Mercaptoacetic acid

This chemical standard operating procedure (SOP) and the associated Safety Data Sheet (SDS) are for our safety. Read and understand both documents. If this is a paper copy, check for updated versions on the IsoLab website.

Process

Mercaptoacetic acid is used to make the resin for selectively extracting selenium from solutions for later isotopic analyses.

Hazards - SDS

Toxic if swallowed or in contact with skin. Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. Causes serious eye damage. Harmful to aquatic life.

Protection - SDS

Engineering Controls

Work with mercaptoacetic acid in a fume hood. Ensure the fume hood has proper air flow by checking the flow rate on the control panel and / or using a smoke match or wipe to visualize flow.

PHS - Mercaptoacetic acid may only be used in a fume hood and any of the fume hoods in the IsoLab suite are appropriate.

Administrative Controls

PHS - Tell others in the lab that you are using mercaptoacetic acid. Do not allow anyone else to work in the same fume hood while you are working with mercaptoacetic acid unless they are working with you. If you must leave the fume hood for any period of time, close the sash and tape a sign up indicating the presence of mercaptoacetic acid.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Wear chemical splash goggles, nitrile gloves, and a laboratory coat when working with mercaptoacetic acid.

PHS - Goggles are located on the west wall drawers of 303B. Have all PPE on prior to grabbing the concentrated mercaptoacetic acid bottle. Keep the fume hood sash low for facial protection.

Handling - SDS

Keep container tightly closed when not in use. Only work with and mercaptoacetic acid in a fume hood.

PHS - Decontamination - Any glassware that has been used with mercaptoacetic acid should be rinsed such that the first rinse goes into the appropriate waste container. Subsequent rinse or washing of glassware can be done outside the fume hood in the sink as per normal lab glassware cleaning procedures.

Storage - SDS

Mercaptoacetic acid is stored in the benchtop refrigerator in 303B. Use MyChem, the UW EH&S chemical inventory database, for more storage information. Make sure to use the secondary storage container provided.

Spills - SDS

Outside Fume Hood Spill - FUMES - Everyone should evacuate. If you intend to clean up the spill yourself, don a respirator with a gas vapor cartridge and non-vented protective goggles along with all other PPE described above before attempting clean-up. Do not let anyone enter the contaminated space until the air is cleared or proper PPE has been donned.

Inside Fume Hood Spill - If the spill is fully contained inside the fume hood, close the sash and prepare yourself to clean it up. Grab the closest spill kit. Make sure you have the appropriate PPE on (lab coat, nitrile gloves, eye protection). Do not allow the substance to enter the drain. Use liquid-absorbent material to soak up the chemical. Put all generated waste into a bag. See Waste section below.

If you need assistance or advice, use the IsoLab Emergency Contacts sheet.

Consult the EH&S Spill Poster and Exposure Poster

Waste - SDS

If you are cleaning up after a spill and have a bag of debris, ensure the bag is sealed and use multiple bags as needed. Complete an EH&S Hazardous Waste Label and adhere it to the bag. Here are instructions for how to label chemical waste containers. Labels are located in a drawer on the west wall of 303B near the door to the hallway.

Put all waste, solid or liquid, into a plastic container. Options for waste containers can be found under the west sink in 303B. Complete an EH&S Hazardous Waste Label and adhere it to the bottle. Here are instructions for how to label chemical waste containers. Labels are located in a drawer on the west wall of 303B near the door to the hallway.

Place the properly labeled container in one of the gray tubs near the hallway door of 303B. Segregate from other waste containers as appropriate.

Consult our generalized Chemical Waste Disposal SOP.

Training - PHS

Mercaptoacetic acid is deemed a particularly hazardous substance - PHS by EH&S and you need approval before using it. Complete the list of requirements below before using this chemical.

Prerequisites

1. You must have completed Managing Laboratory Chemicals in the last three years. Login to check.
2. Read and understand the SDS for Mercaptoacetic acid.
3. Read, understand, and digitally sign this SOP.
4. Contact your Principal Investigator (PI) AND the Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO) indicating that you have completed all prerequisites and await approval.

Signature

I have read and understood the present SOP and, before starting work outlined in the present SOP, I will complete all required training.