Fipronil (CAS 120068-37-3): storage and disposal
Spot-on flea treatment pipettes in cartons are the usual form of fipronil in a veterinary practice. The pure substance is classified as toxic if swallowed, in contact with skin and if inhaled, as causing organ damage through prolonged or repeated exposure, and as very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. Spot-on products contain fipronil in formulations whose classifications depend on their composition. Repeated exposure to fipronil is a concern where contact with the substance occurs, particularly through leaking or damaged products.
- CAS number
- 120068-37-3
- Form
- Liquid
- Storage class
- Toxic
- Signal word
- Danger
- Usual EWC code, laboratory stock
- 16 05 06*
Acute toxicity
Serious health hazard
Hazardous to the environment
What to do this week
- Without moving anything that looks damaged, 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 anything listed under "Do not store with" on this page. If nothing is listed, that does not prove it is safe with everything.
- 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
Check the cartons first. A pipette that has leaked leaves a damp patch on the box, and one split carton can contaminate its neighbours. Because the classification covers skin contact and inhalation as well as swallowing, it belongs in a locked cabinet with a stock record, apart from the reception retail shelf, from food and drink, and from acids and oxidising stock. Toxic and oxidising chemicals are stored apart because a reaction could release toxic vapours. Handle cartons by the outside, do not open a box at the front desk, and keep different pack sizes labelled separately. Rotate stock and mark opened cartons with the date.
How to tell it has deteriorated
Pipettes should be sealed, clean and dry, with the liquid clear inside the tube. Look for a carton with a damp or oily patch, a pipette with a split, a bent or loose tip, a stained label, a sticky residue on the foil, and cartons that have been crushed. There is little else to see, so the container does the telling. A leaking pipette is the main visible fault. Keep the leaking carton away from other stock in a labelled tray. Any pipette that is undated, past its printed date or unreadable should go on the collection list.
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 toxic laboratory pack with compatible chemicals.
Start with what must not be done with it: pipettes are not squeezed out, not emptied onto a surface or into a sink, and not put in clinical waste, because the product is very toxic to aquatic life. List each carton or loose pipette with product name, strength, count and condition, and say which are leaking. Veterinary spot-on medicines require classification against the applicable medicinal waste entries, including 18 02 08 and, where the medicine counts as cytotoxic or cytostatic under the waste classification guidance, 18 02 07*. Neat laboratory fipronil is classified separately. The documentation follows the confirmed classification. Used empty pipettes and part-used ones should be listed as well. A registered carrier collects them in sealed packaging.
| Usual EWC code, laboratory stock | 16 05 06* |
|---|---|
| Discarded organic chemical, not a laboratory pack | 16 05 08* |
| Veterinary setting | 18 02 08 |
| Usually classed as hazardous waste | Yes |
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
- 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
Usually held as: spot-on.
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
- H301 Toxic if swallowed.
- H311 Toxic in contact with skin.
- H331 Toxic if inhaled.
- H372 Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure.
- H410 Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
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.
- P302+P352 IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water.
- P304+P340 IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
- P316 Get emergency medical help immediately.
- P319 Get medical help if you feel unwell.
- 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.
- 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.
Substance as classified, dilutions may differ.
Questions
Can expired spot-on pipettes go in the clinical waste?
No. The substance is classified as toxic by three routes and as very toxic to aquatic life, so expired and part-used pipettes are chemical waste for specialist collection. Keep them boxed and labelled.
What do we do with a leaking pipette?
Keep it away from other stock, in a labelled tray, and avoid contact with skin. Do not squeeze it out or wipe it up with ordinary paper towels. List it for collection and say it is leaking.
Where should it be stored in a practice?
In a locked cabinet with a stock record, apart from the reception retail shelf, from food and drink, and from acids and oxidising stock. Date opened cartons and keep sizes separate.
Why is repeated handling a concern?
Pure fipronil has a repeated-exposure organ toxicity classification. Leaking or damaged pipettes can create direct exposure, so their condition should be reported and unnecessary contact avoided. Handle cartons by the outside and report any damage.