Basic fuchsin (CAS 632-99-5): storage and disposal
Magenta powder that colours everything it touches, basic fuchsin is the dye behind Schiff reagent, so histology and pathology stores hold it as powder and as reagent stock, with school and college labs holding small jars. It is classified as harmful if swallowed and as suspected of causing cancer. The cancer entry is what sets the locked storage, and the Schiff stock held in the same cupboard needs to be listed separately from the powder.
- CAS number
- 632-99-5
- Form
- Solid
- Storage class
- Toxic
- Signal word
- Warning
- Usual EWC code
- 16 05 06*
Harmful or irritant
Serious health hazard
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 of the suspected cancer classification, basic fuchsin goes into a locked cabinet with a stock record, away from food and drink areas and apart from oxidisers and acids. Powder bottles stay capped and dated. Schiff reagent stock is a different matter: the liquid is kept in a closed bottle in the same cabinet, but labelled as its own item and not left mixed with the powder shelf. In a histology room the bottle on the bench is likely to be a working portion, so check the stock cabinet holds only sealed originals. Wipe the thread before capping, since magenta crust is the first sign of a poor closure.
How to tell it has deteriorated
A sound bottle of powder is dry and free flowing, a deep magenta or green-bronze, and the cap is clean. Staining at the neck, a magenta smear on the label or caked powder suggest the seal is poor or moisture has entered. Schiff reagent has its own tell. Made colourless, it is meant to stay that way until it meets an aldehyde, so stock that has turned pink or purple on the shelf has lost its sulfite and is no longer behaving as intended. A bottle with a faded label, a cracked shoulder or no date of receipt is an unknown and should be listed as such, not opened to find out.
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.
The waste code for this dye is 16 05 06* in a prep room, research store or school, and 18 01 06* where a human healthcare service is clearing it. Spend the description on what is in the container: powder jar, Schiff reagent stock or both, plus size and the number of bottles. A pink or purple Schiff bottle should be flagged as aged. Keep each sealed and upright. Neither the powder nor the liquid may go into a sink, a drain or a skip, and no one should try to decolourise or bleach a magenta residue first.
| 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, Schiff reagent stock.
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.
- H351 Suspected of causing cancer.
Precautionary statements
- P203 Obtain, read and follow all safety instructions before use.
- P264 Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after handling.
- P270 Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
- P280 Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
- P301+P317 IF SWALLOWED: Get medical help.
- P318 If exposed or concerned, get medical advice.
- P330 Rinse mouth.
- 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
Is Schiff reagent stock listed with the powder or separately?
Separately. The powder is a dry solid and the reagent stock is a liquid prepared from it, so they have different containers and are packed as different lines on the request.
Why has our Schiff stock turned pink?
Reagent that is meant to be colourless turning pink or purple on standing has lost its sulfite and no longer behaves as it should. Treat the bottle as aged stock, record the date and list it for collection.
Does basic fuchsin need a locked cabinet?
Yes, the classification includes suspected cancer and harm if swallowed, so a locked cabinet with a stock record, away from food and drink and from oxidisers and acids, is the right arrangement.
Can a half-used jar with no date stay in use?
A jar without a date or record is of unknown age. If the cap is clean, the powder dry and the label readable it can be recorded and monitored, but a crusted or damp jar should be listed for collection.
