Formamide (CAS 75-12-7): storage and disposal
Formamide is a polar liquid held as a neat solvent in university laboratories and pathology stores, usually in small bottles used for molecular work. It is suspected of causing cancer, may damage the unborn child and may cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure. It freezes at around fridge temperature, so a bottle kept cold may be solid, which does not mean it has gone off.
- CAS number
- 75-12-7
- Form
- Liquid
- Storage class
- Toxic
- Signal word
- Danger
- Usual EWC code
- 16 05 06*
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
Keep it away from acids and oxidisers, which are stored apart from this class of stock because a reaction could release hazardous vapours. Use a locked cabinet with a stock record, away from food and drink areas. Because of the reproductive and long-term organ hazards, access should be limited to staff who have been told what it is. A molecular pathology or research group may keep small decanted bottles in a refrigerator, and these need the same label as the original with the date. Keep caps tight, since the liquid takes up water from the air.
How to tell it has deteriorated
Two things stand out. A bottle that has been kept cold may be solid or part set, which is a physical change, and the other is a smell of ammonia on opening, which suggests the liquid has slowly broken down with moisture. Check the label for staining and the cap for a seal that no longer grips. Look at the level against the record, at the glass for cracks after a freeze, and at the neck for a wet or crusted ring. A decanted bottle with a handwritten label that has faded is treated as unknown stock.
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.
Record what to hand over: the bottle size, the fill, whether it was found frozen, and any ammonia smell. Small decanted aliquots from a molecular pathology bench are listed individually with the label as written. The liquid is packed in a lab pack with compatible organic liquids, described under waste code 16 05 06*, or 18 01 06* in a human healthcare laboratory and 16 05 08* for a discarded organic chemical outside a pack. Because it is suspected of causing cancer, it is never poured into a sink, put in a bin or left to evaporate, and nobody should treat it first.
| EWC code, laboratory chemicals | 16 05 06* |
|---|---|
| Discarded organic chemical, not a laboratory pack | 16 05 08* |
| Human healthcare setting | 18 01 06* |
| 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
- H351 Suspected of causing cancer.
- H360D May damage the unborn child.
- H373 May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure.
Precautionary statements
- P203 Obtain, read and follow all safety instructions before use.
- P280 Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
- P318 If exposed or concerned, get medical advice.
- P405 Store locked up.
- P501 Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local, regional, national and international regulations.
- P260 Do not breathe dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
- P319 Get medical help if you feel unwell.
Substance as classified, dilutions may differ.
Questions
Our formamide has frozen in the fridge. What should we do?
Leave it closed and upright. Freezing is a physical change, not a sign that it has gone off. Check the glass for cracks once it is at room temperature, and tell the collector it was found frozen.
Why does an old formamide bottle smell of ammonia?
The liquid slowly breaks down with moisture, which can release ammonia. Keep the cap tight, do not open the bottle to check, and declare the smell when you list it for collection.
Which waste code does a pathology laboratory use?
A human healthcare setting may be described under 18 01 06*, while a university research store uses 16 05 06*. Tell the collector what type of site you are and what each bottle holds.
Who may handle formamide in our lab?
Only staff who have been told it may damage the unborn child and is suspected of causing cancer. Keep it in the locked cabinet with a stock record, and follow your own risk assessment for gloves and ventilation.
