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Chemical collection and stock control for UK schools, universities and hospitals

Ammonium persulfate (CAS 7727-54-0): storage and disposal

Electrophoresis benches in university and pathology labs hold ammonium persulfate as a white solid and as a made-up 10% solution. It is an oxidiser that may intensify fire, harmful if swallowed, an irritant to skin, eyes and airways, and a skin and respiratory sensitiser. That sensitiser classification matters most for the staff who open the jar every week.

CAS number
7727-54-0
Form
Solid
Storage class
Oxidiser
Signal word
Danger
Usual EWC code
16 05 06*
  • Oxidising pictogramOxidising
  • Harmful or irritant pictogramHarmful or irritant
  • Serious health hazard pictogramSerious health hazard

What to do this week

  1. Check the label is readable and write down the opened date if it is not already there.
  2. Check it is stored as oxidiser stock and apart from the items listed under "Do not store with".
  3. 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

Damp and heat are what this salt dislikes, and both speed its slow breakdown. Give it a separate, labelled space on non-combustible shelving where possible, away from organic and reducing materials. Ethers such as diethyl ether and 1,4-dioxane, activated charcoal, aluminium powder, glucose and hydrazine hydrate are the poor neighbours on a real shelf, because strong oxidisers form mixtures with them that burn fiercely or explode. Acids, alkalis and corrosive bottles belong on other shelves. Label the 10% solution with the date it was made and stand it on a tray. A bench jar should be closed after each use.

How to tell it has deteriorated

Damp and caking are the main changes. The solid takes up moisture, so a wet-looking tub, hard lumps, corroded caps and staining on the shelf are the oxidiser checks that apply here. Contamination with paper, wood dust or spatula residue is the sign to take seriously, because it adds fuel to an oxidiser. A solution kept for long may have changed, and a bottle with a bulging cap or unknown date should be left closed. Because dust can cause allergy or asthma symptoms, nobody should shake or scrape a caked jar.

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 oxidising laboratory pack with compatible chemicals.

Leaving the site by specialist collection is the only route, and the jar is described as an oxidiser and a sensitiser. Record whether it is the solid or the 10% solution, the quantity and the condition of the cap. The laboratory chemical code applies, with the inorganic discarded-chemical variant outside a lab pack and the healthcare variant for a hospital holder. It must not be washed into a sink, put in a bin where it could meet paper, or mixed with organic waste. The carrier packs it in an oxidiser group.

Waste codes and transport details for Ammonium persulfate
EWC code, laboratory chemicals16 05 06*
Discarded inorganic chemical, not a laboratory pack16 05 07*
Human healthcare setting18 01 06*
Hazardous wasteYes

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

  • FlammableOxidisers can ignite flammable materials or make a fire far more intense.
  • AcidMany oxidisers release toxic gas or become unstable in contact with acid.
  • AlkaliSome oxidisers react strongly with alkalis, and ammonia based stock is especially at risk.
  • ToxicToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
  • CorrosiveCorrosive stock can react with oxidisers, releasing heat or fumes.

Named chemicals to keep apart

  • 1,2-DimethoxyethanePeroxide forming ethers can ignite or explode with strong oxidisers.
  • 1,4-DioxanePeroxide forming ethers can ignite or explode with strong oxidisers.
  • Acetic acidMany oxidisers release toxic gas or become unstable in contact with acid.
  • AcetoneOxidisers can ignite flammable materials or make a fire far more intense.
  • Activated charcoalStrong oxidisers can form mixtures with these materials that burn fiercely or explode.
  • Aluminium powderStrong oxidisers can form mixtures with these materials that burn fiercely or explode.
  • Ammonia solutionSome oxidisers react strongly with alkalis, and ammonia based stock is especially at risk.
  • Diethyl etherPeroxide forming ethers can ignite or explode with strong oxidisers.
Show 14 more
  • Diisopropyl etherPeroxide forming ethers can ignite or explode with strong oxidisers.
  • EthanolOxidisers can ignite flammable materials or make a fire far more intense.
  • FormalinToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
  • GlucoseStrong oxidisers can form mixtures with these materials that burn fiercely or explode.
  • HexaneOxidisers can ignite flammable materials or make a fire far more intense.
  • Hydrochloric acidMany oxidisers release toxic gas or become unstable in contact with acid.
  • Magnesium ribbonStrong oxidisers can form mixtures with these materials that burn fiercely or explode.
  • Potassium cyanideCyanides react violently with strong oxidisers.
  • Red phosphorusStrong oxidisers can form mixtures with these materials that burn fiercely or explode.
  • Sodium cyanideCyanides react violently with strong oxidisers.
  • SucroseStrong oxidisers can form mixtures with these materials that burn fiercely or explode.
  • SulfurStrong oxidisers can form mixtures with these materials that burn fiercely or explode.
  • TetrahydrofuranPeroxide forming ethers can ignite or explode with strong oxidisers.
  • White phosphorusPhosphorus can ignite or explode with oxidisers.

Common quantities we collect

Usually held as: solid, 10% 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

  • H272 May intensify fire; oxidiser.
  • H302 Harmful if swallowed.
  • H315 Causes skin irritation.
  • H317 May cause an allergic skin reaction.
  • H319 Causes serious eye irritation.
  • H334 May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled.
  • H335 May cause respiratory irritation.
Precautionary statements
  • P210 Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking.
  • P220 Keep away from clothing and other combustible materials.
  • P233 Keep container tightly closed.
  • 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.
  • P284 In case of inadequate ventilation wear respiratory protection.
  • P301+P317 IF SWALLOWED: Get medical help.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • P342+P316 If experiencing respiratory symptoms: Get emergency medical help immediately.
  • P362+P364 Take off contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.
  • P370+P378 In case of fire: Use suitable extinguishing media to extinguish.
  • P403 Store in a well-ventilated place.
  • P403+P233 Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
  • 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

Can leftover 10% persulfate solution be tipped away after gel casting?

No. It is collected as chemical waste and must not go into a sink or bin. Label the bottle with the date made and describe it as an oxidiser solution when requesting collection.

Why is the powder a problem for regular users?

It is classified as a skin and respiratory sensitiser, so dust can cause allergy or asthma symptoms. Anyone who has reacted should not handle caked or dusty stock.

What can't sit next to it?

Ethers, charcoal, aluminium powder, glucose, hydrazine hydrate and other organic or reducing materials. Keep it in its own labelled space on non-combustible shelving, away from the gel casting bench clutter.

Guidance only. Check your own risk assessment and your supplier's safety data sheet.

Hazard data source: PubChem GHS Classification, retrieved 31 Oct 2026. Formula H8N2O8S2.

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