UCSF Lab Standard Operating Procedure s30

UCSF Lab Standard Operating Procedure

Chemical Process, Name or Hazard Class: Mercuric Chloride

Please fill out the form completely. Insure all users have access to this SOP. Refer to instructions for assistance. Department: Enter text. Date SOP was written: Enter date. This lab specific SOP has been reviewed and approved by: Principal Investigator Name: Enter text. Principal Investigator Signature Lab Manager/Supervisor: Enter text.

Type of SOP: ☐ Process ☒Hazardous Chemical ☐ Hazardous Class

Purpose

Mercuric chloride is highly toxic if inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin. It causes burns by all exposure routes. It is a suspected reproductive toxicant according to California Prop 65. Mercuric chloride was used as a topical antiseptic and treatment for syphilis but is no longer used due to its toxicity and access to superior treatments. It is used in photography, batteries, disinfectants, wood preservatives, fungicides, fabric printing, embalming, and analytical chemistry. It was used extensively as a catalyst in the synthesis of vinyl chloride until the 1980s.

Physical & Chemical Properties/Definition of Chemical Group

CAS#: 7487-94-7

Class: Acute toxicant, target organ effect, corrosive, irritant, teratogen, mutagen

Molecular Formula: Cl2Hg

Form (physical state): Solid

Color: White

Boiling point: 300-302 °C

Potential Hazards/Toxicity

Mercuric chloride 1 Date: Click here to enter a date. Modified from SOP templates developed by UCLA EH&S (http://www.sop.ehs.ucla.edu/)

Mercuric chloride is highly toxic if inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin. It causes severe skin burns and eye damage. Material is extremely destructive to the tissue of the mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract. It may cause an allergic skin reaction. It may cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. Symptoms of exposure include coughing, sore throat, shortness of breath, headache, nausea, vomiting, dermatitis, diarrhea, ulceration, pneumonitis, pain, redness, blurred vision, muscle tremors, behavioral changes, memory loss, and metallic taste. It may cause damage to kidneys and central nervous system.

Engineering Controls

Work with this chemical in a certified ducted fume hood. Facilities storing or utilizing this material should be equipped with an eyewash facility and a safety shower.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Respirator Protection If lab personnel would like to use respirator on a voluntary basis, they must be trained and fit-tested by EH&S. This is a regulatory requirement. (http://or.ucsf.edu/ehs/8193-DSY/version/default/part/4/data/)

Hand Protection Handle with nitrile gloves. Gloves must be inspected prior to use. Use proper glove removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product. Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices. Wash and dry hands.

NOTE: Consult with your preferred glove manufacturer to ensure that the gloves you plan on using are compatible with mercuric chloride.

Refer to glove selection chart from the links below: http://www.ansellpro.com/download/Ansell_8thEditionChemicalResistanceGuide.pdf OR http://www.allsafetyproducts.biz/page/74172 OR http://www.showabestglove.com/site/default.aspx OR http://www.mapaglove.com/

Eye Protection ANSI approved safety glasses or goggles. Face shield is also recommended.

Skin and Body Protection Lab coats should be worn. These laboratory coats must be appropriately sized for the individual and be buttoned to their full length. Laboratory coat sleeves must be of a sufficient length to prevent skin exposure while wearing gloves. Full length pants and close-toed shoes must be worn at all times by all individuals that are occupying the laboratory area. The area of skin between the shoe and ankle should not be exposed.

Hygiene Measures Avoid contact with skin, eyes and clothing. Wash hands before breaks and immediately after handling the product.

First Aid Procedures

If inhaled

Move person into fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Consult a physician.

In case of skin contact Wash off immediately with soap and plenty of water for at least 15 minutes while removing contaminated clothing and shoes. Take victim immediately to hospital. Consult a physician.

In case of eye contact Flush with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes lifting upper and lower eyelids and removing contact lenses. Continue rinsing eyes during transport to hospital. Consult a physician.

If swallowed Do not induce vomiting. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Rinse mouth with water. Consult a physician.

Special Handling and Storage Requirements

Precautions for safe handling: Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Avoid inhalation and ingestion. Avoid dust formation. Ensure normal measures for preventative fire protection.

Conditions for safe storage: Store in secondary containment with “acute toxin” and “reproductive toxin” labels on the primary container, secondary containment and the storage location. Keep containers tightly closed in a dry, cool, and well-ventilated place. Protect from light and moisture. Avoid strong oxidizing agents and strong bases. Incompatible with formates, sulfites, phosphates, albumin, ammonia, gelatin, carbonates, hypophosphites, sulfides, alkalis, alkaloid salts, lime water, antimony and arsenic, bromides, borax, reduced iron, copper, iron, lead, tannic acid and vegetable astringents. Reacts violently with potassium and sodium.

Spill and Accident Procedure Chemical Spill Dial 9-911 from campus phone or 415-476-1414 from cell phone or 415-206- 8522 (SFGH only)

Spill – Assess the extent of danger. Assist contaminated or injured persons. Evacuate the spill area. Avoid breathing vapors. If possible, confine the spill to a small area using a spill kit or absorbent material. Keep others from entering contaminated area (e.g., use caution tape, barriers, etc.).

Small (<1 L) – If you have training, you may assist in the clean-up effort. Use appropriate personal protective equipment and clean-up material for chemical spilled. Double bag spill waste in clear plastic bags, label and take to the next chemical waste pick-up.

Large (>1 L) – Dial 9-911 from campus phone or 415-476-1414 from cell phone or 415-206- 8522 (SFGH only) for assistance.

Chemical Spill on Body or Clothes – Remove clothing and rinse body thoroughly in emergency shower for at least 15 minutes. If discomfort persists, proceed to the Emergency Department. If no further discomfort is experienced, have the SDS ready and contact Poison Control Hotline at 1-800- 222-1222 for further exposure information. Notify your direct supervisor and EH&S at 415- 476-1300 during work hours, or 9-911 during non-working hours and weekends.

Chemical Splash Into Eyes – Immediately rinse eyeball and inner surface of eyelid with water for 15 minutes by forcibly holding the eye open. If discomfort persists, proceed to the Emergency Department. If no further discomfort is experienced, have the SDS ready and contact Poison Control Hotline at 1-800-222-1222 for further exposure information. Notify your direct supervisor and EH&S at 415-476-1300 during work hours, or 9-911 during non-working hours and weekends.

Medical Emergency Dial 9-911 (campus phone) or 476-6911 (cell phone)

Note: All serious injuries must be reported to EH&S at 415-476-1300 within 8 hours.

Non-Life Threatening Emergency– Go to Occupational Health Programs (OHP) Clinic, 415-885- 7580, 2330 Post Street, Suite 460 Hours of Operation for Appointments: Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (except Holidays).

Note: All serious injuries must be reported to EH&S at 415-476-1300 within 8 hours.

Needle stick/puncture exposure (as applicable to chemical handling procedure) – Wash the affected area with antiseptic soap and warm water for 15 minutes. For mucous membrane exposure, flush the affected area for 15 minutes using an eyewash station. Page the needle stick nurse by dialing 415-353-7842 (STIC).

Decontamination/Waste Disposal Procedure

Clean contaminated surfaces with soap and water and paper towels. Dispose of the paper towels as hazardous waste.

Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Location

Online SDS can be accessed at http://or.ucsf.edu/ehs/7241-DSY/msds.html

Protocol/Procedure

Quantities covered by this SOP: ______(g , ml) to ______(g, ml)

Temperature range covered by this SOP: __ °C – __ °C

General Overview and Purpose: Enter the experimental purpose

Procedure: Enter experimental procedure. You can copy procedure from your lab notebook or from literature.

Any deviation from this SOP requires approval from the Principal Investigator.