DANGER! Duke OESO Guidelines for Safe Use of DANGER! BLEACH (sodium hypochlorite solution) • Destroys tissue at site of contact (usually skin or eyes). May cause respiratory irritation. • In contact with acids may release toxic chlorine gas. Potential • Contains sodium hypochlorite, an oxidizer. Hazards • Incompatible with many chemicals found in labs. (See page 2.) Hazards • See Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for specific hazard information. Selection & • Purchase at the lowest concentration & volume practical. Purchase • Tightly recap bleach bottle for storage. • Label bleach solutions with expiration date (one week after preparation). Storage & • Store below eye level but not on the floor. Transportation • Do not store with incompatibles. (See Page 2.) • If storing in or on metal cabinets/shelves, use secondary containment or other means to keep bleach off the metal (causes corrosion over time). For solutions with > 2% sodium hypochlorite: • Work in a chemical • Eyewash required in fume hood if toxic immediate work area. Engineering gases may be created Eyewash-drench hose or to limit irritation Controls preferred. when using large • Safety shower may be required quantities of bleach. when using large quantities. • Never mix bleach with an unknown compound or mixture. Work Practice • Avoid pouring bleach down metal sinks (causes corrosion over time). Hazard Controls Controls • Always check chemical compatibility on the SDS (and/or page 2) before adding bleach. Minimum PPE: • Fastened lab coat • Safety goggles Personal • Nitrile or powder-free latex gloves Protective Equipment Risk of splash/use of large quantity, ADD: (PPE) • Face shield • Impervious apron and sleeves (or coverall) Consult the manufacturer’s glove guide for glove effectiveness with the chemical you are using. Emergencies See Emergency Response Flip Chart and/or lab specific chemical hygiene plan. Follow above storage guidelines. See lab-specific chemical hygiene plan, Lab Chemical Waste Waste Management Practice, and Drain Disposal Practice. Other Training Sign signature page in lab-specific plan to indicate review. Questions Contact OESO Laboratory Safety at 919-684-8822. 2-7-2017. Online with links at www.safety.duke.edu/sites/default/files/Guidelines_Bleach.pdf. Page 1 Bleach Incompatibility Information Incompatible Chemicals and Agents Possible Results of Mixing with Bleach Hydrogen Peroxide • Violent reaction producing oxygen Acids and Acidic Compounds such as: • Release of toxic chlorine gas • Hydrochloric Acid • Aluminum Chloride (reaction/release may occur violently) • Sulfuric Acid • Ferrous or Ferric Chloride • Hydrofluoric Acid • Ferrous or Ferric Sulfate • Fluorosilicic Acid (Including chlorinated • Phosphoric Acid solutions) • Aluminum Sulfate Ammonia-containing compounds such as: • Formation of chloramine compounds • Ammonium Hydroxide (toxic and potentially explosive) • Ammonium Chloride • Ammonium Silicofluoride • Ammonium Sulfate • Quaternary Ammonium Salts Organic chemicals such as: • Formation of explosive compounds • Organic solvents • Insecticides • Release of toxic chlorine gas • • Organic polymers Fuels and fuel oils • Formation of chlorinated organics • • Amines Propane which may be toxic or carcinogenic. • Ethylene Glycol • Methanol • Formic acid Metals such as: • Release of oxygen which could cause • Cobalt • Avoid piping and equipment overpressurization and rupture of a • Copper containing aluminum, closed system • Nickel carbon steel, stainless steel, • Iron and other metals Reducing agents such as: • Production of heat from reaction may • Sodium Bisulfite cause boiling/splashing • Sodium Hydrosulfate • Sodium Sulfate • Sodium Thiosulfate Guanidine Salts (found in many lysis buffers) such as: • Release of toxic gases which can • Guanidine Hydrochloride include chloramines, chlorine, and • Guanidine Thiocyanate hydrogen cyanide 2-7-2017. Online with links at www.safety.duke.edu/sites/default/files/Guidelines_Bleach.pdf. Page 2 .