Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's):

Please click on the letter of the SOP you would like to read about

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXZ

A

• Adding Acid to Water
• Agarose Gel
• Animals on University Property (PSU Policy)
• Ashing Dried Samples
• Autoclave

B

• Biohazardous Materials in Research and Instruction (PSU Policy)

• Bomb Threats (PSU Policy)

• Burning Field Crops

C

• Chemical Building

• Chemical Spills
• Coldroom - Main Building
• Coldroom - Rock Springs
• Coldroom - Tower Road Headhouse
• Compressed Gas Cylinders (PSU Policy)

D

• Desiccant

• Disposal of Broken Glassware, Sharps, Needles & Syringes

• Drain Disposal of Waste Chemicals, Guidelines (PSU Policy)

E

• Emergencies Involving Students (PSU Policy)

• Emergency Response - Main Building, Rock Springs, Oats Lab, Tower Road Headhouse

• Emergency Response - Persons, other than PSU students or PSU employees, who are injured or become ill on University property (PSU Policy)

• Ethidium Bromide

• Ethidium Bromide (USDA-ARS)

F

• FAA (Formaldehyde - Acetic Acid - Alchohol)

• First Aid

• First Aid Kits - PSU Policy

• First Aid Response Team

• Flammable Liquids (PSU Policy)

• Forklift

• Formaldehyde

G

• Gloves, laboratory

• Gloves, work

• Greenhouse Etiquette

• Grinding Room and Filter Unit Cleanup

H

• Halogen Lamps (PSU Policy)

I

• Identification Decals (for handicapped individuals requestion assistance) (PSU Policy)

• Infectious Waste Disposal (PSU Policy)

• Iron Oxide

K

• Kjeldahl Method

• Kjeldahl Soil Digests, Post Digestion Treatment

L

• Lock-Out Tag-Out

M

• Mehlich III, Phosphate Analysis

• Mercury

N

• New Employee Safety Orientation

O

• Olsen Reagent

• Open Fires (PSU Policy)

P

• PCR

• Personal Protective Equipment

R

• Recycling Effort

• Refrigerators - Explosion Proof (PSU Policy)

• Root Ashing

S

• Stachybotrys

• Student Employee Policy

T

• Tractors

U

• Unsupervised Reactions

• UV Light

W

• Waste Chemical Building

• Waste Chemical Collection

• Weapons and Fireworks Policy (PSU Policy)

• Welding - University Park

• Wood Shop

Never add Water to Acid, an extreme exothermic chemical reaction will occur.

1. Fill a container with ice from the ice machine in the growth chamber room in the basement.
2. Place the ice container into the sink.
3. Fill the ice container with cold water.
4. Place the Pyrex container of water into the ice bath.
5. Make sure the level of the ice bath does not cause the container to tip.
6. Wear gloves.
7. Gradually pour acid liquid into the Pyrex container.
8. Swirl container in ice bath to cool the chemical reaction.
9. Continue to pour acid slowly, allowing solution to cool as needed.

Alternate Method

1.  Place a secondary container into the sink, fill it with cold tap water.
2.  Place the Pyrex container of water into the container of water.
3.  Make sure the level of the cold water bath does not cause the Pyrex container to tip.
4.  Run tap water continuously into the secondary container to cool the reaction.
5.  Wear gloves.
6.  Follow from # 6 in the above directions.

17 March 1999

1. Weigh 2.1 g agarose & add 150 ml TBE 0.5x, dissolve in microwave.
2. When completely dissolved, place flask in waterbath and reduce temp to 50°C.
3. Level mold, pour agarose into mold, set & center combs, allow gel to set (15 min).
4. Remove combs.  Remove gel holder from mold base and put into gel box.
5. Move holder around to completely cover gel surface with liquid.
6. Write down what you’re doing in the lab notebook.
7. Load primers (18 ul), leaving ladder wells empty.
8. Load ladders (5 ul).
9. Put cover on gel box, check red and black connections, having gels moving towards the red end.  Check bubbles at the black end.
10. Turn on power, check time (1 hr 30 min) and set voltage (120).
11. When gel cycle is finished turn off power and remove gel box lid.

15 March 1999

1. Receive training from your supervisor or safety officer.
2. Place containers of liquids into secondary containers to avoid spills.
3. Do Not seal liquid containers tightly, explosion will result.
4. Close door tightly to avoid steam leaks.
5. Select cycle to sterilize items.
6. Push cycle number button twice to start autoclave.
7. Follow instructions on message pad to safely open the autoclave.
8. Allow steam to escape before removing sterilized items.
9. Never put hands or arms into the autoclave before steam has escaped.  Severe burns will result.
10. Allow autoclave to automatically Shut-Down.
11. Contact your supervisor or safety officer if there are any problems with the autoclave, i.e. low steam pressure, steam leaks, burns, turning on, turning off, etc.

14 December 1998

Ronald R. Schnabel and Dennis Genito

 The purpose of this document is to outline the procedures to be followed during any experimental burning activity conducted by employees of USDA-ARS, University Park, PA.  The primary goal is to promote the safety of everyone involved.

1.  Pre-burn preparations

 Prior to a burn, the fire department of the township in which the burn will take place should be notified of the date and time of the burn.  When burning is to take place at Rock Springs, Larry Jordan, manager of the Agricultural Research Farm (814-692-8698), should also be notified.  In addition, Steve Triebold, Penn State Fire Protection Engineer (814-865-6391), should be notified.  USDA-ARS should confer with Steve Triebold to verify that weather conditions are safe for burning.  Unsafe conditions for a burn are defined here as:

Winds greater than 20 miles per hour, and
Winds of greater than 20 miles per hour blowing in the direction of any of the buildings at Rock Springs.

 A first aid kit and portable fire blanket should be at the site of a burn to aid victims in the case of an accident.

2.  Burn procedure

 Before a fire is started, there should be one employee with a hose on each side of the plot, for a total of four hoses.  The hoses allow employees to extinguish any errant flames while maintaining a safe distance from the fire (20 feet).

 All fires should be started using a small propane tank fitted with a long-necked (i.e., approximately 2-3 ft. long) fuel delivery nozzle.  This will minimize the exposure to the flame of the body and clothing of personnel.  Only one person should be in charge of starting the fire.  Employees with hoses can watch to make sure that the employee starting the fire does not come into contact with the flame.

 While a fire is burning, employees (including those with hoses) are to maintain a safe distance from the flames.  At no time should an employee enter the fire.  If the fire gets out of control, all employees should retreat from the flames, and one employee should call the local fire department.

 When a fire has burned out, employees with hoses should examine the edges and interior of the burned plot to make sure that all traces of flame and burning embers have been extinguished.  As a final safeguard, burned plots should be soaked with water before employees leave the area.

3.  Protective Clothing

 All employees involved in burning activities should wear proper protective clothing.  This includes safety glasses, work gloves, and steel-toed shoes.  The safety officer at USDA-ARS can provide safety glasses, and will provide suggestions about where to purchase gloves and shoes.

The following message is intended for any lab workers using chloroform.  The source is the Occupational Safety unit of Lockheed Martin Idaho Technologies Company which operates a national lab in Idaho.  Please be certain that all lab workers using chloroform in your unit or facility are aware of this important issue.

Title: YELLOW - Phosgene Generated from Chloroform

Identifier: INEEL Lessons Learned # 98247
Date: May 25,1998

Lessons Learned Statement:

Phosgene can be generated from chloroform.  Chloroform stabilized with alcohol should be purchased, and the chemical should be treated as time-sensitive.  An industrial hygienist should be contacted before using a container of chloroform that is six months old or older.

Discussion of Activities:

Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles were using a three-year-old bottle of chloroform.  They noticed that the people working with the chloroform were becoming quite ill.  Subsequent analysis showed concentrations of 15,000 ppm of phosgene in the head space of the bottle and a 1.1% concentration of phosgene in the bulk solution.  Exposure to 20 ppm for 1-2 minutes can cause severe lung injury and 570 ppm for 1 minute can cause death.  The chloroform was stored properly and was stabilized with amylene. (Note: Chloroform comes in three basic varieties: a) no stabilizer present, b) stabilized with amylene, and c) stabilized with an alcohol such as ethanol.)

A search of the literature has shown that the generation of phosgene from chloroform was a well-known phenomenon 50-100 years ago when chloroform was used as an anesthetic.  Evidently, the generation of phosgene from chloroform has since been forgotten since there are no warnings on material safety data sheets for chloroform, including chloroform that has not been stabilized.

Recommended Actions:

1. Unless program requirements prohibit it, chloroform that is stabilized with alcohol should be purchased in the future.  Alcohol is usually added in greater concentrations than amylene so it provides better protection from phosgene generation.  Also, there is evidence that amylene may not prevent phosgene generation.

2.  Chloroform should be treated as a time-sensitive chemical.  This is especially true of chloroform that is either not stabilized or is stabilized with amylene.

3.  An industrial hygienist should be contacted before using a container of chloroform that is six months old or older so that they can test for the presence of phosgene.

References: Chemical & Engineering News, March 2, 1998

Chloroform should always be stored in a dark place.  The 1995 edition of Prudent Practices in the Laboratory  states (p. 283): "In the presence of light, chloroform undergoes autoxidation to generate phosgene; this can be minimized by storing this substance in the dark under nitrogen.  Commercial samples of chloroform frequently contain 0.5 to 1% ethanol as a stabilizer."

There is a fairly easy test for phosgene using a home made test paper.

"Paper soaked in alcoholic solution containing 10% of a mixture of equal parts of p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde and colorless diphenyamine, then dried, will turn from yellow to deep orange in the presence of approximately the maximum allowable concentration of phosgene."  The permissible exposure limit for phosgene is 0.1 parts per million (p.p.m.), so this is a fairly sensitive test.  This test paper is faily inexpensive to make:
 p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde --Sigma # D 2004; 25 g., $8.85; diphenyamine--Sigma # D 2385; 5 g., $13.50, 25 g. $50.35.

It is recommended that anyone using chloroform test their available supplies before using them again, especially if the chloroform bottle has been open for more than three months.  This procedure must be conducted in a fume hood while double gloving with heavier weight disposable nitrile gloves or viton gloves.  Hold the test paper near the mouth of the container as it is opened to see if there is any phosgene in the head space of the container.  If phosgene is detected is is not advisable to continue using the material.  Label the container with an Cornell EH&S waste label, noting that the chloroform is contaminated with phosgene, and make arrangements for it to be disposed of as hazardous waste. Note that chloroform is a listed hazardous waste and that it is highly illegal to dispose of chloroform by allowing it to evaporate in a fume hood as this is considered an illegal release of a hazardous waste to the environment, the air in this case. It may be possible for a skilled chemist to remove the phosgene from the solution with chloroform and then redistill the chloroform, but this is not recommended.  If you have any questions concerning these procedures please feel free to contact me at 255-8849.

Chloroform is only moderately toxic, but it is an irritant, a narcotic, a heptotoxin, a nephrotoxin and it is a listed carcinogen.  The permissible exposure limit for chloroform 2 p.p.m.  The odor threshold is 200 p.p.m. for most people.  If you can smell chloroform when you are using it, there is a good chance are you are being overexposed.  Since it is a listed human carcinogen, it is recommended that it be handled in a manner which will reduce exposures to as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA).  It should always  be used in a fume hood, with the appropriate personal protective equipment.  I have seen quite a bit of benchtop use of chloroform and this is not good practice.  Also, any significant  use of chloroform requires a written standard operating procedure per the Lab Standard and the Chemical Hygiene Plan.

If you have chloroform in your lab and you are not actively using this material, it would be wise to have it taken away as hazardous waste.  If you do need chloroform for a protocol in use, stock only what you can use in three months or less.  Set up a "just-in-time" purchasing policy and purchase the smallest container size that is practical.  Keep waste bottles tightly capped and stored in a ventilated storage cabinet or, at last resort, in a fume  hood.   It would also be good to look for a less hazardous substitute for chloroform, if possible.

Absolutely No Food will be stored in this room.

ABSOLUTELY NO WATER SAMPLES ARE TO BE STORED IN THIS COLDROOM.

This coldroom is to be used ONLY for seed storage.  It is imperative that this room is kept DRY.
 

• Keep aisles clear of debris, samples & boxes.
• Label all containers with scientists name and the date it was put into storage.
• Inspect containers for rodent damage.
• If rodent traps are not in this room, please contact the facility manager.
• Report problems with this cold room to your supervisor, facility manager, or safety officer immediately.

24 March 1999

ABSOLUTELY No Food will be stored in this room.

Absolutely No Water or Soil Samples are to be stored on top 2 shelves.

• Keep all boxes of samples on lower shelves.
• Keep aisles clear of debris, samples & boxes.
• Dispose of wet cardboard boxes, prevent mold & mildew problems from developing.
• Label all samples or containers of samples with scientists name.
• Report problems with this cold room (temperature, mechanical, space, water on the floor, etc.) to your Supervisor, the main office, facility manager, or safety officer immediately.
• This is not supposed to be long-term storage of forage or water sample material.
• Shelf space has not been assigned, but that is a possibility if space is not utilized efficiently.
• Please process samples in a timely manner.

24 March 1999

Absolutely No Food will be stored in this room.

ABSOLUTELY NO WATER SAMPLES ARE TO BE STORED IN THIS COLDROOM.

This coldroom is to be used ONLY for seed storage.  It is imperative that this room is kept DRY.

Keep aisles clear of debris, samples & boxes.
Label all containers with scientists name and the date it was put into storage.
Inspect containers for rodent damage.
If rodent traps are not in this room, please contact the facility manager.
Report problems with this cold room to your supervisor, facility manager, or safety officer immediately.

24 March 1999

Desiccant materials are often used in sampling procedures and must be prepared before use.

To prepare Silica  and Dririte Desiccant:

1. Collect exhausted silica or Dririte in a container suitable to heat in an oven
2. Place the container into an oven preheated to approximately 212° F
3. Make sure the lid & base of the desiccator have a good seal, clean and replace grease as needed
4. If the temperature is too high it will create a strong vacuum in the sealed glass desiccator, making it more difficult to open
5. Do not try to open desiccator by prying lid with objects, the cover should slip easily if it has been prepared correctly
6. Heat desiccant until indicator changes color
7. Move container of recharged desiccant into a desiccator
8. Only put the lid of the desiccator onto the counter top if it is upside-down
9. Allow desiccant to cool until the lid of the dessicator is cool to the touch
10. Quickly transfer cooled recharged desiccant into the vessel it which it will be used

Silica may be recharged indefinitely.  Dririte has a limited recharge ability before the outer surface sloughs off.

17 March 1999

Ethidium Bromide is a dangerous mutagen.  Extreme caution should be employed in the event of a spill.  Double gloves, Lab coat, and goggles must be worn before attempting to clean up any spill.  Report All Spills To Your Supervisor Immediately!!

1. Place absorbent materials (paper-towels or spill kit gauze) on top of contaminated area.

2. Remove used absorbent materials and place in Biohazards bag for disposal as toxic waste.

3. Clean contaminated area with detergent (i.e. Alconox)  Do Not use bleach! as this will break down the ethidium bromide making it potentially more toxic.

4. Dry the area with paper-towels and place them in the biohazard bag for disposal.

5. Remove gloves and dispose in biohazard areas wash hands and other affected areas thoroughly.

17 March 1999

Employers who use forklifts and other industrial trucks at their work sites will have to provide thorough initial training to truck operators and refresher training every three years under a final Occupational Safety and Health Administration rule published Dec. 1 (63 FR 66238).

Effective March 1, 1999, the final rule covers a vast array of industries, including construction, maritime, longshoring, shipyards, and general industry, according to the Federal Register notice.

The final rule affects some 1.5 million workers who operate a variety of powered industrial trucks used to carry, push, pull, lift, stack, or tier material.  The rule does not cover vehicles used for earth moving or over-the-road hauling, according to OSHA.

Accidents involving forklifts and other industrial trucks kill more than 100 employees and cause more than 94,000 injuries each year, OSHA said in the rule.

Refresher Training Required

Employers must develop training programs or hire an outside consultant to provide the required training, under the rule.

The rule requires employers to provide training in the proper operation of the vehicle; hazards of operating the truck in the workplace; and the specific requirements of the OSHA forklift training rule.

Refresher training is triggered when a triennial evaluation or workplace change indicates that it is necessary, OSHA said.

Employers also are required to provide refresher training if:

· An employee operating the vehicle is in an accident or a near-miss incident;
· An employee is observed driving in an unsafe manner; is determined during an evaluation to need additional training; or
· In response to changes in the workplace or in the type of truck used by the operator.

Overall, smaller companies are more likely to be affected by the new standard than large organizations, according to Bill Montweiler, executive director of the International Trucking Association.

Full text of the standard can be found in the Federal Register (1998),OSHA website.

Measure and combine all chemicals in a general chemistry exhaust hood.  Wear gloves.

10 November 1999

Please contact the manufacturers of your gloves for more specific information related to your gloves.
The following guide is developed on information provided by the Harbrace College Handbook.

Acetic Acid:  nitrile gloves (incidental contact); neoprene or butyl rubber gloves are recommended if contact with acetic acid above 10% is probable for an extended period of time

Acetic anhydride:  double glove with heavier weight (8 mil) nitrile gloves (incidental contact)

Acetic anhydride is very corrosive to human tissues (skin, eyes, and mucus membranes) and a poison by inhalation.  For handling larger quantities of pur material only heavier weight (.28-.33 mm) butyl rubber or neoprene gloves are recommended

Acetone:  heavier weight (8 mil) natural rubber (incidental contact); for extended contact with acetone the only recommended glove type is butyl rubber

If you are cleaning parts with acetone, or have any other use of acetone where there is more than incidental contact, you must use butyl rubber gloves.  natural rubber gloves have about a 10-minute breakthrough time and are for incidental contact only.  Nitrile gloves have a less than 4-minute breakthrough time and are not recommended for any use of acetone.

Acetonitrile:  nitrile gloves or double glove with nitrile gloves (incidental contact)

For transfer of acetonitrile or for large-scale use, only heavier weight butyl rubber or polyvinyl acetate gloves are recommended.  Acetonitrile permeates through disposable latex exam gloves in a matter of seconds and latex gloves should never be used to handle this material.

Acrylamide: nitrile gloves or double glove with nitrile gloves (incidental contact); butyl rubber gloves are recommended for extended contact (such as repackaging pure acrylamide into smaller containers)

Acrylamide is readily absorbed through unbroken skin.  Acrylamide is a carcinogen, mutagen, teratogen and a potent neurotoxin with no known antidote, so adequate hand protection is essential when using this chemical.  Note that once acrylamide solutions are polymerized the resulting gels are no longer hazardous and, assuming that they are not contaminated with other hazardous materials, they may be disposed of in the ordinary trash.

Note:  See Heavy Metal Salts for proper disposal of gloves and other dry waste contaminated with acrylamide.

bis- Acrylamide:  nitrile gloves

bis-Acrylamide (N,N'-dihydroxy-ethylene-bis- acrylamide) does not share the more extreme toxic characteristics of acrylamide.  However, its toxicological properties have not been fully investigated and it should be treated as a hazardous material.

Carbon tetrachloride: double glove with heavier weight (8 mil) nitrile gloves (incidental contact) or use 15 mil or heavier nitrile gloves; remove outer glove at once if exposed to carbon tetrachloride

Most nitrile gloves have a breakthrough time of only a few minutes and thus offer little protection when exposed to carbon tetrachloride.   For operations involving the use of larger amounts of carbon tetrachloride, when transferring carbon tetrachloride from one container to another or for other potentially extended contact, the only  gloves recommended are viton.  Viton gloves are expensive, but they are the standard glove to use with carbon tetrachloride.

Carbon tetrachloride is a poison, carcinogen, mutagen and a teratogen. It is readily absorbed through unbroken skin.  Alcohol and acetone are know to enhance the toxicity of carbon tetrachloride.  The dose required to cause poisoning in humans varies significantly with the ingestion of as little as 2 ml. having caused death.  Carbon tetrachloride is also a substantial ozone-depleting chemical and its use has been banned commercially.  If you can find a substitute for carbon tetrachloride it is strongly recommended that you use an alternative material.

Chloroform:  double glove with heavier weight (8 mil) nitrile gloves (incidental contact) or use 15 mil or heavier nitrile gloves; remove outer glove at once if exposed to chloroform.

Nitrile gloves have a 4-minute breakthrough time and thus offer little protection when exposed to chloroform.  For operations involving the use of larger amounts of chloroform, such as transferring chloroform from one container to another or for large-scale extractions, etc., the only gloves recommended are viton or polyvinyl acetate (PVA).  Viton gloves are expensive, but they are the standard gloves to use with chloroform.

Cobalt Chloride:  See Heavy Metal Salts.

Copper (Cupric) Sulfate:  nitrile gloves

3,3'-Diaminobenzidine (DBA):  nitrile gloves (incidental contact); double glove with nitrile gloves when handling the pure material or concentrated stock solutions

Note:  See Heavy Metal Salts for proper disposal of gloves and other dry waste contaminated with DBA.

Dichloromethane:  See Methylene Chloride

Diethyl pyrocarbonate:  nitrile gloves (incidental contact); double glove with nitrile gloves when handling the pure material or concentrated stock solutions

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO):  heavier weight natural rubber gloves (15-18 mil; not  4 mil latex exam gloves) (incidental contact);  butyl rubber gloves are recommended for extended contact; if you are allergic to natural latex products you may double glove with heavier weight (8 mil) disposable nitrile gloves (incidental contact) or use 15 mil or heavier nitrile gloves; remove outer glove at once if exposed to DMSO.

Nitrile gloves are not  recommended for use with DMSO if extended contact with the hands is expected.  Some brands of nitrile gloves have degradation times of five minutes when used with DMSO.  DMSO freely penetrates the skin and may carry dissolved chemicals with it into the body, so hand protection is especially important if you are working with any hazardous materials dissolved in DNSO.

1,4-Dioxane (dioxane): double glove with heavier weight (8 mil) nitrile gloves (incidental contact) or use 15 mil or heavier nitrile gloves; remove outer glove at once if exposed to dioxane

Most nitrile gloves have a breakthrough time of only a few minutes and thus offer little protection when exposed to dioxane.   For operations involving the use of larger amounts of dioxane, when transferring dioxane from one container to another or for other potentially extended contact, the only gloves recommended are butyl rubber gloves.  Dioxane is one of the few commonly used lab chemicals that readily degrade viton gloves.

Dioxane is only moderately toxic, but it is a listed carcinogen, mutagen and a teratogen.  It is readily absorbed through unbroken skin so hand protection is especially important when working with this material.

Dithiothreitol:  (Cleland's Reagent):  nitrile gloves

Ethanol:  nitrile gloves

Ethidium bromide:  (EtBr):  nitrile gloves (incidental contact); double glove with nitrile gloves when handling the pure material or concentrated stock solutions

Note:  See Heavy Metal Salts for proper disposal of gloves and other dry waste contaminated with EtBr

Ethyl Ether (diethyl ether, ether): double glove with heavier weight (8 mil) nitrile gloves (incidental contact) or use 15 mil or heavier nitrile gloves; remove outer glove at once if exposed to ether

Ether is one of those chemicals that attacks almost all known commonly used glove materials.  It permeates through viton, butyl rubber, neoprene, nitrile and natural rubber in a matter of minutes.  The only recommended glove material for extended contact is polyvinyl acetate (PVA), such as the PVA brand made by Ansell Edmont.

Formaldehyde:  nitrile gloves

Formamide:  nitrile gloves (incidental contact); butyl rubber gloves are the only gloves recommended for direct contact with the pure material

Formamide is often used in the pure form.  If you use pure formamide in a procedure where there is probable contact with the skin, it is strongly recommended that you wear butyl rubber gloves

Formic acid:  double glove with heavier weight (8 mil) nitrile gloves (incidental contact)

Formic acid is very corrosive to human tissues (skin, eyes, and mucus membranes).  For handling larger quantities of pure material only heavier weight (.28-.33 mm) butyl rubber or neoprene gloves are recommended

Heavy Metal Salts (especially those that are easily soluble in water):  nitrile gloves or double glove in some cases*

For most inorganic (ionic) salts of heavy metals the human skin is usually an effective barrier against absorption of the heavy metal ions.  If there are cracks in the skin, areas of inflammation, insect bites, cuts or other breaches of the integrity of the skin, heavy metal ions may be passed directly through the skin.  The salts of many heavy metals are toxic or highly toxic and rated as poisons:  arsenic, bismuth, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, lead, mercury, nickel, osmium and uranium.  Some of these materials are also listed as corrosive (chromium trioxide), inhalation hazard (osmium tetroxide), known or suspect carcinogens and mutagens (lead and lead salts, mercury and its salts, etc.) or radioactive (uranium).  Disposable nitrile gloves are generally acceptable for the use of the pure slats and stock (concentrated) or dilute solutions for the common salts of the above metals (acetates, chlorides, sulfates, nitrates, anhydrides, oxides, hydroxides, etc.) where only incidental contact will be made with these materials or their solutions.

The skin more easily absorbs several heavy metal salts than others.  Osmium tetroxide is readily absorbed by the skin and is very toxic.  Lead acetate is absorbed 1-1/2 times more easily than other lead salts.  Mercuric chloride can be absorbed fairly easily, especially if there are cracks, cuts or other breaks in the skin.  It is also very toxic.  It is recommended to *double glove) with nitrile gloves when using these materials, especially when handling the pure compounds or their strong solutions.

Hexane:  double glove with heavier weight (8 mil) nitrile gloves (incidental contact) or use 15 mil or heavier nitrile gloves

For extended contact, such when using hexane for larger scale extractions, refilling secondary containers or as a cleaning fluid, a heavier weight nitrile (35 mils or thicker), viton or PVA gloves are recommended.  Note that the permeation time for hexane through 4 mil nitrile gloves is about 12 minutes and through latex exam gloves is only about 5-6 minutes; subsequently, these gloves are not recommended  for use with hexane.

Hydrochloric acid (concentrated and strong solutions):  nitrile gloves (incidental contact)

A heavier weight neoprene or butyl rubber glove would be superior for long-term use with more concentrated solutions, such as cleaning glassware that has been soaking in an HCl bath or other larger-scale use of HCl.

Hydrofluoric acid (HF):  double glove with heavier weight (8 mil) nitrile gloves (incidental contact) or use 15 mil or heavier nitrile gloves

Note that additional protective equipment must always be worn when using larger quantities of HF.  Nitrile or rubber sleeves, rubber aprons, face shields and splash goggles (not safety glasses) should also be worn.  All users of HF must maintain an HF first aid kit in their lab.

Isopropanol:  nitrile gloves

Laser dyes:  nitrile gloves

Lead Acetate:  See Heavy Metal Salts

Mercuric chloride:  See Heavy Metal Salts

Methanol (methyl alcohol):  nitrile gloves

Methanol should never be allowed to make contact with the skin as it is fairly easily absorbed by the skin.  Methanol is a poison.

Methylene chloride:  double glove with heavier weight (8 mil) nitrile gloves (incidental contact)

methylene chloride will permeate through nitrile gloves in 4 minutes or less.  If you are double gloved, as recommended, and you splash or spill methylene chloride on your gloves, stop what you are doing and change the outer glove immediately.  If you allow methylene chloride to remain on the outer nitrile glove for more than 2 to 4 minutes you must discard both sets of gloves and re-double glove.  Methylene chloride permeates through disposable latex exam gloves in a matter of seconds and latex gloves should never be used to handle this material.

For use of methylene chloride where contact with the glove is anticipated, such as stripping paint or gluing plastics, only polyvinyl acetate (PVA) or viton gloves are recommended.  These gloves come in .28-.33 mm thickness.  PVA offers the best protection.

Methyl sulfonic acid, ethyl ester (EMS) (ethyl methanesulfonate):  nitrile gloves (incidental contact); double glove with nitrile gloves when handling the pure material or concentrated stock solutions

Note:  See Heavy Metal Salts for proper disposal of gloves and other dry waste contaminated with EMS.

Nickel chloride:  See Heavy Metal Salts.

Organophosphorous compounds:  double glove with heavier weight (8 mil) nitrile gloves (incidental contact) or use 15 mil or heavier nitrile gloves

Osmium tetroxide:  See Heavy Metal Salts.

Paraformaldehyde:  nitrile gloves

Phenol:  double glove with heavier weight (8 mil) nitrile gloves (incidental contact); neoprene or butyl rubber gloves are recommended for extensive use of phenol such as working with the pure material or making solutions.

Nitrile gloves have a 30-minute breakthrough time with phenol.  If working with double gloved nitrile gloves, change the outer glove frequently if exposed to this material.

Phenol-chloroform mixtures:  double glove with heavier weight (8 mil) nitrile gloves (incidental contact) or use 15 mil or heavier nitrile gloves; remove outer glove at once if exposed to mixture.

Viton gloves are recommended for work with phenol-chloroform mixtures when probably exposure to the mixtures exists, such as when making up the mixtures.  See the entries for phenol and chloroform.

Phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF):  nitrile gloves (incidental contact); double glove with nitrile gloves when handling the pure material or concentrated stock solutions

Phenylmethysulfonyl fluoride is corrosive (causes burns) on contact with the skin, eyes and mucus membranes.  It is also highly toxic cholinesterase inhibitor and central nervous system poison.  Avoid all contact.

Note:  See Heavy Metal Salts for proper disposal of gloves and other dry waste contaminated with PMSF.

Psoralen:  nitrile gloves (incidental contact); double glove with nitrile gloves when handling the pure material or concentrated stock solutions

Psoralen is corrosive (causes burns) on contact with the skin, eyes and mucus membranes.  It is anticipated to be carcinogen, it is a mutagen and a strong photosensitizer.  Avoid all contact.

Note:  See Heavy Metal Salts for proper disposal of gloves and other dry waste contaminated with psoralen.

Pump oil:  butyl rubber gloves

If you are changing pum oil or servicing pumps where contact with the oil may occur, the only recommended glove type is butyl rubber.

Silane based silanization or derivatization compounds:  double glove with heavier weight (8 mil) nitrile gloves (incidental contact) or use 15 mil or heavier nitrile gloves; remove outer glove at once if signs of degradation occur

Silver nitrate: nitrile gloves or double glove with nitrile gloves.  See Heavy Metal Salts.

Note:  See Heavy Metal Salts for proper disposal of gloves and other dry waste contaminated with silver nitrate.

Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS):  nitrile gloves

Sodium azide:  nitrile gloves or double glove with nitrile gloves (incidental contact)

Testosterone:  nitrile gloves (incidental contact)

3,3',5,5'-Tetramethylbenzidine (TMB):  nitrile gloves (incidental contact); double glove with nitrile gloves when handling the pure material or concentrated stock solutions

Note:  See Heavy Metal Salts for proper disposal of gloves and other dry waste contaminated with TMB.

N,N,N',N'-Tetramethylenediamine (TEMED):  nitrile gloves (incidental contact); double glove with nitrile gloves when handling the pure material or concentrated stock solutions

TEMED is corrosive (causes burns) on contact with the skin, eyes and mucus membranes.

Toluene:  double glove with heavier weight (8 mil) nitrile gloves (incidental contact) or use 15 mil or heavier nitrile gloves; remove outer glove at once if exposed to toluene

For extended contact, such when using toluene for larger scale reactions, refilling secondary containers or as a cleaning fluid, only viton or polyvinyl acetate (PVA) gloves are recommended. Note that the permeation time for toluene through 4 mil nitrile gloves is less than 4 minutes and through latex exam gloves is less than that; subsequently, these gloves are not recommended  for use with hexane.

Triton-X100:  nitrile gloves

Xylene:  nitrile gloves (incidental contact)

For use of xylene where contact with the glove is anticipated, such as pouring of new or used xylene into containers or other operations, polyvinyl acetate (PVA) or viton gloves are recommended.
 

References Used

Ansell Edmont, Chemical Resistance Guide, 1990.  For gloves made by this firm.

Best, Guide to Chemical-Resistant Best Gloves, 1997.  For gloves made by this firm.

Cole-Parmer, '97-'98 Catalog, pp. 1366-1372.  This is a very generic, but useful materials compatibility chart.

Fisher Safety, Sept., 1996, Safety Products Reference Manual, p. 223, 225 and 227.  These charts are specific to gloves sold by Fisher.  There is also a good overview of glove selection on pp. 220-222 of this catalog.

Lab Safety Supply, Aug., 1997 General Catalog, pp. 99.  This chart is specific to gloves sold by Lab Safety Supply.

Material Safety Data Sheets, from both manufacturers' and MDL-OHS database at EH&S.

Merck Index, 10th Edition, 1983.

National Toxicology Program (NTP) chemical information sheets (available at EH&S).  These information sheets are very well written and give information on specific gloves selected by NTP.

NIOSH, Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances, 1981-2.

Pioneer Industrial Products, Chemical Resistance Guide, No date.  For gloves made by this firm.

Safety 4 A/S, 4H Chemical Protection Guide, Sept. 1995.  A chart for 4H brand gloves.

Electronic Resources

For those of you with Intel-based computers, Best has an electronic version of their glove selection chart available on their Web site at:

http://www.bestglove.com

You can download the software and install it on your PC.  It does not have a Mac version.

Keep hoses out of walkways.
Keep nozzles off the ground.
Clean up all material when you are finished working.
Empty your garbage cans.
Pesticides are to be applied by licensed applicators.
Pesticides are to be stored in the pesticide cabinet.
The pesticide cabinet is to be kept locked.
The greenhouse is not to be used as a storage or construction area.
Greenhouse doors are unlocked between 6 a.m. & 6 p.m., and locked all weekend.
Report any accidents, broken equipment or other greenhouse problems to your supervisor, Dave Biller.

25 August 1998
 

Iron oxide-impregnated paper strips are prepared by immersing filter-paper circles (15-cm diam., Whatman No. 50) in a solution containing 10 g FeCl₃ 6H₂O in 100 ml distilled water (10% solution).  The small pore size of these filters reduces the potential for soil particles to adhere to the filter paper and cause errors in bioavailable P estimates, via extraction of P from the adhered soil during subsequent acid elution of the strips.

The paper circles are air dried and immersed in 2.7 M NH₄OH (54 ml NH₄OH + 246 ml DH₂O) solution to convert FeCl₃ to Fe oxide.  Immersion in NH₄OH should be carried out rapidly (immersion for 1 minute), to avoid uneven oxide distribution on the paper.  When iron oxide deposits appear in the NH₄OH solution, fresh NH₄OH should be used.  After the paper circles are air dried, they are cut into strips 10 cm by 2 cm and stored for subsequent use.  Other strip sizes can be used, as is most convenient for your apparatus.

Phosphorus is extracted from soil by shaking a 1-g soil sample and one paper strip in 40 ml of 0.01 M CaCl₂ end-over-end for 16 hours at 25° C.  The bioavailable P content of runoff is determined by shaking 50 ml of unfiltered runoff with one Fe-oxide strip for 16 hours.  Smaller runoff sample volumes should be used if P concentrations are expected to be high (>1 or 2 mg L -1) and made up to 50 ml with distilled water.

The strip is then removed, rinsed free of adhering soil particles, and air dried.  Phosphorus retained on the strip is removed by shaking the strip end-over-end with 40 ml of 0.1 M H₂SO₄ for 1 hour and measured by standard ascorbic acid - molybdate colorimetric methods.

15 March 1999

Wear gloves and eye protection.

All Kjeldhal work is done inside an exhaust hood.

1. Turn on exhaust hood.
2. Add 1.133 g Kjeldhal reagent mix and 3 boiling chips to each digestion tube
3. Add 20 ml of water sample to tube
4. Add 4 ml of concentrated H₂SO₄ to each
5. Place rack of samples into digester block and start program

     Program is as follows:
     Step to 180
     Hold 180 for 60 minutes
     Step to 375
     Hold 375 for 90 minutes
     End

6. Turn off digester and raise tubes out of block to cool
7. Add 4 ml DH₂O to each and mix slightly (samples can sit overnight at this point if necessary)
8. Transfer to 50 ml graduated tubes using (3) 5-ml (15 ml total) DH₂O rinses.  Bring volume to 25 ml 2/ DH₂O
9. Filter through #1 Whatman filter paper into glass tubes w/ screw caps.  Take aliquots and run Murphy-Riley as usual

28 August 2000

Lyme disease (LD) is an infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, a type of bacterium called a spirochete (pronounced spy-ro-keet) that is carried by deer ticks.  An infected tick can transmit the spirochete to the humans and animals it bites. Untreated, the bacterium travels through the bloodstream, establishes itself in various body tissues, and can cause a number of symptoms, some of which are severe.  (from The American Lyme Disease Foundation)

See the following links for more information about this very treatable condition.

Lyme Disease Foundation, Inc.

LymeNet Online Library

Lyme Disease, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
 
 
 
 
 
 

R 1 = 138.9 g Ammonium Flouride (NH₄F)
            73.5  g EDTA - Ettylenediaminetetraacetic Acid in 1 liter
            of distilled water.  Store in plastic bottle, in refrigerator

Mehlich Extract

    70 g Ammonium Nitrate (NH₄NO₃) dissolve in
    1.5  liters distilled water (1.5 liters)
    Add 14 ml of R 1 solution
    Add 40 ml Acetic Acid, Glacial (CH₃.COOH)
    Add 3 ml Nitric Acid (HNO₃) 68 to 70%
    Make up to 2 liters
    Transfer to plastic bottle
    Add 1.5 liters distilled water so final volume is 3.5 liters

Method 2:
    2 gms soil in 20 ml Mehlich III extractant, shake 5 minutes, centrifuge and  filter.  Determine P,
    Samples neutralized before Murphy/Riley is added

or 1 gram soil (2 reps) and 10 ml Mehlich III
      8 at a time
      Centrifuge from shaker
      Filter solution poured off soil
      #1 filter paper into rack of glass tubes w/ caps
       Can store in refrigerator

SbK (Antimony Potassium Tartrate) Tartrate Stock:  12.19 g of SbK Tartrate in 500 ml
                                                                                            store in refrigerator

Murphy/Riley Reagent A: 10.66 g Ammonium Molybdate
                                            125 ml conc. H₂SO₄
                                            50 ml SbK Tartrate in 2 liters
                                            Add 1500 ml H₂O and 125 ml H₂SO₄
                                            and allow to cool down before adding
                                            Molybdate and Tartrate
                                            Store in refrigerator

Murphy/Riley Reagent B: 42 g Ascorbic Acid in 1 liter
                                            Store in refrigerator

Mix Reagent A and Reagent B in 10:1 ratio
Use 5 ml of this mix per sample
Bring total volume of each sample to 25 ml w/ DH₂O
Let color develop at least 15 minutes before running on spectrometer

15 March 1999

All MSDS’s for all chemicals in the main building are kept in notebooks at the Time & Attendance area on the 1st floor next to the mailboxes.  These notebooks are accessible to all employees at all times.  The first notebook, clearly labeled MSDS, is always on the counter behind the T&A notebook.

MSDS’s for USDA labs in the ASI building are available via the Internet.  In Room 266 ASI, a notebook has a collection of MSDS’s for especially hazardous chemicals (toxins, carcinogens, acids, bases, reactive, etc.) used in this lab, in addition to the Internet sites.

If a particular MSDS is not included in any of the notebooks, please contact the Safety Officer.  Many are available via the Internet.

If you receive a MSDS please make sure the Safety Officer has a copy to include in the notebooks.

24 March 1999

0.5  M NaHCO₃ = 84.01 g NaHCO₃ / 2 liters
   add NaOH (600 g/L) to get to pH 8.5
   mix a few drops at a time in and check pH

1.0  g soil in soil tubes
add 20 ml 0.5 M NaHCO₃
shake 30 minutes
centrifuge 5 minutes
filter into test tubes
put from 2 to 5 ml sample into 25 ml volumetrics
neutralize:  2 drops of p-nitrophenol, then back to clear with drops of 1 N H₂SO₄
add Murphy/Riley (5 ml), fill to volume with H₂O
samples may be dark brown in color
if so, color blank should be used with each different sample
add same amount of sample in color blank - no Murphy/Riley - just neutralize and add H₂O
read at 712 nm after 20 minutes

15 Marcy 1999

1. Clorox benchtop and thaw reagents.
2. Fill styrofoam container with crushed ice.
3. Number all sample tubes.
4. Put mineral oil tube on ice and start File #67, add 2 drops of mineral oil to each well in block to be used.
5. Dilute primer.  Use water first.  [2 ul + 198 ul dfH2O]
6. Add 3 ul primer to tubes, 12 at a time, check liquid level in tubes.
7. Make up master mix (MM).
8. Roll master mix to combine enzyme in MM.
9. Add 9 ul of MM to sidewall of each sample tube.  Check level of MM in all tubes.
10. Add 2 drops mineral oil to each sample tube.  Check level of liquid in all tubes.
11. Mix genomic white clover DNA sample tubes.
12. Add 3 ul of each DNA sample into caps of tubes.  Use new tip each sample.
13. Cap each tube and put onto ice.
14. Centrifuge for 20 seconds.
15. Place samples into Thermal Cycler.  Keep in order.  (Tubes in same direction)  Push down on all tubes for complete contact.
16. Start file # 64.  (5 ½ hours)
17. Put supplies away.  Clean up your work area.  Clean remaining mineral oil from wells in Thermal Cycler.  Pick up things that have been dropped on the floor.  Take off gloves.

Master Mix (MM): 228.1 ul dfH2O   (makes about 48 rxn tubes)
   80 ul 10x Stoeffel buffer
   96 ul 25 mM MgCl2
   64 ul dNTPs
   12 ul Stoeffel fragment

Aug 1997

• Office paper, cardboard, newspaper, steel cans & plastic is recycled through Penn State University
• Aluminum cans are collected and taken to a local metal recycling center
• Scrap metal is collected & recycled by contractors or taken to a local metal recycyling center
• Potting media from completed greenhouse experiments is composted
• Clay pots are cleaned (often steralized) & reused
• Plastic greenhouse containers are cleaned (can be steralized with a 10% bleach solution) & reused
• Forage clippings from Rock Springs research plots are often collected & composted at the farm
• Dried samples weighed at Rock Springs are composted at the farm
• Rechargeable batteries are used when practical
• Vehicle batteries are turned in when replaced
• Oil & antifreeze is collected at Rock Springs from farm vehicles
• Laboratory chemicals are inventoried & available for use by various projects; are purchased in smaller quantities; of bulk quantity are stored in the new chemical storage building; less hazardous alternatives are utilized when possible

Rodents are a problem in many of our buildings.  An exterminating service has been contracted to apply bait and remove dead rodents from the farm buildings at Rock Springs, the Headhouse on Tower Road, the Oats Lab and Pole Barn, and the main building on campus.  Please keep room doors closed in these out buildings.  Please store seeds in containers difficult or impossible for rodents to get into.  If containers do not keep rodents out, please replace them to long-term storage containers.  Inspect your storage containers on a regular basis.  Rodents (rats and mice) are a serious problem in our collection of out buildings, not only because they eat seeds we try to use for research.

Exposure to rodent urine and feces is a serious health concern.  Deer mice have been linked with the Hanta virus, Clinical Case Description Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, commonly referred to as Hantavirus disease.  This is not just a problem with rodents in south western states.

If you are cleaning an area with rodent droppings, DO NOT create dust.  Wear a respirator with a HEPA filter.  The virus is readily inhaled, and causes respiratory problems.  See the links to Hantavirus for additional information.

Hantavirus

Hantavirus, Professional Ecological Services Ltd.

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome

Hantavirus, McMaster University

28 August 2000

Sample size:  Ideal sample size is between 0.6 to 0.8 g.  Over 1.0 g ashing might not be complete.  Some question about precision if samples are smaller than 0.2 g.

Procedure:  Place samples in muffle furnace and heat to 155 C and hold for 45 min.  Increase heat to 255 C and hold for 30 min.  Increase heat again to 380 C and hold for 30.  Finally increase temperature to 540-550 C for 4 hr.  Increasing temperature in increments keeps the samples from flaming which will cause the loss of sample.  Because of that, the door should not be opened during the ashing process.

Desiccators

Prepare silica desiccant (heat in an oven between 200-225 F until indicator is blue) and pour into bottom of desiccator.  Make sure lid seals completely.  Keep lid on desiccator except while transferring samples or crucibles.  Recharge silica desiccant as necessary.

Ashing Procedure

1. Dry numbered crucibles are stored in a desiccator.
2. Weigh each crucible & record weight.  Tare balance.
3. Weigh crucible and root sample and record weight.
4. Place crucible and sample into muffle furnace.
5. Close door.
6. Follow Root Ash Procedure.
7. Turn off muffle furnace and open door 1”-2” to allow heat to escape.
8. Move crucibles (using tongs) onto heat resistant lab bench to allow to become less hot.
9. Transfer samples in hot crucibles (using tongs) into desiccator and seal.
10. Allow desiccator to cool, vacuum will occur.
11. Weigh each crucible with ash & record weight.
12. Determine sensitivity of weight necessary (for very small samples).
13. Discard ashed sample and clean crucibles.
14. Dry crucibles and store in a desiccator.

14 January 2000

Broken glassware is collected in the plastic trash cans labeled Disposable Glassware, in each lab.  Broken lab glassware is segregated to protect employees, especially janitorial staff who remove daily refuse.

Broken glassware contaminated with hazardous chemicals must be disposed of as hazardous waste.  Contact the Safety Officer.

Sharps, razor blades and needles, are collected in plastic Sharps Containers.  Contact the Safety Officer for disposal.

18 March 1999

Before you use any shop tools, see Dave Biller or the Safety Officer to be trained in the safe use of the equipment (radial arm saw, grinder, drill press, etc.).

Wear Safety Glasses and Ear Plugs when you work with Shop Equipment.  They are available from your Safety Officer.

Do not wear loose fitting clothing when working with power equipment.

Clean up the area when you are finished using the shop tools.

5 May 1998
 
 

1. UV light is harmful to eyes, always wear UV protective eyewear when using the light table.

2. Place gels onto light table.

3. Place camera and light shield onto the UV table.

4. Turn on UV lamp.

5. Take photograph, turn off UV table, remove gel.

6. Check photographic image to make sure the image is suitable for analysis before disposing of gel.

28 August 2000

At this time, there is no welding done, by any of our employees, in any buildings at the University Park location.

There is welding equipment at our main building at Rock Springs.

18 March 1999

We have been experiencing very cold temperatures lately and the weather service is forecasting temperatures to fall below zero at times with wind chills to -30 degrees F. With that in mind, here are some safety tips for those traveling or who need to work in outside conditions.
 
1. Pack a cold weather safety kit to keep in your vehicle when traveling to include items:
 
Cell phone w/ fully charged battery.
Blanket.
Heavy gloves or mittens. Mittens will keep your hands warmer.
Full face hat to protect your face and neck.
Extreme cold clothing such a heavy parka, pants, insulated boots.
Candles,matches, and coffee can. A candle in a coffee can keep you from freezing for a couple hours when stranded in a vehicle in extreme temperatures.
Safety flares and first aid kit.
Flashlight and batteries.
Water and a couple nutrition bars or canned fruit.
 
2. Use gas line antifreeze and try to keep your tank full of gas.
 
Temperatures below zero with colder wind chills severely increase the chances of frost bite and hypothermia.
Temperatures this low can cause extensive frostbite even if you try to walk a 1/4 mile or change a tire without the proper clothing.
If stranded, do not try to walk for help.
Call and let the help come to you.
Your vehicle will provide cover from the weather.
If your vehicle still runs, start it intermittently to provide heat, but save gas.
 
For more tips on winter safety, go to:

http://www.wayne-health.org/wc_winter-safety.html

22 Dec 2000

A

Never add Water to Acid, an extreme exothermic chemical reaction will occur.