In such circumstances, it is best to seek medical help instead of handling it on your own. Download a sulfuric acid handling and storage guide published by the Aetna Plastics company in PDF format,here. Sulfuric acid is ahighly corrosive chemicalthat is potentially explosive in concentrated form. Lower concentrations and smaller amounts can be safely disposed of by flushing in the toilet or pouring down the drain. Direct eye contact can result in blindness. How to dispose of empty chemical containers. Sulfuric acid smells like rotten eggs. High concentrations in air may make it difficult to breathe, especially for those with asthma or during strenuous exercise. Note: Many laboratory explosions have occurred from inappropriate mixing of wastes, such as mixing nitric acid . December 17, 2021 - Pictured here are two spill kits in a work environment. Boxes are available through Fisher. Overview. Chronic lung disease (bronchitis, fibrosis, emphysema), reduced lung function, and tooth decay have been reported occurred following occupational exposure to sulfuric acid. Once adequately rinsed, render the containers unsuitable for reuse by defacing the labels . Wash the glassware with tap water, and then rinse with distilled water. Put on heavy-duty rubber gloves and overalls to eliminate any chances of skin exposure to the acid. Take care not to spill any of the acid if you have to transfer it to a larger container. What are the safety precautions in the laboratory? All personal protective equipment should be safely designed and constructed, and should be maintained in a clean and reliable fashion. That was when someone informed me that it's not just flammable- but explosive- and that I should figure out how to dispose of it. If the acid has made contact with your skin, you will need to flush the exposed area with copious amounts of water. Deface all reused cardboard boxes. The storage area for chemical wastes in a laboratory should be: Close to the place where the waste is generated. It is important to usepersonal protective equipment, eye and face protection when working with sulfuric acid. If you pour water into the acid, it will undergo a harsh exothermic reaction and produce immense amounts of heat. Because this highly exothermic acid presentsserious storage challenges, learn how to handle and store sulfuric acid it safely before you buy it. Dilute It. If neutralizing agent is not available, cover the area with sand or earth to absorb the liquid and shovel into containers for disposal. Read more here. Because sulfuric acid is very corrosive (HAZMAT Class 8), learn how to avoid getting burned or killed, by reading about basic sulfuric acid safety precautions and how to use personal protective equipment (PPE). It is important to dispose of acids with very low pH (<2) safely. Glass test tubes must be discarded in the racks provided in the test-tube wastebasket located at the back of the lab. Any substance from a laboratory should be flushed with at least 100 times its own volume of tap water. Phenol may be fatal if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Do not adjust it. By making waste disposal a routine in every activity, students will develop a culture of concern for the environment and accept it as part of their responsibility. Dress for work in the laboratory. Gregory Cade, JD. Organochloride Container *Check pH of your waste, it should be between pH 4-10. This article was co-authored by Gregory Cade, JD. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. You should always wear the appropriate protective equipment to reduce these chances. Here is info about sulfuric acid poisoning. First, you could try reducing the picric acid to a non-explosive form using sodium . Check if the chemical is p-listed. Chemical Containers. The second chemical to consider is calcium carbonate. Please be aware that OSHA does not regulate the final disposal of regulated medical waste. Takesafety precautionsto avoid sulfuric acid leaks and spills and wear acid resistant protective clothing. Step 1 - Protect Yourself Beforehand. Gregory graduated with a BS in Natural Science and Mathematics with an emphasis in Chemistry and Biology and an MPH in Occupational Health, Safety, and Industrial Hygiene from The University of Alabama at Birmingham. For small sulfuric acid spills, cover the contaminated area with sodium bicarbonate or a mixture of soda ash/slaked lime (50/50) and mix. EH&S Recharge Rates. Learn about faceshield protection for sulfuric acid,here. If strong concentrations of gas or solution penetrate clothing, remove clothing and flush the skin with water. Theywill remain intact until it is reacted with other chemicals. Sulfuric Acid Respiratory ProtectionPeople that work with sulfuric acid arerequired to wear respiratorsin various workplaces throughout the United States. Do not scrub or rub your skin. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d3\/Dispose-of-Acid-Safely-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Dispose-of-Acid-Safely-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d3\/Dispose-of-Acid-Safely-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid39520-v4-728px-Dispose-of-Acid-Safely-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"