Benzyl chloride (CAS 100-44-7): storage and disposal
Benzyl chloride is kept in college and university stores, normally in a small glass bottle in the locked cabinet. It is harmful if swallowed, toxic if inhaled, irritating to skin and airways, causes serious eye damage, may cause cancer and may damage organs on repeated exposure. Its vapour is the main concern, so the state of the cap and the dryness of the store matter more than the level in the bottle.
- CAS number
- 100-44-7
- Form
- Liquid
- Storage class
- Toxic
- Signal word
- Danger
- Usual EWC code
- 16 05 06*
Corrosive
Acute toxicity
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
A quick check at the shelf is to see that the cap seats firmly and that nothing damp sits nearby, since benzyl chloride is sensitive to moisture and its vapour irritates eyes and airways. It belongs in a locked cabinet with a stock record, away from food and drink areas and from acids and oxidisers. Handle it only in a fume cupboard, with eye protection, because it causes serious eye damage and is toxic if inhaled. Metal shelving and metal caps may be attacked over time, so use a plastic tray and glass bottle. Keep the number of handlers short.
How to tell it has deteriorated
Old benzyl chloride can make itself known before the bottle is opened. Moisture slowly attacks it, so look for a cap that is corroded or crusted, fumes or sharp smell in the cabinet, and a liner that has perished. A bottle that has changed colour or has a ring of residue at the neck should be left alone. The vapour irritates eyes and airways, so a bottle that smells in the room is reported, not investigated. Stained labels and a lower level than the mark are also common, as is bulging from pressure in a warm store.
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.
Specialist collection is the only route for benzyl chloride, packed with compatible halogenated organics by the collector. It must not be poured away, evaporated or neutralised, and nobody should try to open a corroded bottle to tidy it up. Tell the collector about cap corrosion, smell or bulging in advance, because those details change how it is handled. The list code is 16 05 06* for packed laboratory stock, and a loose discarded organic chemical not sent in a pack can use 16 05 08*. Keep it in the locked cabinet until collection.
| EWC code, laboratory chemicals | 16 05 06* |
|---|---|
| Discarded organic chemical, not a laboratory pack | 16 05 08* |
| 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: neat.
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.
- H315 Causes skin irritation.
- H318 Causes serious eye damage.
- H331 Toxic if inhaled.
- H335 May cause respiratory irritation.
- H350 May cause cancer.
- H373 May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- P332+P317 If skin irritation occurs: Get medical help.
- P362+P364 Take off contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.
- 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 benzyl chloride bottle smells in the cabinet. What should we do?
Do not open it. Ventilate the area from a safe distance, keep people away from the cabinet and report it to your site lead. The vapour is toxic if inhaled and irritates eyes and airways. Tell the collector about the smell when booking.
Why does benzyl chloride need eye protection?
It is classified as causing serious eye damage and its vapour irritates the eyes and airways. Work only in a fume cupboard with eye protection, and treat any splash to the eyes as an emergency requiring immediate medical help.
Is it fine to keep benzyl chloride in a metal cap bottle?
Prefer glass with a suitable plastic liner, since moisture and the liquid can attack metal over time. If an old bottle has a corroded cap, leave it alone on a tray and tell the collector.
