Reagent Grade By: Cameron Bornholm, Angela Jenkins, and Cherelle Waters

Table of Contents I. What is a reagent II. Grades of reagents III. Reagent labels IV. Containers V. MSDS VI. Reagents at Kennesaw

What is a reagent?

A reagent is a test substance or compound that is added to a system in order to bring about a reaction or to see whether a reaction will occur.

A “reagent-grade” describes chemical substances of sufficient purity for use in chemical analysis, chemical reactions, or physical testing.

Grades of Reagents

There are eight different categories of chemical grades: General Acids High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography and Spectrophotometry Multiple Application Solvent Pesticide and Residue Standard Solutions Bio Tech Applications Miscellaneous

General Grades of Chemicals Reagent A. C. S. Lab Grade Guaranteed Reagent USP (GR) AR Primary Standard Reagent OR Purified Practical USP/Gen. AR NF FCC CP (Chemically Pure) Technical

Acids Omni. Trace Grade Acids Tracemetal Plus Suprapur Grade Acids AR Select Plus Environmental Grade Plus

High Pressure Liquid Chromotagraphy & Spectrophotometry Omni. Solv HPLC Solvents HPLC/Spectro Chrom. AR Spectr. AR Grade

Multiple Application Solvents Omni. Solvents Absolv Ultim. AR Accusolv Grade

Pesticide and Residue HR-GC Omni. Solv Grade Solvents Nanograde Residue Grade Solvents

Standard Solutions Standardized Stand. ARd Acculute

Bio Tech Applications Omni. Solv Biosynthesis Gen. AR Accugen BIO Anhydrosolv Dri. Solv

Miscellaneous Scintill. AR Silic. AR Accutint

Lab Chemical Safety DO Use the appropriate size container for the job. Get help when needed. Clean containers after use with deionized water. Work under a fume hood unless you have been told otherwise by the lab manager/supervisor. Use a funnel when pouring chemicals into a small container. Open bottles slowly to avoid spilling and allow vapors to escape. Know what type of reactions to expect. Remember to triple-A (AAA): Always Add Acid to water.

DON'T Reuse containers (adverse chemical reaction may occur). Eat, drink, smoke, or touch any body part before washing your hands when working with chemicals. Be afraid to ask questions. Pour leftover chemicals back in its source container, contamination may result. Put your face close to the bottle when pouring. Puncture cap or lid of any bottle.

Reagent Labels All solution labels meet all ISO, DOT and OSHA regulations and include the following information: Expiration Date of Manufacture Standard Reference Material used Actual Lot Analysis Space for date received and date opened NFPA diamond

Example of a Reagent Label

Reagent Containers Below are so of the containers used for reagents: 4 L Amber Glass Bottle Plastic Bottle and Jug 10 L Plastic Container Can 1 gallon F

Rieke Can Hed-Pak Carton with Liner Cubitai ner

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET (MSDS) These sheets contain all the pertinent information for the reagent. These must be kept in the lab where the reagent is stored. Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

OSHA began requiring MSDS's for hazardous materials effective May 26, 1986. OSHA is responsible for the Hazard Communication Standard 29 CFR 1910. 1200. "to ensure that the hazards of all chemicals produced or imported are evaluated, and that information concerning their hazards is transmitted to employers and employees. This transmittal of information is to be accomplished by means of comprehensive hazard communication programs, which are to include container labeling and other forms of warning, material safety data sheets and employee training. " The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) specifies the required elements that must be on an MSDS among other important data.

AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS (ASTM), IS AN INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS ORGANIZATION THAT DEVELOPS AND PUBLISHES VOLUNTARY CONSENSUS TECHNICAL STANDARDS FOR A WIDE RANGE OF MATERIALS, PRODUCTS, SYSTEMS, AND SERVICES.

FISHER SCIENTIFIC

REAGENTS AT KENNESAW All reagents, etc. are ordered through a unified software system. The reagent is bar coded and tracked through the system to its storage location. Expiration dates are automated through the system and alert the user that these particular items need to be checked. The grade ordered depends on the application. High grades are normally ordered in just the quantity needed because of high cost.

REFERENCES http: //www. ilpi. com/msds/ http: //www. astm. org/index. shtml http: //www. fishersci. com/wps/portal/CMSTATIC? href=index. jsp&store=Scientific&segment=life. Science http: //www. osha. gov/ http: //www. reagents. com/products/reagents/grades. html