1.      Process

The use of the following chlorinated solvents in a laboratory environment:

q       Chloroform

q       Dichloromethane (Methylene Chloride)

q       Carbon Tetrachloride

q       Ethylene Dichloride (1,2-Dichloroethane)

q       Perchloroethylene (Tetrachloroethylene)

q       Trichloroethylene

2.      Physical hazards

q       Chloroform                                                                  

·          Colorless liquid with a pleasant odor.

·          Incompatibilities and Reactivities: strong caustics; chemically-active metals (such as aluminum or magnesium powder, sodium, potassium and strong oxidizers. (Note: when heated to decomposition, forms phosgene gas.)

q       Dichloromethane (Methylene Chloride)                                   

·          Colorless liquid with a chloroform-like odor. (Note: A gas above 104°F.)

·          Incompatibilities and Reactivities: strong oxidizers; caustics; chemically-active metals (such as aluminum, magnesium powders, potassium, sodium and concentrated nitric acid).

q       Carbon Tetrachloride                                                                

·          Colorless liquid with a characteristic ether-like odor

·          Incompatibilities and Reactivities: chemically-active metals (such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, fluorine and aluminum). (Note: Forms highly toxic phosgene gas when exposed to flames or welding arcs.)

q       Ethylene Dichloride (1,2-Dichloroethane)                                

·          Colorless flammable liquid with a pleasant, chloroform-like odor. (Note: Decomposes slowly, becomes acidic & darkens in color.)

·          Incompatibilities and Reactivities: strong oxidizers; caustics; chemically-active metals (such as magnesium or aluminum powder, sodium, potassium and liquid ammonia) (Note: Decomposes to vinyl chloride and Hydrochloric acid above 1112°F.)

q       Perchloroethylene (Tetrachloroethylene)                    

·          Colorless liquid with a mild, chloroform-like odor.

·          Incompatibilities & Reactivities: strong oxidizers; chemically-active metals (such as lithium, beryllium, barium, caustic soda, sodium hydroxide and potash).

q       Trichloroethylene                                                                    

·          Colorless liquid (unless dyed blue) with a chloroform-like odor.

·          Incompatibilities & Reactivities: strong caustics and alkalis; chemically-active metals (such as barium, lithium, sodium, magnesium, titanium and beryllium).

3.      Health Hazards

q       Chloroform

·          Exposure Routes: inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact.

·          Symptoms of overexposure are:

o         Irritation eyes.

o         Skin.

o         Dizziness.

o         Mental dullness.

o         Nausea.

o         Confusion.

o         Headache.

o         Fatigue.

o         Anesthesia

o         Enlarged liver.

·          Potential occupational carcinogen.

·          Target Organs:

o         Liver, kidneys.

o         Heart.

o         Eyes.

o         Skin

o         Central nervous system.

q       Dichloromethane (Methylene Chloride)

·          Exposure Routes: inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact.

·          Symptoms of overexposure:

o         Irritation eyes.

o         Skin.

o         Fatigue.

o         Weakness.

o         Somnolence (sleepiness, unnatural drowsiness).

o         Lightheadedness.

o         Numbness,

o         Tingle limb.

o         Nausea.

·          Potential occupational carcinogen.

·          Target Organs Eyes, skin, cardiovascular system, and central nervous system.

q       Carbon Tetrachloride

·          Exposure Routes: inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact.

·          Symptoms of overexposure:

o         Irritation eyes.

o         Skin.

o         Central nervous system depressant/depression.

o         Nausea.

o         Vomiting.

o         Liver.

o         Kidney injury.

o         Drowsiness.

o         Dizziness.

o         Incoordination.

·          Potential occupational carcinogen.

·          Target Organs central nervous system, eyes, lungs, liver, kidneys, skin.

·          Causes liver cancer in animals.

q       Ethylene Dichloride (1,2-Dichloroethane)

·          Exposure Routes: inhalation, ingestion, skin absorption, skin and/or eye contact.

·          Symptoms of overexposure:

o         Irritation eyes.

o         Corneal opacity.

o         Central nervous system depressant/depression.

o         Nausea.

o         Vomiting.

o         Dermatitis

o         Liver.

o         Kidney.

o         Cardiovascular system damage.

·          Potential occupational carcinogen.

·          Target Organs Eyes, skin, kidneys, liver, central nervous system, cardiovascular system.

·          Causes forestomach, mammary gland & circulatory system cancer in animals.

q       Perchloroethylene (Tetrachloroethylene)

·          Exposure Routes: inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact.

·          Symptoms of overexposure:

o         Irritation eyes.

o         Skin.

o         Nose.

o         Throat.

o         Respiratory system.

o         Nausea.

o         Flush face, neck.

o         Vertigo (an illusion of movement).

o         Dizziness.

o         Incoordination.

o         Headache.

o         Somnolence (sleepiness, unnatural drowsiness);.

o         Skin erythema (skin redness).

o         Liver damage.

·          Potential occupational carcinogen.

·          Target Organs Eyes, skin, respiratory system, liver, kidneys, and central nervous system.

·          Causes cancer in liver tumors in animals.

q       Trichloroethylene

·          Exposure Routes: inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact.

·          Symptoms of overexposure:

o         Irritation eyes.

o         Skin.

o         Headache.

o         Vertigo (an illusion of movement).

o         Visual disturbance.

o         Fatigue.

o         Giddiness.

o         Tremor.

o         Somnolence (sleepiness, unnatural drowsiness).

o         Nausea.

o         Vomiting.

o         Dermatitis.

o         Cardiac arrhythmias.

o         Paresthesia.

o         Liver injury.

·          Potential occupational carcinogen.

·          Target Organs Eyes, skin, respiratory system, heart, liver, kidneys, and central nervous system.

·          Causes liver and kidney cancer in animals. 

4.      Personal Protective Equipment

q       EYE PROTECTION

·          Safety glasses, goggles or face shields shall be worn during operations in which chlorinated solvents might contact the eyes (e.g., through vapors or splashes of solution).   

·          Ordinary (street) prescription glasses do not provide adequate protection.  Adequate safety glasses must meet the requirements of the Practice for Occupational Education Eye and Face Protection (ANSI Z87.1-1989) and must be equipped with side shields. 

·          Fisherbrand® Chemical Splash Goggles, catalog # 19-041-739 are recommended.

·          Contact lenses shall not be worn if the potential exists for chlorinated solvents exposure.

q       HAND PROTECTION

·          Use of Cobra Viton® chemical resistant gloves are recommended for use against permeation by chlorinated solvents which are available through Lab Safety Supply catalog # 2BD-86549.

q       LAB COATS, ETC.

·          Lab coats, closed toed shoes and long sleeved clothing shall be worn when handling chlorinated solvents. Protective clothing shall be worn to prevent any possibility of skin contact with chlorinated solvents.

q       SAFETY SHOWER/EYEWASH

·          Where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to chlorinated solvents, suitable facilities for quick drench or flushing of the eyes and body shall be provided within the work area for immediate emergency use. 

·          Bottle type eyewash stations are not acceptable.

5.      Designated Area for Use and Containment Devices

q       All chlorinated solvents work shall be done in the laboratory fume hood.

q       The fume hood’s sash must be in the position where a face velocity of 100 feet per minute is achieved.  

6.      Special Handling Procedures and Storage Requirements

Spill-X-S Kit must be available in the event of a liquid spill less than 300 cc which is available through Lab Safety Supply, catalog # 2BD-14628.

7.      Waste Disposal

Excess chlorinated solvents and all waste material containing chlorinated solvents must be placed in an unbreakable secondary container labeled with the following "HAZARDOUS WASTE CHLORINATED SOLVENTS ". Full containers of chlorinated solvents waste must be disposed of according to WFUHS EH&S Hazardous Waste Program.

8.      Decontamination of Equipment and Area

Contact WFUHS EH&S at 716-1221 for decontamination information.

9.      Spill and Accident Procedures

In the event of a liquid spill greater than 300 cc, immediately vacate and secure the area.  Contact WFUBMC Security at 716-9111.