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

Ampicillin (CAS 69-53-4): storage and disposal

Ampicillin is a penicillin-type antibiotic. University labs hold the sodium salt as a culture supplement, while pharmacies and clinics hold vials of the medicine. The recorded hazards include skin and respiratory sensitisation, which means dust can trigger allergy or asthma symptoms, and eye and respiratory irritation. The setting decides the code, and the allergy risk decides how people should handle old stock.

CAS number
69-53-4
Form
Solid
Storage class
General
Signal word
Danger
Usual EWC code
16 05 06*
  • 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 general 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

Stock sits in different places depending on the room. A university lab usually holds ampicillin sodium powder in a tightly closed bottle, stored at the temperature specified on the supplier label, alongside other appropriately stored antibiotics for selection work. A pharmacy or clinic holds sealed vials or packs in the medicines store, in their cartons with batch details visible. Penicillin-type allergy is common, so staff who know they are sensitive should not open or weigh stock. Keep powder bottles dry, because moisture breaks down the beta-lactam ring that gives the drug its action. Keep expired medicines apart from current stock and mark them clearly for return or collection.

How to tell it has deteriorated

Fresh ampicillin powder is white to off-white and loose. The usual ageing signs are caking from moisture, a yellow or brown tinge and a sticky surface, and a stale smell on opening. Because moisture breaks the molecule down, a clumped bottle may have lost its action while a clear-looking one has not. Vials should show no cracks, crystals around the stopper or discolouration, and cartons should be in date. Dust around the cap matters more than usual for a sensitiser, so do not wipe or blow it away. Plates and media containing ampicillin are a separate biological waste stream, not part of the stock.

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 non-regulated or low hazard laboratory pack with compatible chemicals.

Pharmacies and clinics discarding medicines in a human healthcare setting normally use 18 01 09, and a research lab uses 16 05 06* for the powder or 16 05 08* where it is a discarded organic chemical outside a pack. Say which one you hold. Sealed vials and bottles are packed by compatible group into a lab pack, and pharmacies should use their own medicines return process for in-date stock first. Note on the record that it is a respiratory and skin sensitiser. Medicine stock and powder must never go down a sink or drain, or into household waste.

Waste codes and transport details for Ampicillin
EWC code, laboratory chemicals16 05 06*
Discarded organic chemical, not a laboratory pack16 05 08*
Human healthcare setting18 01 09
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.

Common quantities we collect

Usually held as: sodium salt, culture supplement.

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

  • 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
  • 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.
  • P271 Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
  • P272 Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace.
  • P273 Avoid release to the environment.
  • P280 Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
  • P284 In case of inadequate ventilation wear respiratory protection.
  • 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).
  • 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.
  • P391 Collect spillage.
  • 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

Why is ampicillin powder a risk to some staff?

It is recorded as a skin and respiratory sensitiser. Dust can cause allergic skin reactions or asthma symptoms, and people with penicillin allergy are at particular risk. Keep bottles closed and let others handle open stock.

Which waste code applies to expired ampicillin vials in a clinic?

A human healthcare setting normally uses 18 01 09 for medicines of this kind. A research lab holding the powder uses a different code, so tell the collector where the stock was held.

Is yellowed ampicillin powder still safe to use?

A colour change and caking show moisture damage and loss of action, so it should not be relied on in culture work. Record the bottle for collection, and do not open it further if it is dusty.

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 C16H19N3O4S. EC number 200-709-7.

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