Technical information

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many of these are also available from the Internet ( click here
). The MSDS should be obtained
from the supplier when new chemicals are purchased.
• Based on the information in the MSDS and the way in which the chemical is to be used, the
research worker must be aware of the control methods that are required. These control methods
encompass storage, use, and any disposal methods other than the normal pick up of waste
chemicals by the MIT Safety Office. The research worker should review the safety data and
proposed control methods with the Laboratory Supervisor.
• Under the direction of the laboratory Supervisor, each worker in the laboratory is responsible for
proper storage, use, and disposal of all chemicals used by that worker, according to the control
methods established as described in above. Any worker accepting laboratory space accepts
responsibility for all chemicals in it. If other chemicals are found in the space, the Supervisor
should be informed immediately.
Accidents and spills:
• For emergency assistance dial 100.
• Plan ahead for spills - read the MSDS for the appropriate procedure, and have the necessary
equipment for cleanup and first aid on hand.
• Eye Contact: Promptly flush eyes with water for a prolonged period (15 minutes) and seek
medical attention.
• Ingestion: Contact the MIT Medical Department (phone 3-4481) to determine initial actions and
seek medical attention.
• Skin Contact: Promptly flush the affected area with copious amounts of water and remove any
contaminated clothing. Seek medical attention.
• Cleanup: Promptly clean up small chemical spills when appropriate expertise, protective apparel,
equipment and proper disposal resources are available to safely accomplish the task. For
emergency assistance dial 100 and report the incident to the Dispatcher. It is MIT policy that the
person who creates a spill is responsible for the cleanup.
• If you spill mercury, clean it up as quickly as possible by collecting the drops with a suction
aspirator. Vent the area well and do not let the mercury touch your skin: the metal and its vapor
are toxic. Sprinkling sulfur on the spilled mercury reduces the vapor pressure of mercury by
formation of a skin of sulfide, but the mercury must still be collected with an aspirator.
Avoidance of "routine" exposure:
• Avoid unnecessary exposure to chemicals by any route.
• Skin contact with chemicals should be avoided as a cardinal rule.
• Unless part of an approved protocol, do not smell or taste chemicals. Apparatus which may
discharge toxic vapors/gases (vacuum pumps, distillation columns, etc.) should be vented into
local exhaust devices.
• Inspect protective gloves for tears, pinholes, etc. before use.
• The Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) of OSHA and the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) of the
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists should not be routinely exceeded.
The MIT Environmental Medical Service can provide information on any established PELs and/or
TLVs.
• Prevent or minimize the release of toxic substances in cold rooms and warm rooms, since these
have contained recirculated atmospheres.
• Prevent or minimize the release of toxic vapors and gases in most biological safety cabinets since
these generally exhaust air directly to the laboratory through only a particulate filter.
• Reducing the potential for exposure to particularly hazardous chemicals can be achieved by
restricting the use of the material to a designated area equipped with the proper control devices.
This designated area can be a glove box, fume hood bench, or an entire laboratory depending on
the manipulations required. Particularly hazardous substances are stored, used, and prepared for
disposal only in designated areas.