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

Chloramine T (CAS 127-65-1): storage and disposal

Labs, clinics and veterinary stores know chloramine T as a chlorine-releasing disinfectant and a laboratory reagent, held as the trihydrate. It is classified as harmful if swallowed, as causing severe skin burns and eye damage, and as a sensitiser of both skin and airways. The sensitiser classification is the reason it needs more care than a white powder in a jar suggests.

CAS number
127-65-1
Form
Solid
Storage class
Corrosive
Signal word
Danger
Usual EWC code
16 05 06*
  • Corrosive pictogramCorrosive
  • Harmful or irritant pictogramHarmful or irritant
  • Serious health hazard pictogramSerious health hazard

What to do this week

  1. Check the label is readable and write down the opened date if it is not already there.
  2. Check it is stored as corrosive stock and apart from the items listed under "Do not store with".
  3. 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

The hazard that decides where it goes is its chemistry as a chlorine-releasing salt. Keep it away from ammonia solution, ammonium salts, diethylamine and other amines, because chlorine-releasing compounds and ammonia or amines form chloramine gases. Keep it away from acids, which can release chlorine-containing gas on contact, and separate it from solvents including acetone and ethanol. In a school prep room, keep it away from solvents, ammonia and acids, in a designated compatible location with suitable secondary containment. Do not place it with acid stock simply because both products carry corrosive classifications. Because it is a respiratory sensitiser, keep the jar tightly closed, and do not use a scoop that has been left in the powder.

How to tell it has deteriorated

A clean, white, free-flowing powder is what a sound jar holds. Chlorine-releasing salts slowly give up their chlorine, so a jar that smells strongly of chlorine, has clumped or caked, or has a damp look under the lid has taken in moisture. Check also for corroded caps and rust on metal fittings nearby, since chlorine fumes attack metal, a stained label, a yellow tinge to the powder, and crust round the neck. Do not open a jar to test the smell. Any jar that is undated, caked or showing corrosion on its cap is stock to list for collection.

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 corrosive other laboratory pack with compatible chemicals.

Before asking for a collection, write down the name as printed, the trihydrate form, how many jars there are and where each sits relative to the solvents and ammonia in the store. A corrosive solid with a sensitiser classification, it is packed separately from any ammonia, amine or solvent stock in the same collection. Its codes are 16 05 06*, 18 01 06* for a human healthcare setting and 18 02 05* for a veterinary practice. Spilled powder and unwanted jars must not go in a sink, general waste or a clinical waste bin, and nobody should try to treat the stock. A registered carrier collects it.

Waste codes and transport details for Chloramine T
EWC code, laboratory chemicals16 05 06*
Discarded organic chemical, not a laboratory pack16 05 08*
Human healthcare setting18 01 06*
Veterinary setting18 02 05*
Hazardous wasteYes

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

  • FlammableA leak of corrosive stock can break down flammable containers and feed a fire.
  • OxidiserCorrosive stock can react with oxidisers, releasing heat or fumes.

Named chemicals to keep apart

  • AcetoneHypochlorites react with these solvents, releasing heat and chlorinated products.
  • Ammonia gasHypochlorites and ammonia or amines form toxic chloramine gases.
  • Ammonia solutionHypochlorites and ammonia or amines form toxic chloramine gases.
  • Ammonium chlorideHypochlorites and ammonia or amines form toxic chloramine gases.
  • Ammonium nitrateHypochlorites and ammonia or amines form toxic chloramine gases.
  • Ammonium sulfateHypochlorites and ammonia or amines form toxic chloramine gases.
  • Calcium hypochloriteCorrosive stock can react with oxidisers, releasing heat or fumes.
  • DiethylamineHypochlorites and ammonia or amines form toxic chloramine gases.
Show 16 more
  • EthanolHypochlorites react with these solvents, releasing heat and chlorinated products.
  • EthanolamineHypochlorites and ammonia or amines form toxic chloramine gases.
  • HexaneA leak of corrosive stock can break down flammable containers and feed a fire.
  • Hydrobromic acidHypochlorites release toxic chlorine gas in contact with acids.
  • Hydrochloric acidHypochlorites release toxic chlorine gas in contact with acids.
  • Hydrogen peroxideCorrosive stock can react with oxidisers, releasing heat or fumes.
  • Hydroiodic acidHypochlorites release toxic chlorine gas in contact with acids.
  • IsopropanolHypochlorites react with these solvents, releasing heat and chlorinated products.
  • MethanolHypochlorites react with these solvents, releasing heat and chlorinated products.
  • Nitric acidHypochlorites release toxic chlorine gas in contact with acids.
  • Perchloric acidHypochlorites release toxic chlorine gas in contact with acids.
  • Phosphoric acidHypochlorites release toxic chlorine gas in contact with acids.
  • Potassium nitrateCorrosive stock can react with oxidisers, releasing heat or fumes.
  • Sulfuric acidHypochlorites release toxic chlorine gas in contact with acids.
  • Trichloroacetic acidHypochlorites release toxic chlorine gas in contact with acids.
  • TriethylamineHypochlorites and ammonia or amines form toxic chloramine gases.

Common quantities we collect

Usually held as: trihydrate.

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.
  • H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
  • H317 May cause an allergic skin reaction.
  • H334 May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled.
Precautionary statements
  • P233 Keep container tightly closed.
  • P260 Do not breathe 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.
  • P284 In case of inadequate ventilation wear respiratory protection.
  • P301+P317 IF SWALLOWED: Get medical help.
  • P301+P330+P331 IF SWALLOWED: Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting.
  • P302+P361+P354 IF ON SKIN: Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Immediately rinse with water for several minutes.
  • 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.
  • P321 Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instruction on this label).
  • P330 Rinse mouth.
  • P342+P316 If experiencing respiratory symptoms: Get emergency medical help immediately.
  • P363 Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.
  • P403 Store in a well-ventilated place.
  • P405 Store locked up.
  • P501 Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local, regional, national and international regulations.
  • P261 Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
  • P264+P265 Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after handling. Do not touch eyes.
  • P272 Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace.
  • P302+P352 IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water.
  • P317 Get medical help.
  • P333+P317 If skin irritation or rash occurs: Get medical help.
  • P362+P364 Take off contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.

Substance as classified, dilutions may differ.

Questions

Why must chloramine T be kept away from ammonia and amines?

Chlorine-releasing compounds react with ammonia and amines to form chloramine gases, so the two groups should never share a shelf, tray or cabinet. Acetone and ethanol also react with it, giving heat and chlorinated products.

Our jar smells of chlorine. Is that a problem?

It suggests the cap is not sealing or the contents are breaking down. Do not open it to check. Move other stock away if you can do so safely, record the jar and list it for collection.

Where is it stored in a vet practice?

In a designated compatible chemical storage area, low down on a resistant tray, away from acids, ammonia products and incompatible solvents such as alcohol. Date the jar and keep a record, since it is a sensitiser.

How should an old jar of chloramine T be dealt with?

Diluting it, treating it or washing it away is not acceptable. It is a corrosive waste and goes through specialist collection, packed away from ammonia, amines and solvents.

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 C7H7ClNNaO2S. EC number 204-854-7.

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