Guidelines for care & Use of Dry Solvent Stills [Example]

8. Dr. Paul Jones – Lab Room # 14
Specific Decontamination Procedures for Equipment and Bench top Surfaces which have come into
contact with Highly Toxic Waste
Include here methods of cleaning up work surfaces in hoods or bench tops so as to render traces of
toxic chemicals benign.
For routine cleaning, benchtops should be washed using a sponge and hot, soapy water followed by
acetone and paper towels. If the spill contains a large amount of hydrophobic (oily) material, first wash
the area using an organic solvent (ethyl acetate, ethanol, or acetone) and then wash again as for routine
cleaning.
When cleaning spills be sure to wear proper dress and safety equipment (goggles, gloves, lab coat, full
shoes (no open toes)). If you are in doubt as to your ability to safely clean a large spill or about special
hazards (HCl vapor, for example), seek help.
Acids (mineral or organic): saturate the affected area with sodium bicarbonate and allow this to sit for
several minutes. Wipe the area with a sponge or paper towel (dispose each into an acid waste container).
Test the pH of the area by spilling a small amount of water and using pH paper. Continue treating with
sodium bicarbonate until the area is neutral. Clean as for routine cleaning. Be aware that most acid spills
will create irritating and potentially harmful vapors.
Bases (mineral or amines): soak the area with dilute acetic acid until the area is slightly acidic. Wipe up
the spill with a sponge or paper towel (place either in the acid waste bottle) and wash the area as if there
had been an acid spill. Be aware that highly basic solutions present extreme hazards to the skin and eyes.
Organic solvents: bury the area in vermiculite or some other adsorbant (Spill absorbant material is located
in the Solvent room, room # 20, Loading Dock area). Place the spill material in a suitably marked
container. Clean the area as for routine cleaning. Be aware of vapor hazards!
Organic chemicals: You should clean these as for organic solvents with the caveat that the compound may
possess significant health hazards. If you are not aware of the particular hazards presented by the spilled
compound, look at an MSDS sheet.
Heavy metals: Be particularly careful cleaning these spills. For small spills, prepare an aqueous solution
of EDTA and wipe the area thoroughly with this solution. Use a sponge or paper towels and place both or
either in the heavy metal waste container you will prepare. Carefully label the container with contents,
your name, lab, lab phone, date, and secure the container in Salem 20.
Thiols/Thioethers: These compounds present no general safety concern other than their foul stench. Wipe
the affected area several times with bleach. Place the paper towel or sponge in a closed container (Do not
mix bleach and normal organic waste). Continue wiping the area with bleach well after the smell seems
to have dissipated. It is likely that you will become insensitive to the smell. Dispose of your gloves and,
possibly, your lab coat depending on the taste/mood of your labmates. Be prepared to smell like thiol for
some time. Clearly mark the container as sulfur containing waste and place the material in Salem 20.
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