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Chemical collection and stock control for UK schools, universities and hospitals

Butylamine (CAS 109-73-9): storage and disposal

Prep rooms in schools, colleges and universities sometimes inherit butylamine, a neat amine liquid with a sharp fishy smell. It is classified as highly flammable, harmful by swallowing, skin contact and inhalation, and it causes severe skin burns and eye damage. Stock is often a single old bottle that outlived the course it was bought for.

CAS number
109-73-9
Form
Liquid
Storage class
Flammable
Signal word
Danger
Usual EWC code, laboratory stock
16 05 06*
  • Flammable pictogramFlammable
  • Corrosive pictogramCorrosive
  • Harmful or irritant pictogramHarmful or irritant

What to do this week

  1. Without moving anything that looks damaged, check the label is readable and write down the opened date if it is not already there.
  2. Check it is stored as flammable 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.
  3. 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

School prep rooms most often hold butylamine as one small bottle, and the usual mistake is leaving it on an open shelf with general reagents. It belongs in the ventilated fire-resistant cabinet, in a tray, away from ignition sources and oxidisers. Keep it apart from hypochlorites and chlorine releasing products, including sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite, chloramine T and sodium dichloroisocyanurate, as amines and these chemicals can form toxic chloramines. Acids and corrosive bottles stay on other shelves, since acid fumes attack caps and a leak of corrosive stock can break down a flammable container. Date the bottle on arrival, because amines are rarely used up.

How to tell it has deteriorated

Amines pick up colour with age, so a bottle of butylamine that has turned yellow or brown has been on the shelf too long or let air in. Strong smell around the cabinet, a lower level than the record shows, crusting around the cap or a label stained by drips are the other things to look for. Bulging or sucked-in plastic is another warning. Because the vapour is harmful by inhalation and the liquid burns skin, nobody should unscrew an old bottle to inspect it. Where the label has gone, the contents are unknown and should be treated as a highly flammable corrosive amine.

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 flammable laboratory pack with compatible chemicals.

Specialist collection is the only way butylamine leaves the site. Say it is a neat liquid, give the volume and cap condition, and copy the label wording exactly. The discarded organic chemical code usually applies when it is collected outside a lab pack. It must never be tipped into a sink, left to evaporate or mixed with acid or bleach to make it milder. In the collection the bottle is packed upright, in compatible packaging, away from hypochlorites, acids and oxidisers, and the carrier prepares the paperwork for a hazardous movement, which the producer still signs and keeps.

Waste codes for Butylamine
Usual EWC code, laboratory stock16 05 06*
Discarded organic chemical, not a laboratory pack16 05 08*
Usually classed as hazardous wasteYes

20 01 13* (solvents) belongs to municipal collections and is shown for reference only. It is not the normal code for a laboratory collection.

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

  • OxidiserOxidisers can ignite flammable materials or make a fire far more intense.
  • AcidSome acids, especially oxidising acids, can ignite flammable materials, and acid fumes attack containers and seals.
  • CorrosiveA leak of corrosive stock can break down flammable containers and feed a fire.

Named chemicals to keep apart

  • Acetic acidOxidising acids can ignite flammable materials, and acid fumes attack containers and seals.
  • Calcium hypochloriteHypochlorites and ammonia or amines form toxic chloramine gases.
  • Chloramine THypochlorites and ammonia or amines form toxic chloramine gases.
  • Hydrochloric acidOxidising acids can ignite flammable materials, and acid fumes attack containers and seals.
  • Hydrogen peroxideOxidisers can ignite flammable materials or make a fire far more intense.
  • Nitric acidOxidising acids can ignite flammable materials, and acid fumes attack containers and seals.
  • Potassium nitrateOxidisers can ignite flammable materials or make a fire far more intense.
  • Potassium permanganateOxidisers can ignite flammable materials or make a fire far more intense.
Show 5 more
  • Sodium dichloroisocyanurateHypochlorites and ammonia or amines form toxic chloramine gases.
  • Sodium hypochloriteHypochlorites and ammonia or amines form toxic chloramine gases.
  • Sulfuric acidOxidising acids can ignite flammable materials, and acid fumes attack containers and seals.
  • Thionyl chlorideA leak of corrosive stock can break down flammable containers and feed a fire.
  • Zinc chlorideA leak of corrosive stock can break down flammable containers and feed a fire.

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

  • H225 Highly flammable liquid and vapour.
  • H302 Harmful if swallowed.
  • H312 Harmful in contact with skin.
  • H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
  • H332 Harmful if inhaled.
  • H335 May cause respiratory irritation.
Precautionary statements
  • P210 Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking.
  • P233 Keep container tightly closed.
  • P240 Ground and bond container and receiving equipment.
  • P241 Use explosion-proof electrical, ventilating and lighting equipment.
  • P242 Use non-sparking tools.
  • P243 Take action to prevent static discharges.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • P301+P330+P331 IF SWALLOWED: Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting.
  • P302+P352 IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water.
  • P302+P361+P354 IF ON SKIN: Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Immediately rinse with water for several minutes.
  • P303+P361+P353 IF ON SKIN (or hair): Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse skin with water or shower.
  • 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.
  • P321 Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instruction on this label).
  • P330 Rinse mouth.
  • P362+P364 Take off contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.
  • P363 Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.
  • P370+P378 In case of fire: Use suitable extinguishing media to extinguish.
  • P403+P235 Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep cool.
  • P405 Store locked up.
  • P501 Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local, regional, national and international regulations.
  • P262 Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing.
  • P264+P265 Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after handling. Do not touch eyes.
  • P284 In case of inadequate ventilation wear respiratory protection.
  • P319 Get medical help if you feel unwell.
  • P320 Specific treatment is urgent (see supplemental first aid instruction on this label).
  • P361+P364 Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.
  • P403+P233 Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.

Substance as classified, dilutions may differ.

Questions

Does butylamine need the flammables cabinet in a school?

Yes. It is classified as highly flammable, so it sits in a fire-resistant cabinet with a tray, away from ignition sources, oxidisers, acids and hypochlorites.

What is the risk of storing it near bleach?

Bleach-type hypochlorites with amines form chloramine gases, which are harmful to breathe. Keep them in separate cabinets, on separate shelves, and never decant or carry both together on one trolley.

Our bottle has turned yellow. Is that a problem?

Discolouration shows the amine has aged or taken in air. It stays classified as flammable and corrosive, so leave it closed and unmoved and ask for collection.

Guidance only. Check your own risk assessment and your supplier's safety data sheet.

Hazard data source: PubChem GHS Classification, retrieved 31 Oct 2026. Formula C4H11N. EC number 203-699-2.

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