Chloroacetic acid (CAS 79-11-8): storage and disposal
Chloroacetic acid is held as a solid in school and college prep rooms and university labs. It is toxic if swallowed, in contact with skin and if inhaled, causes severe skin burns and eye damage, and is very toxic to aquatic life. Skin burns may be delayed, so a jar that looks clean may not be. It also absorbs moisture, which turns the solid into a damp, sticky problem.
- CAS number
- 79-11-8
- Form
- Solid
- Storage class
- Acid
- Signal word
- Danger
- Usual EWC code
- 16 05 06*
Corrosive
Acute toxicity
Hazardous to the environment
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 acid 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 it is toxic through the skin, swallowed and inhaled, and corrosive as well, it needs the strictest corner of the corrosive store: low down on an acid-resistant tray, in a locked section with a stock record, away from food and drink areas, from alkalis and from oxidisers. Keep the lid fully seated, because the solid absorbs moisture and can turn into a damp mass. Skin burns may be delayed, so anyone who has touched the jar or its outside should report it. Keep the container in a deep tray and never on an open shelf, and keep it labelled.
How to tell it has deteriorated
A damp or sticky solid is the first sign, because chloroacetic acid absorbs moisture. Crystals that have fused into a lump, liquid pooled at the bottom of the jar or a wet film inside the lid mean the lid has failed. Look for a perished cap, crust or stains around the neck, a cracked jar and a faded label. A sticky outside to the jar means material has escaped, and because burns may be delayed, nobody should handle it bare-handed. An undated jar or one with no stock record is a fault in itself. Anything wet or leaking should stay upright and be flagged 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 acid laboratory pack with compatible chemicals.
It must never go into a sink or drain, a bin or a skip, and it must not be dissolved, diluted or neutralised first. Because it is very toxic to aquatic life, as well as toxic and corrosive, tell the booking team all of those hazards. Record whether the solid is dry or has become a damp mass, how much is left and whether the outside of the jar is contaminated. A discarded organic chemical outside a lab pack takes 16 05 08*. The collector packs it with other organic acids and away from alkalis and oxidisers, and a leaking or sticky jar needs to be reported so it is packed appropriately.
| 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
- FlammableOxidising acids can ignite flammable materials, and acid fumes attack containers and seals.
- AlkaliAcids and alkalis react with strong heat and spattering if they meet.
- OxidiserMany oxidisers release toxic gas or become unstable in contact with acid.
- ToxicToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
Named chemicals to keep apart
- AcetoneOxidising acids can ignite flammable materials, and acid fumes attack containers and seals.
- Ammonia solutionAcids and alkalis react with strong heat and spattering if they meet.
- Calcium hypochloriteMany oxidisers release toxic gas or become unstable in contact with acid.
- EthanolOxidising acids can ignite flammable materials, and acid fumes attack containers and seals.
- FormalinToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
- HexaneOxidising acids can ignite flammable materials, and acid fumes attack containers and seals.
- Hydrogen peroxideMany oxidisers release toxic gas or become unstable in contact with acid.
- Mercury(II) chlorideToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
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- MethanolOxidising acids can ignite flammable materials, and acid fumes attack containers and seals.
- Potassium hydroxideAcids and alkalis react with strong heat and spattering if they meet.
- Potassium nitrateMany oxidisers release toxic gas or become unstable in contact with acid.
- Potassium permanganateMany oxidisers release toxic gas or become unstable in contact with acid.
- Sodium cyanideToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
- Sodium hydroxideAcids and alkalis react with strong heat and spattering if they meet.
- TolueneOxidising acids can ignite flammable materials, and acid fumes attack containers and seals.
Common quantities we collect
Usually held as: solid.
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.
- H311 Toxic in contact with skin.
- H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
- H331 Toxic if inhaled.
- H335 May cause respiratory irritation.
- H400 Very toxic to aquatic life.
Precautionary statements
- P260 Do not breathe dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
- P261 Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
- P262 Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing.
- 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.
- P273 Avoid release to the environment.
- P280 Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
- P301+P316 IF SWALLOWED: Get emergency medical help immediately.
- 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.
- 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.
- P361+P364 Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.
- P363 Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.
- P391 Collect spillage.
- 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.
- P264+P265 Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after handling. Do not touch eyes.
- P284 In case of inadequate ventilation wear respiratory protection.
- P317 Get medical help.
- P319 Get medical help if you feel unwell.
- P320 Specific treatment is urgent (see supplemental first aid instruction on this label).
Substance as classified, dilutions may differ.
Questions
Why is it a problem that chloroacetic acid burns may be delayed?
A person may not feel contact straight away, so a jar with residue on the outside can cause a burn that shows later. Anyone who has handled a damp or sticky jar should report it, and the jar should be flagged for collection.
What happens if the lid is left loose on a jar of chloroacetic acid?
The solid absorbs moisture and can turn into a damp mass, which is harder to handle and still toxic and corrosive. Keep the lid seated, and if the contents are wet or fused, leave the jar upright and list it for collection.
Where should it be stored in a school or college?
In a locked section of the corrosive store, low down on an acid-resistant tray, with a stock record, away from food areas, alkalis and oxidisers. Because it is toxic through the skin, only authorised staff should have access.
