Acrylamide (CAS 79-06-1): storage and disposal
Acrylamide is held in university and pathology laboratories as a solid and as a 40% solution, mostly for electrophoresis gels. It is toxic if swallowed, may cause genetic defects and cancer, is a neurotoxin and causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure. Powder, solution and cured gel are three different waste items, and a gel does not stop being waste of concern just because it has set.
- CAS number
- 79-06-1
- Form
- Solid
- Storage class
- Toxic
- Signal word
- Danger
- Usual EWC code
- 16 05 06*
Acute toxicity
Serious health hazard
What to do this week
- Check the label is readable and write down the opened date if it is not already there.
- Check it is stored as toxic stock and apart from the items listed under "Do not store with".
- If you no longer need it, add it to your disposal list so it goes on the next collection.
Safe storage in a school or lab
Keep acrylamide away from heat, because it can polymerise on heating, and away from acids and oxidisers, which are stored apart from toxic stock because a reaction could release hazardous vapours. A fridge shelf is common for solutions, so keep the bottle in a tray there with a clear label of the strength and the date. Use a locked cabinet with a stock record for the powder, away from food and drink areas. Gloves are required for every transfer, since the substance is harmful through the skin and is a skin sensitiser. Keep the bottle upright with a tight cap.
How to tell it has deteriorated
Check the container first. A 40% solution that has become cloudy, thick or has a gel-like lump has probably started to polymerise, and the bottle should be treated as aged stock and left unopened. Powder that has clumped or looks damp points to a loose lid. Look at the neck for crystals or a sticky film, at the label for faded strength and date, and at the glass for cracks. A bottle near a warm spot, such as the top of a refrigerator, may show changes sooner. Never open a swollen or bulging bottle to look.
How it must be disposed of
By specialist collection only. It never goes down the drain or into general waste. It is normally packed in a toxic laboratory pack with compatible chemicals.
Declare each form separately: dry powder, bottles of 40% solution, and used gels. Cured gels can contain residual acrylamide monomer. List them separately for specialist collection, with their hazardous waste classification confirmed from their composition. Waste code 16 05 06* is the usual description, with 18 01 06* in a human healthcare laboratory and 16 05 08* for a discarded organic chemical outside a pack. Never put the solution down a sink, bin the gels or heat anything to cure it first, as heating can cause it to polymerise. Record volumes and any lumps in the bottle.
| EWC code, laboratory chemicals | 16 05 06* |
|---|---|
| Discarded organic chemical, not a laboratory pack | 16 05 08* |
| Human healthcare setting | 18 01 06* |
| Hazardous waste | Yes |
The code depends on where the waste came from and what it is mixed with. Use the waste code finder to see why.
Do not store with
- OxidiserToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
- AcidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
Named chemicals to keep apart
- Acetic acidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
- Calcium hypochloriteToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
- Hydrochloric acidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
- Hydrogen peroxideToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
- Nitric acidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
- Potassium nitrateToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
- Potassium permanganateToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
- Sulfuric acidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
Common quantities we collect
Usually held as: solid, 40% solution.
Part-used bottles and full containers are both fine. Tell us the size and how many, and an estimate is enough for a first price.
Where it is commonly held
Hazard statements
- H301 Toxic if swallowed.
- H312 Harmful in contact with skin.
- H315 Causes skin irritation.
- H317 May cause an allergic skin reaction.
- H319 Causes serious eye irritation.
- H332 Harmful if inhaled.
- H340 May cause genetic defects.
- H350 May cause cancer.
- H361f Suspected of damaging fertility.
- H372 Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure.
Precautionary statements
- P203 Obtain, read and follow all safety instructions before use.
- P260 Do not breathe dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
- P261 Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
- P264 Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after handling.
- P264+P265 Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after handling. Do not touch eyes.
- P270 Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
- P271 Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
- P272 Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace.
- P280 Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
- P301+P316 IF SWALLOWED: Get emergency medical help immediately.
- P302+P352 IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water.
- P304+P340 IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
- P305+P351+P338 IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
- P317 Get medical help.
- P318 If exposed or concerned, get medical advice.
- P319 Get medical help if you feel unwell.
- P321 Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instruction on this label).
- P330 Rinse mouth.
- P332+P317 If skin irritation occurs: Get medical help.
- P333+P317 If skin irritation or rash occurs: Get medical help.
- P337+P317 If eye irritation persists: Get medical help.
- P362+P364 Take off contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.
- P405 Store locked up.
- P501 Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local, regional, national and international regulations.
Substance as classified, dilutions may differ.
Questions
Is a set polyacrylamide gel safe to put in the bin?
Do not put it in the general bin before its waste classification is confirmed. Cured gels can contain residual acrylamide, and classification depends on the gel's composition. Collect used gels in a labelled container and list them for specialist collection with the solutions and powder.
Our acrylamide solution has gone thick. What does that mean?
It has probably started to polymerise. Do not open it or warm it. Leave the bottle upright in a tray, label it as aged stock and tell the collector the contents have thickened.
Can we heat leftover solution to set it before disposal?
No. Heating is not a safe way to deal with it, since acrylamide can polymerise on heating and the set material still contains monomer. Keep the solution in its container and arrange specialist collection.
Which waste code does a pathology lab use?
A human healthcare setting may be described under 18 01 06*, while a university research store uses 16 05 06*. Say what kind of site you are and which forms you hold.
