Barium chloride (CAS 10361-37-2): storage and disposal
Barium chloride is a soluble barium salt kept in school, college and university stores, usually as the dihydrate and as bench solutions made for sulfate tests. It is classified as toxic if swallowed, harmful if inhaled and a cause of serious eye irritation, and it carries UN number 1564. Because both the solid and the solution are in daily circulation in teaching labs, the stock record is as important as the container.
- CAS number
- 10361-37-2
- Form
- Solid
- Storage class
- Toxic
- Signal word
- Danger
- Usual EWC code
- 16 05 06*
Acute toxicity
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
In a school prep room it belongs in the locked toxic cabinet, with a stock record that is checked against what is on the shelf. Bench bottles of solution used for sulfate tests are easy to lose track of, and they should be labelled with the name and date and returned to the cabinet after the lesson, not left on a technician's trolley. Keep it away from food and drink areas, and segregate it from incompatible chemicals. Acid contact does not normally make barium chloride release a toxic gas. Dihydrate crystals and solutions get separate containers, and the label should say which is in the bottle.
How to tell it has deteriorated
Dihydrate crystals may cake, so a bottle that no longer pours freely and has clumped at the base is the commonest sign. Look for staining around the cap, a failed seal, a faded label and any gap in the stock record. Solutions are harder to judge by eye, so rely on labels: a bench bottle with no date, a hand-written name that has smudged or a cloudy deposit at the bottom should be set aside. Unexpected colour or caking is worth noting. Stock that has changed is still barium chloride and remains toxic, so it should never be treated as less serious because it looks tired.
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.
Stock gets recorded by form and by quantity. Solid dihydrate and bench solution are listed separately, with the strength of any solution if it is known, since a dilute solution may be less hazardous than the solid but is still not to be poured away. Barium salts are a poison class waste, collected as hazardous waste under 16 05 06* in a lab pack or 16 05 07* outside one. They are packed apart from acids and oxidisers. It must not go into a sink, a drain, general waste or a skip, and nobody should try to precipitate or otherwise treat it first. Keep the cabinet record up to date until the collection is made.
| EWC code, laboratory chemicals | 16 05 06* |
|---|---|
| Discarded inorganic chemical, not a laboratory pack | 16 05 07* |
| 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: dihydrate, 0.1 M.
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.
- H319 Causes serious eye irritation.
- H332 Harmful if inhaled.
Precautionary statements
- P261 Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
- P264 Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after handling.
- P270 Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
- P271 Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
- P301+P316 IF SWALLOWED: Get emergency medical help immediately.
- P304+P340 IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
- P317 Get medical help.
- P321 Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instruction on this label).
- P330 Rinse mouth.
- P405 Store locked up.
- P501 Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local, regional, national and international regulations.
- P264+P265 Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after handling. Do not touch eyes.
- P273 Avoid release to the environment.
- P280 Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
- P305+P351+P338 IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
- P337+P317 If eye irritation persists: Get medical help.
Substance as classified, dilutions may differ.
Questions
What do we do with leftover dilute barium chloride solution after a practical?
Keep it in a labelled container and have it collected. A dilute solution may be less hazardous than the solid, but it is still barium chloride waste and must not go down a sink or drain.
Why has the dihydrate gone lumpy?
Dihydrate crystals may cake, particularly if the cap has not been seated properly. Caking does not change what it is. Keep the bottle in the locked cabinet and put it forward for collection described as caked.
How should it be recorded in the cabinet?
Record each bottle by name, form, date received and quantity, and update the record whenever stock is issued or returned. Solid and solution are separate entries. Unlabelled bench bottles are the usual gap.
What must it be kept apart from?
Acids and oxidisers. Barium chloride should be kept in its designated toxic chemical storage area, separate from incompatible stock. Contact with acids does not ordinarily release a toxic gas from barium chloride. A locked toxic cabinet clear of food and drink areas is the right place.
