Hazardous Substances Policy - Assessment

3-(4,5-Dimethyl-2-thazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (synonyms: MTT, Thiazolyl Blue) Hazardous Substances Policy - Assessment CHEMICAL HAZARD AND RISK ASSESSMENT School of Biosciences

Name of Dr. C. Sweet Assessment Number* 2067 supervisor Signature Assessor Dr. C. Sweet Date of Assessment 13/09/02 Signature

Notes A School COSHH form in Word is available on the School Server. Available from the Health and Safety Unit. Guidance on making an assessment is given in Making a Chemical Hazard and Risk Assessment. Guidance is also available from Guidance on Completing the Chemical Hazard and Risk Assessment Form. Use a continuation sheet to expand any section of this form in hard copy version.

1 LOCATION OF THE WORK ACTIVITY Laboratory S105

2 PERSONS WHO MAY BE AT RISK List names where possible Dr C Sweet, Ms Beverley Smith (visitor)

3 ACTIVITY ASSESSED Antiviral assay

4 MATERIALS INVOLVED Attach copies of data sheet(s) NAME AMOUNT HAZARD RISK PHRASES HAZDAT NO*** BIOSCIENCESNO*** max/stored 3-(4,5-Dimethyl-2- 2 x 100mg Harmful, toxic, R20/R21/R22. Harmful if thazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H- mutagen ingested, inhaled or tetrazolium bromide absorbed through the skin. (synonyms: MTT, R? May cause irritation. Thiazolyl Blue) The toxicological properties have not been fully investigated.

5 INTENDED USE** Give brief details and attach protocol/instructions To stain cells. Cells treated with or without interferon or peptides derived therefrom and infected with encephalomyocarditis virus will be stained with MTT and following incubation the cells will be lysed and the number of previously viable cells quantified by the amount of dye released. Solutions (5mg/ml in PBS) are made up fresh before use and 50l volumes added to each well.

6 RISKS to HEALTH and SAFETY from INTENDED USE From personal exposure or hazardous reactions. Refer to OELs, flash points, etc., as appropriate. Are pregnant women, breast-feeding mothers especially at risk? Non-flammable and no risk of explosion. Flash point and minimum ignition temperature unavailable. If heated or burned will release toxic fumes of NO and SO. Dangerous reactions may occur in the presence of strong oxidising agents. As far as can ascertain there are no extra risks for breast feeding or pregnant women or for the immunosuppressed but as it is a mutagen such groups should avoid contact with the powder and solutions.

Signs and symptoms of exposure are unknown but may include moderate to severe erythema (redness) and moderate oedema (raised skin).

7 CONCLUSIONS ABOUT RISKS Is level of risk acceptable? Can risk be prevented or reduced by change of substance/procedure? Are control measures necessary? May be harmful if ingested, inhaled or absorbed through the skin. The risk should be minimal using the concentrations and volumes described above provided the control measures described below are adhered to.

8 CONTROL MEASURES Additional to Good Chemical Practice Wear lab coat, gloves and eye protection when weighing the powder. Wear gloves when handling solutions.

9 INSTRUCTION/TRAINING Specify course(s) and/or special arrangements. New people in the lab should be instructed to be familiar with the risks. Be familiar with fire evacuation and the fire extinguishers.

10 MONITORING Performance of control measures,

Personal exposure Health Surveillance

11 WASTE DISPOSAL PROCEDURE See School Server for Approved Procedure Document on specific Chemical Waste Disposal. General disposal procedures should suffice. For example, wash solutions down sink with copious amounts of water. Dissolve waste powder in solvent and treat as non-halogen waste. 12 REVIEW Enter the date or circumstances for review of assessment (maximum review interval 5 years) After 5 years.

13 EMERGENCY ACTION TO CONTROL HAZARDS To stabilize situation eg spread absorbant on liquid spill; eliminate sources of ignition, etc. Carry out work wearing protective clothing; gloves, goggles and lab coat. In the event of spillage of powder, sweep powder into suitable container for disposal via special waste procedure; for liquid absorb onto absorbant paper and incinerate

University emergency service tel: 44444; report accidents/incidents immediately.

TO PROTECT PERSONNEL Evacuation, protection for personnel involved in clean-up, Special First Aid Contact with skin: remove contaminated clothing and rinse with copious amounts of soap and water for 10 minutes. Seek medical advice Swallowed: Rinse mouth several times with water, do not swallow. Seek medical advice. Eye contact: Rinse liberally with water. Seek medical advice. Inhaled: Take patient into fresh air and allow to rest. Seek medical advice.

TO RENDER SITE OF EMERGENCY SAFE Clean-up/decontamination As above

CONTACT Dr Clive Sweet PHONE 46554

10.10.00 * Prefix T is used for Teaching Assessment Number.

** Please include amount of chemicals used and how.

*** Hazdat No is the UNICOSHH datasheet report number.

Biosciences No is the Biosciences data sheet number.

UNICOSHH IS A CHEMICAL DATABASE ON THE HEALTH AND SAFETY UNIT SERVER. BIOSCIENCES DATA SHEETS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE SCHOOL SAFETY OFFICE.