These safety training resources, prepared solely for the use of the Regents of the University of California, were provided by a variety of sources. It is your responsibility to customize the information to match your specific operations. Neither the University of California nor any of its employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the University of California. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the University of California, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.
Chemical Use in Animal Research ● Standard Operating Procedures Lab Name
Carcinogens: Streptozotocin (STZ))
Date SOP Created: DRAFT 8/12/09
Instructions: Insert specific details pertaining to your research; contact EH&S or OLAC as needed for assistance.
Hazard information / Provide known hazards to humans and physical description, color, odor characteristics, etc. Example: STZ is an N-nitroso-containing compound that acts as a nitric oxide donor in pancreatic islets which induces death of insulin-secreting cells, producing an animal model of Type I diabetes. STZ is streptozotocin, (AKA streptozocin, or strep), and is the common reference for N-(Methylnitrosocarbamoyl)-a-D-glucosamine (Sigma Product S0130). It is a potent methylating agent for DNA. According to the MSDS, IT IS TOXIC, MAY CAUSE CANCER, MAY CAUSE HARM TO THE UNBORN CHILD, and MAY CAUSE HERITABLE GENETIC DAMAGE.Preparation / List procedures used to make the chemical solution. Be specific about the physical form (solid, liquid, etc.) and locations for work (bench top, fume hood, biosafety cabinet), and be very specific about personal protective equipment (PPE) to be worn when handling the material.
STZ is a solid which will be weighed in a balance placed in a fume hood in Room X on an absorbant pad. While in the fume hood, the solidwill be added to sterile deionized water to make a 10 mg/mL solution. This solution is diluted in sterile citrate buffer (10 mM, pH4.5) to create a 0.1 mg/mL solution. The diluted solution is sterilized through a 0.2 micron filter. Personnel preparing the STZ solution will wear nitrile gloves, a lab coat and protective glasses. The STZ solution will be stored in a glass vial with a teflon cap for transport to X. The gloves and the absorbant pad will be discarded into a double bagged toxic waste container, as described below. Hands will be washed. Include room number, use of fume hood, lab coat, nitrile gloves, wash hands after handling
Transportation /
Discuss the precautions that will be taken if the chemical is to be transported; if all work will be done within the same lab, this section is not applicable. Example: The vial with theSTZ solution will be placed in a secondary container (small cardboard or foam box with cover) and carried to the X with contact information.
Use / List specifics regarding use of the chemical. Include information regarding PPE and location of work. Example:Treatment of animals: syringes for subcutaneous injections will be loaded with injectable solution over a pad of absorbent paper in room X (within fumed hood). Personnel will wear a lab coat, eye protection and gloves.Disposal
If unsure, contact EH&S at 642-3073 to determine if chemical disposal is necessary for bedding, unused drinking water, and/or carcasses following treatment. / Include language describing the proper method for disposing of unwanted waste. This waste may include chemically contaminated materials from the preparation of solutions; in some cases bedding and waste from the animal needs to be handled as hazardous waste. Example:Waste will be disposed by EH&S by completing an electronic Material Packing List (eMPL) form available at and submit it to EH&S. The unused portions of injectable solutions will be brought back to Room X and unused stock solution will be disposed as liquid waste. Contaminated syringes and needles will be disposed immediately after use at NAF into appropriate sharps disposal containers marked for carcinogenic waste. A double-bagged “Toxic Waste” container will be clearly marked and kept at NAF for daily generated dry waste (gloves, wipes, protective paper, soiled cage bedding etc.). When full it will be returned to Room X until pickup by EH&S.
This section applies if there is evidence that animals could excrete carcinogen: the cage bedding should be changed by the researchers. Soiled bedding will be collected in a clearly labeled dry waste bag and held for disposal by EH&S. Used cages will be wiped inside with a wetted paper towel (towels discarded as hazardous waste) two times, then delivered to OLAC for automatic cage washing. Consult with EH&S and OLAC as needed.
Spill response and emergency procedures / Include a brief description of how an accidental spill will be handled. Example:Small amounts of dilute chemical should be readily absorbed by a spill pillow, paper towels or granular absorbent and immediately placed in a fume hood. Any waste generated should be disposed of through EH&S as chemical waste, see disposal section. A large spill of concentrated chemical can create a potentially dangerous level of airborne vapor. Absorbent material should be placed over the spill if possible and the lab should be evacuated of all personnel if necessary. For emergency clean up response or if there is an inhalation hazard, notify EH&S at 642-3073.
Hazard communication, signs, cage cards, etc. / All researchers handling this material will read and sign this document. When animals have been treated with STZ, cage cards will be labeled with the name of the carcinogen and the words “Cancer Agent” and this SOP should be posted in a plastic sleeve on the applicable cage rack or housing door to notify OLAC staff and other personnel. Also have the OLAC manager review and initial below prior to posting.
Unique instructions / Please include any special instructions here, if applicable.
Cage cards for animals treated with STZ should be clearly labeled with the chemical name and the warning “Potential Carcinogen”.
Additional information or references / Refer to the MSDS available at your lab’s chemical hygiene plan, or contact your supervisor or EH&S at 642-3073 for further guidance.
Additional guidance on handling STZ:
MSDS available:
Training documentation (name and date):
Office of Environment, Health & Safety ● ● 642-3073
OLAC Manager Initials/Date: ______Effective Dates: ______to ______
These safety training resources, prepared solely for the use of the Regents of the University of California, were provided by a variety of sources. It is your responsibility to customize the information to match your specific operations. Neither the University of California nor any of its employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the University of California. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the University of California, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
Office of Environment, Health & Safety ● ● 642-3073
OLAC Manager Initials/Date: ______Effective Dates: ______to ______