Auramine O (CAS 2465-27-2): storage and disposal
Fluorescent yellow against acid-fast bacilli, auramine O is used for TB staining in university, pathology and histology labs, held as powder. Its classification is long: harmful if swallowed, toxic in contact with skin, serious eye irritation, suspected of causing cancer and toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. Skin contact is the entry that stands out, because a dye that stains is also a dye that can pass through skin.
- CAS number
- 2465-27-2
- Form
- Solid
- Storage class
- Toxic
- Signal word
- Danger
- Usual EWC code
- 16 05 06*
Acute toxicity
Serious health hazard
Hazardous to the environment
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
Because it is toxic in contact with skin and suspected of causing cancer, keep it in a locked cabinet with a stock record, away from food and drink areas and apart from oxidisers and acids, since stock in this class is separated from both. Gloves belong at the cabinet, and a torn glove after handling the powder is a reason to wash at once, not to wait. Keep the jar securely closed and date the label. If powder is present on the cap thread, leave it undisturbed and report the contamination. Keep the TB staining reagents made from it separate in the records from the powder, and never decant it into an unmarked tube.
How to tell it has deteriorated
The point to check first is the outside of the container, since this dye is dangerous on the skin and a contaminated jar is a hazard to handle. A yellow stain on the cap, label or shelf suggests powder has escaped. Leave a contaminated jar undisturbed and refer it for specialist assessment. Lumps, a damp look or a hard cake mean moisture has entered. This dye gives no specific sign of age, so it gives few visual clues, and the record is the evidence: no date of receipt, a label gone unreadable or a stock entry that no longer matches. An unmarked yellow jar is listed unknown and left sealed.
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.
A jar with yellow powder on the outside should be left undisturbed and reported for specialist assessment, because the dye is toxic in contact with skin. Any necessary containment or separate packing should be arranged by competent personnel. The aquatic classification is the reason it is not allowed into a sink, a drain or the general bin, and nobody should try to treat it. Give the form, jar size and condition, and list any made-up TB staining reagent separately. A university or laboratory store uses 16 05 06*, and a human healthcare pathology service uses 18 01 06*. Keep the jar sealed and upright, with other stains it can be packed with.
| 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, TB staining.
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
- H302 Harmful if swallowed.
- H311 Toxic in contact with skin.
- H319 Causes serious eye irritation.
- H351 Suspected of causing cancer.
- H411 Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
Precautionary statements
- P203 Obtain, read and follow all safety instructions before use.
- 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.
- P273 Avoid release to the environment.
- P280 Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
- P301+P317 IF SWALLOWED: Get medical help.
- P302+P352 IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water.
- P305+P351+P338 IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
- P316 Get emergency medical help immediately.
- P318 If exposed or concerned, get medical advice.
- P321 Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instruction on this label).
- P330 Rinse mouth.
- P337+P317 If eye irritation persists: Get medical help.
- P361+P364 Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.
- P391 Collect spillage.
- 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 auramine O treated more strictly than other stains?
Its classification includes toxicity in contact with skin and suspected cancer as well as aquatic harm. That means locked storage, gloves, a stock record and no disposal to a sink or general waste.
What if powder has spilled on the outside of the jar?
Do not disturb a jar with powder on its outside. Record the contamination, report it on the collection request and arrange for competent personnel to assess and contain it. Do not wipe it down in the sink or put the wipes in general waste.
Do we list TB staining reagent with the powder?
No. A made-up reagent is a separate item with its own container and label, so list it as its own line and give any solvent or strength from the label.
Which waste code does a pathology lab use?
A human healthcare pathology service uses 18 01 06*, while a university or laboratory store uses 16 05 06*. State the setting when you request collection.