Standard Operating Procedure
Settlement Class: Acutely Toxic Gases
NH3, AsF5, AsH3, BCl3, BF3, CO, C2N2, NCCl, Cl2, H2CN2, B2H6, F2, GeH4,
C12H30O13P4, HBr, HCl, HF, H2S, H2Se, CH3SH, NO, NO2, N2O4, OF2, OCl2,
PH3, PF5, SeF6, SiF4, SbH3, SF4,
Print a copy and insert into your
Laboratory Safety Manual and Chemical Hygiene Plan.
Date SOP was written: / 1/8/2013 /
Date SOP was approved by PI/lab supervisor: / 1/13/2013
Principal Investigator: / Richmond Sarpong /
Internal Lab Safety Coordinator/Lab Manager: / Rebecca Murphy /
Lab Phone: / 510-643-2485 /
Office Phone: / 510-643-6312 /
Emergency Contact: / Richmond Sarpong, 626-644-2407 /
(Name and Phone Number)
Location(s) covered by this SOP: / Latimer Hall: 834, 836, 837, 838, 839, 842, 847, 849, 907 /
(Building/Room Number)
Type of SOP: Process Hazardous Chemical Hazardous Class
Purpose
This is a chemical class SOP. Some uses of the chemicals in this class require specific SOPs. Chemical-specific SDSs and all relevant SOPs must be reviewed prior to use of any chemical in this class.
The following toxic gases are listed in the Settlement Agreement:
Chemical Name/Formula / CAS# / Chemical Name/Formula / CAS#Ammonia NH3 / 7664-41-7 / Arsenic pentafluoride AsF5 / 7784-36-3
Arsine AsH3 / 7784-42-1 / Boron trichloride BCl3 / 10294-34-5
Boron trifluoride BF3 / 7637-07-2 / Carbon monoxide CO / 630-08-0
Cyanogen C2N2 / 460-19-5 / Cyanogen chloride NCCl / 506-77-4
Chlorine Cl2 / 7782-50-5 / Diazomethane H2CN2 / 334-88-3
Diborane B2H6 / 19287-45-7 / Fluorine F2 / 7782-41-4
Germane GeH4 / 7782-65-2 / Hexaethyltetraphosphate C12H30O13P4 / 757-58-4
Hydrogen bromide HBr / 10035-10-6 / Hydrogen Chloride HCl / 7647-01-0
Hydrogen fluoride HF / 7664-39-3 / Hydrogen sulfide H2S / 7783-06-4
Hydrogen selenide H2Se / 7783-07-5 / Methyl mercaptan CH3SH / 74-93-1
Nitric oxide NO / 10102-43-9 / Nitrogen dioxide NO2 / 10102-44-0
Nitrogen tetroxide N2O4 / 10544-72-6 / Oxygen difluoride OF2 / 7783-41-7
Phosgene OCl2 / 75-44-5 / Phosphine PH3 / 75-45-5
Phosphorous pentafluoride PCl5 / 7641-19-0 / Selenium hexafluoride SeF6 / 7783-79-1
Stibine SbH3 / 7803-52-3 / Sulfur tetrafluoride SF4 / 7783-60-0
Trimethylsilyldiazomethane (CH3)3SiCHN2 / 18107-18-1
Potential Hazards/Toxicity
Before working with any Acutely Toxic Gases, review the UC-Berkeley EH&S publication Toxic Gas Program (2011).
There is a broad spectrum of toxic compressed gases. Increased recognition of the hazards associated with the transportation, operation, and storage of these gases is essential. Toxic gases are gases that may cause significant acute health effects at low concentrations. Health effects may include severe skin or eye irritation, pulmonary edema, neurotoxicity, or other potentially fatal conditions.
Engineering Controls
NOTE: Lab-specific information on engineering controls may be included in the Protocol/Procedure section.
Work with acutely toxic gases should be conducted in a fume hood unless other controls are designated in the lab-specific Protocol/Procedure section. Sash height should be kept low to avoid escaping fumes and provide a physical barrier.
The publication Toxic Gas Program (2011) describes the many requirements applicable to the safe handling and use of acutely toxic gases. Topics included in the publication are definitions, roles/responsibilities, purchase approval process, receiving, storage, fundamental handling requirements and disposal.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
NOTE:Lab-specific information on PPE selection may be included in the Protocol/Procedure section.
Respiratory protection
NOTE: Lab personnel intending to use/wear a respirator mask must be trained and fit-tested by EH&S. This is a regulatory requirement.
Respirators should be used only under any of the following circumstances:
- As a last line of defense (i.e., after engineering and administrative controls have been exhausted).
- When Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) has exceeded or when there is a possibility that PEL will be exceeded.
- Regulations require the use of a respirator.
- An employer requires the use of a respirator.
- There is potential for harmful exposure due to an atmospheric contaminant (in the absence of PEL)
- As PPE in the event of a chemical spill clean-up process
Hand Protection
Handle with 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: Lab-specific and chemical-specific information on glove selection may be included in the Protocol/Procedure section. Refer to glove selection from the link below:
For glove selection, go to:
Eye Protection
Tightly fitting safety goggles. Use face shield (8-inch minimum) when appropriate (not protected by fume hood sash for example). Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU) or ANSI Z87.1.
Skin and Body Protection
Long pants, closed-toed and closed-heeled shoes, cotton-based clothing/attire, and lab coat must be worn for protecting against chemical hazards.
Hygiene Measures
Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice. Wash hands before breaks and at the end of workday.
First Aid Procedures
Notify supervisor and EH&S immediately. Follow up with a call to 510-642-9090 to report the incident.
If inhaled
Move person into fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. Immediately consult a physician.
In case of skin contact
Take off contaminated clothing immediately. Wash off with soap and plenty of water for 15 minutes. Take victim immediately to hospital. Consult a physician.
In case of eye contact
Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water using an eyewash station for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting the upper and lower eyelids. Get medical aid immediately.
If swallowed
Do not induce vomiting unless specified otherwise in the SDS. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Rinse mouth with water. Consult a physician.
Special Handling and Storage Requirements
NOTE:Lab-specific information on handling and storage may be included in the Protocol/Procedure section.
Working alone
Certain extremely hazardous operations should not be performed if the PI or Lab Safety Contact(s) are not present. Never work alone with extremely hazardous materials/operations. See the Protocol/Procedure section below for specific prohibitions (if any) on working alone.
Storage
It is essential that all acutely toxic gases be stored separately from all chemicals with which they may react. Ensure segregation of incompatible chemicals per guidance within EH&S guidelines. Also, follow any substance-specific storage guidance provided in Safety Data Sheet (SDS) documentation.
Spill and Accident Procedure
Chemical Release Dial 911
Accidental Release – Help contaminated or injured persons. Evacuate the release area. Avoid breathing vapors. Eliminate sources of ignition. Keep others from entering this area (e.g., use caution tape, barriers, etc.). Notify supervisor and EH&S immediately. Follow up with a call to 510-642-9090
Contact with body or clothes – Remove clothing and rinse body thoroughly in emergency shower for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention.Notify supervisor and EH&S immediately. Follow up with a call to 510-642-9090
Contact with Eyes – Immediately rinse eyeball and inner surface of eyelid with water for 15 minutes using an eyewash station by forcibly holding the eye open. Seek medical attention.Notify supervisor and EH&S immediately. Follow up with a call to 510-642-9090
Medical Emergency Dial 911
Life Threatening Emergency, After Hours, Weekends And Holidays – Dial 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Note: All serious injuries must be reported to EH&S within 8 hours. Follow up with a call to 510-642-9090 to report the incident.
Non-Life Threatening Emergency – Go to the Occupational Health Facility (Tang Health Center). After hours go to the nearest emergency room. Note: All serious injuries must be reported to EH&S within 8 hours. Follow up with a call to 510-642-9090 to report the incident.
Needle stick/punctureexposure (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. Go to the Occupational Health Facility (Tang Health Center). After hours go to the nearest emergency room. Note: All needle stick/puncture exposures must be reported to EH&S within 8 hours. Follow up with a call to 510-642-9090 to report the incident.
Decontamination/Waste Disposal Procedure
NOTE:Lab-specific information on decontamination/waste disposal may be included in the Protocol/Procedure section.
All lines or ducts carrying purged or exhausted emissions of gases must be connected to a mechanical exhaust system that discharges to a safe location (i.e., presents no potential for re-entrainment into any building supply air intake or occupied area). Construction of the exhaust ducts shall be chemically resistant to degradation by the gas in use. Significant emissions of corrosive or toxic gases require an emission control device (e.g., scrubber, flare device, adsorbent) before the purged gas can be vented into the exhaust duct system (refer to UCB publication Toxic Gas Program (2011)).
General hazardous waste disposal guidelines:
Label Waste
Wasteshouldbeplacedina chemicallycompatible containerwitha sealed lidandclearly labeled.Labelallcontainers withthelabelprovidedat See theEH&SFactSheet,“HazardousWaste Management”forgeneralinstructionsonprocedures fordisposingofhazardouswaste.
Dispose of Waste
- Dispose of regularly generated chemical waste within 6 months
- Call EH&S for questions
Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Location
SDS can be accessed online at
Acutely Toxic Gases
SOP Template developed by The UC Center for Laboratory Safety1/2/2013
Documentation of Training (signature and initials of all users is required)
- Prior to conducting any work with Acutely Toxic Gases, designated personnel must provide training to his/her laboratory personnel specific to the hazards involved in working with the specific chemical(s) used, work area decontamination, and emergency procedures.
- The Principal Investigator must provide his/her laboratory personnel with a copy of this SOP and a copy of the SDS provided by the manufacturer.
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Acutely Toxic Gases
SOP Template developed by The UC Center for Laboratory Safety1/2/2013