StandardOperatingProcedure

Chemicalname/class: / PerchloricAcid / CAS #:7601-90-3
PI: / Date:
Building: / Room#:

1. Circumstancesof Use:

This SOPmustbe customized foreach lab using PerchloricAcid.Usethis section to describethecircumstances ofuse,including concentration and quantity as well as identification of a designated work area.

2. PotentialHazards:

Perchloricacidcanbeirritatingtothe skin, eyes,andrespiratorytract.Contactwith exposed bodypartscan causepainful burns and even death.

It isnotrecommendedtopurchase anhydrous perchloric acid, asitis highlyexplosive.

Aqueousperchloricacidcancauseexplosions ifconcentratedtogreaterthanthenormally-availablecommercial concentrationof72%.

Neverheatperchloricacidina standardfumehood, becauseperchloratesmay accumulate intheductwork andcreate anexplosionhazardforemployeesservicing thehood. Ifyoususpectthat heated perchloricacid has been usedin a hood, contactEH&S beforehavingthehoodtestedor serviced.

Donotuseconcentrated (40%)perchloricacid inafume hood.

Donotuseperchlorates asdryingagentsifthereisanychanceofcontactwithorganic compoundsor a dehydratingacid strongenoughtoconcentratethe perchloricacid.

Currently,therearenoestablishedexposurelimitsfor perchloricacid.

3. EngineeringControls:

Workin a chemical fumehood(butdoNOT heatperchloric acidina standardchemicalfumehood).

Aneyewash/drenchhosecombinationunitmustbeavailable inthe immediateworkareaforanyworkwith corrosivematerials.

If largequantitieswill beused, orif perchloricacidwillbeheated, aspecial perchloric acidhoodwith water washdownsystemwillbenecessary. For largequantities,theremustbea safetyshowerin theimmediatearea.

4. Work PracticeControls:

Purchaseperchloricinthesmallestamountspracticable.Purchaseinshatter-resistant containersif available

(suchasPVC-coatedglass).

Setupadesignatedareafor perchloricaciduseandlabel itassuch.

Hotconcentratedsolutionsareextremelydangerous– heated perchloricacidactsasa strongoxidizingagent.

Donotuseperchlorates asdryingagentsifthereisanychanceofcontactwithorganic compoundsor a dehydratingacid strongenoughtoconcentratethe perchloricacid.

Onceworkwith perchloricacidiscomplete,decontaminate theareabywipingit downwith a10%sodium carbonate(Na2CO3,alsoknown as soda ash)solution.

Makesurethat flammableand/ororganicmaterials arenotlocatedintheworkarea.

5. Personalprotectiveequipment(PPE):

Wear afullybuttoned labcoatwith sleevesextendedto wrists,faceshieldwith safetygoggles,double nitrilegloves, longpants(orotherclothingcoveringtheentireleg), rubberapron, closed toed shoes.

6. Transportationand Storage:

Group III–Oxidizing Inorganic Acid

Storein well-ventilatedareas with secondarycontainment,suchasanon-reactiveplasticbin.

Storebeloweyelevel.

Storeperchloric acidawayfromincompatibles,includingorganicmaterials.(Donotstoreunderthe sink,in wooden cabinets,oronpaper-lined shelving.)

Transportchloroformin secondarycontainment, preferablya polyethyleneorothernon-reactive acid/solventbottlecarrier.

7. Waste Disposal:

Handle andstoreperchloricacid waste followingtheguidelinesabovewhileaccumulatingwastesandawaiting chemical wastepickup.Chemicalwaste mustbedisposedof followingUNC Charlotte’sLaboratoryChemical Waste Management practices

8. Exposures/Unintendedcontact:

Flush exposed eyesorskinwith water for atleast15minutes,then seekemergencymedical attention.

Call911fromacampus phoneor 704-687-2200 fromanyphonetorequestassistanceif needed.Contactthe Student Health Centerat704-687-7400for exposure-related advice.If theStudentHealth Centeris closed, obtaintreatmentatUniversityHospital.

Thework-relatedinjuryor illnessreportfoundat:

9. SpillProcedure:

Small spillsof perchloricacidcanbeneutralized byslowlypouringsodiumcarbonate (Na2CO3)orother appropriate inorganicneutralizingagent onthe spill.ThespillshouldNOTbewipedupwithorganicor combustiblematerials (papertowels, rags,etc)becauseperchloric acidisincompatiblewith thesematerials andwhentheydry,these materials canspontaneouslyignite.Transfer thismaterialtoacontainerofwaterfor disposal.A second neutralization,alongwithwiping/rinsingdownthe areawithasoapand water solutionis recommended.

On theUNCCharlottecampus, “large”spillsofperchloric acidmustbereferred to theCampus Policebycalling911 fromacampus phoneor 704-687-2200fromanyphone.

10.Trainingof personnel:

All personnelarerequiredtocompletetheUNC CharlotteEHSLaboratoryEnvironment TrainingChecklist.This checklistincludesanintroductiontogeneral chemicalsafetyaswell as reviewof thelaboratoryspecificsafetyplan. Furthermore,all personnelshall readandfullyadhereto this SOP when handlingthechemical.

“I have read and understand this SOP. I agree to fully adhere to its requirements.”

Last / First / UNC Charlotte ID / Signature