Disposal of Acrylamide Waste

Prof. Kevin Chipman group. Biosciences

Any person working with acrylamide should be familiar with schedule 3.2, 3.3 and 7.1 of the University hazardous substances policy Control measures (UHSP/15/HS/03). Enhanced good chemical practice MUST be applied when handling and disposing of acrylamide. For further information refer to http://www.hsu.bham.ac.uk/univ/az.htm. and the University’s HAZDAT Hazardous Substances database.

Acrylamide is TOXIC- category 2 carcinogen; category 2 mutagen

Risk Phrases: May cause cancer May cause heritable genetic damage Toxic if swallowed Irritating to eyes and skin May cause sensitisation by skin contact Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed Possible risk of impaired fertility

Personal protection Always wear suitable protective clothing, chemical resistant gloves and face/eye protection when handling acrylamide or waste.

Disposal a) Unwanted chemical stocks of acrylamide are classified as Hazardous Waste. Contact the Hazardous Waste Coordinator in Stores. These should be labelled as below. b) Solid polymerised acrylamide waste (e.g. low levels* in gels, contaminated paper towels etc.) be should be placed into a suitable, leak-tight container and then into a yellow bag and treated as clinical waste for incineration. b) Aqueous solutions or buffer containing acrylamide may be disposed of in shatter proof bottles using the carrier provided, via Stores as Hazardous Waste and clearly labelled as shown in labelling section below. c) Alternatively, acrylamide waste in solution may be mixed with a combustible solvent and disposed of via the School’s solvent waste procedure. Or waste solutions may be polymerised and the resultant solid waste disposed of as in b). above.

Labelling of disposal container. Name of chemical: Acrylamide TOXIC H4, H6, H7, H10 and H11 16 05 06 School : School of Biosciences. Lab. no: Date:

In case of accident inform a member of staff. If you feel unwell seek medical advice immediately. Show the label where possible.

COSHH assessments and material safety data sheets (MSDS) should be kept in each laboratory.

* For definition of low levels refer to Hazardous Waste: Guidance on Assessment, Guidance/11/HWGA/05 on the Health and Safety Unit web page. You should also consider if any mixed waste meets the cumulative criteria of CHIP2.

File: User/ Shrikant / disposal doc./ disposal / Acrylamide