Aniline (CAS 62-53-3): storage and disposal
Aniline is an oily liquid held as a neat chemical in school, college and university stores. It is toxic if swallowed, in contact with skin and if inhaled, causes serious eye damage, may cause an allergic skin reaction, is suspected of causing genetic defects and cancer, and is very toxic to aquatic life. Its colour is the quickest guide to how long a bottle has been on the shelf.
- CAS number
- 62-53-3
- Form
- Liquid
- Storage class
- Toxic
- Signal word
- Danger
- Usual EWC code, laboratory stock
- 16 05 06*
Corrosive
Acute toxicity
Serious health hazard
Hazardous to the environment
What to do this week
- Without moving anything that looks damaged, 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 anything listed under "Do not store with" on this page. If nothing is listed, that does not prove it is safe with everything.
- If you no longer need it, add it to your disposal list so it can be included in a collection.
Safe storage in a school or lab
It arrives as a pale yellow liquid in a glass bottle, and it should stay in that bottle with the cap tight, out of light. Keep it in a locked cabinet with a stock record, away from food and drink areas, from oxidisers and from acids. Hypochlorites and chlorine releasing agents such as calcium hypochlorite, chloramine T, sodium dichloroisocyanurate and sodium hypochlorite must never share the space, because hypochlorites can react dangerously with aniline, including through oxidation and chlorination reactions. A tray under the bottle catches a leak. Because it is toxic through the skin, gloves go on before the bottle is moved, and the bottle should be dated when opened. Exposure can reduce the blood's ability to carry oxygen, sometimes after a delay, with blue lips or fingertips as a sign, so anyone exposed needs urgent medical attention.
How to tell it has deteriorated
Fresh aniline is pale yellow, and with exposure to air and light it darkens to brown. A deep brown bottle has been open or in the light for a long time, though the colour does not tell you the strength of what remains. Look at the cap and neck for a dark crust or oily film, at the label for staining, at the level against the record and at the glass for cracks. Brown staining on the shelf or tray means liquid has escaped, which is a skin contact risk because the liquid is toxic by that route. Treat a dark or leaking bottle as aged stock.
How it is disposed of
We arrange this by specialist collection. We do not publish a drain or general waste route for any chemical. It is normally packed in a toxic laboratory pack with compatible chemicals.
The liquid goes in a lab pack with compatible organic liquids, kept apart from hypochlorites, acids and oxidising stock. Waste code 16 05 06* is the usual description, and 16 05 08* applies for a discarded organic chemical outside a pack. Give the collector the bottle size, fill, colour and whether it has leaked. Record the exact label name, including phenylamine or aminobenzene where printed. If the label identifies a nitrate salt, declare it separately rather than identifying it as neat aniline. Because it is very toxic to aquatic life, it is never poured into a sink or drain or put in the bin, and nobody should try to treat or evaporate what is left.
| Usual EWC code, laboratory stock | 16 05 06* |
|---|---|
| Discarded organic chemical, not a laboratory pack | 16 05 08* |
| Usually classed as hazardous waste | Yes |
The code depends on where the waste came from and what it contains, and classifying it is the producer's duty. 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 hypochloriteHypochlorites and chlorine releasing agents can react dangerously with aniline through oxidation and chlorination.
- Chloramine THypochlorites and chlorine releasing agents can react dangerously with aniline through oxidation and chlorination.
- 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.
Show 3 more
- Sodium dichloroisocyanurateHypochlorites and chlorine releasing agents can react dangerously with aniline through oxidation and chlorination.
- Sodium hypochloriteHypochlorites and chlorine releasing agents can react dangerously with aniline through oxidation and chlorination.
- Sulfuric acidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
Common quantities
Usually held as: neat.
Tell us the container size and how many you hold. An estimate is enough to start with, and some items cannot be priced until someone has looked at them.
Where it is commonly held
Hazard statements
- H301 Toxic if swallowed.
- H311 Toxic in contact with skin.
- H317 May cause an allergic skin reaction.
- H318 Causes serious eye damage.
- H331 Toxic if inhaled.
- H341 Suspected of causing genetic defects.
- H351 Suspected of causing cancer.
- H372 Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure.
- H400 Very toxic to aquatic life.
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.
- P262 Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing.
- 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.
- P273 Avoid release to the environment.
- 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+P354+P338 IF IN EYES: Immediately rinse with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
- P316 Get emergency medical help immediately.
- 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.
- P333+P317 If skin irritation or rash occurs: Get medical help.
- P361+P364 Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.
- P362+P364 Take off contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.
- P391 Collect spillage.
- 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
Our aniline has turned dark brown. Is it dangerous?
Browning is the normal change with air and light, but the hazards listed still apply. It is toxic through the skin and by inhalation. Keep the cap tight, handle with gloves and list it as aged stock.
Why must aniline be kept away from bleach?
Hypochlorites can react dangerously with aniline through oxidation and chlorination reactions. Sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite, chloramine T and sodium dichloroisocyanurate must be stored in a different cabinet from aniline.
What should we do about brown staining on the shelf?
Treat it as a leak. The liquid is toxic in contact with skin. Do not move or disturb a bottle suspected of leaking. Follow the site's chemical leak procedure and arrange specialist assessment before movement. Do not wipe the shelf with cloths that go in the ordinary bin.
Is a nearly empty aniline bottle still hazardous waste?
Yes. Residue in the bottle carries the same classification as the liquid. Keep the cap on, label the bottle with the fill level and list it for specialist collection.