Lead metal (CAS 7439-92-1): storage and disposal
Lead foil, shot and powder linger in school, college and university stores long after the teaching that needed them. It is harmful if swallowed or inhaled, may damage fertility and the unborn child, and is very toxic to aquatic life. Old open jars on a teaching shelf are the usual problem, and a stock record is the first thing to find.
- CAS number
- 7439-92-1
- Form
- Solid
- Storage class
- Toxic
- Signal word
- Danger
- Usual EWC code
- 16 05 06*
Harmful or irritant
Serious health hazard
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 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 lead away from hydrogen peroxide, which metals break down with release of oxygen and pressure, from sodium azide, which forms shock sensitive azides with lead, and from picric acid, Bouin's fluid and ammonium picrate, which form shock sensitive picrates with metals. Beyond that, lead is toxic stock and belongs in a locked cabinet with a stock record, away from food and drink areas, acids and oxidisers. It may cause harm to breast-fed children and damage organs through prolonged or repeated exposure, so foil, shot and powder all deserve the same care. Open trays or unlabelled jars on a teaching shelf should be replaced by a closed, labelled container inside the cabinet.
How to tell it has deteriorated
Bright lead dulls quickly to a soft grey, and a whitish powdery coating can build up on foil and shot kept in damp air. That coating is a compound of lead, not dirt. Powder and fine debris mark hands, paper and shelves, so grey smears under an old jar are worth noting. Shot that has weathered may stick together in a crust. Beyond the metal, check the container itself: a faded label, staining around the cap, a failed seal, a lost stock record and any unexpected colour or caking. A missing record matters here because nobody can then say how much was held or who had access.
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.
In a lab pack lead is placed in a compatible group in UN approved packaging, apart from oxidisers, acids, hydrogen peroxide and sodium azide. The usual laboratory waste entry is 16 05 06*. The applicable UN number must be confirmed from the form, composition and transport classification before collection. Hazardous waste paperwork applies, with special waste consignment documentation in Scotland. The only route is specialist collection: lead must not go into a sink, a drain, a general waste bin or a skip, and nobody should try to melt or treat it first. Record the form held, foil, shot or powder, and the state of the container.
| EWC code, laboratory chemicals | 16 05 06* |
|---|---|
| Discarded inorganic chemical, not a laboratory pack | 16 05 07* |
| 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.
- Ammonium picratePicric acid forms shock sensitive metal picrates with metals.
- 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 peroxideMetals speed the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide, releasing oxygen and pressure.
- Nitric acidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
- Picric acidPicric acid forms shock sensitive metal picrates with metals.
- Potassium nitrateToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
Show 3 more
- Potassium permanganateToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
- Sodium azideAzides form shock sensitive metal azides with lead, copper, brass and similar metals.
- 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: foil, shot, powder.
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.
- H332 Harmful if inhaled.
- H360FD May damage fertility. May damage the unborn child.
- H362 May cause harm to breast-fed children.
- H372 Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure.
- H410 Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
Precautionary statements
- P203 Obtain, read and follow all safety instructions before use.
- P260 Do not breathe dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
- P263 Avoid contact during pregnancy and while nursing.
- P264 Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after handling.
- P270 Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
- P273 Avoid release to the environment.
- P280 Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
- P318 If exposed or concerned, get medical advice.
- P391 Collect spillage.
- 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.
- P271 Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
- P301+P317 IF SWALLOWED: Get medical help.
- P304+P340 IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
- P317 Get medical help.
- P319 Get medical help if you feel unwell.
- P330 Rinse mouth.
Substance as classified, dilutions may differ.
Questions
Can lead shot from an old teaching cupboard be thrown away on site?
No. Lead carries reproductive and organ damage hazards and is very toxic to aquatic life, and it is hazardous waste. It does not go into general waste, a skip or a drain, and nobody should try to melt or treat it. Keep it labelled in its container and arrange specialist collection.
Does lead need to be locked away?
Toxic stock goes in a locked cabinet with a stock record, away from food and drink areas, acids and oxidisers. Lead may damage fertility and the unborn child and is harmful if swallowed or inhaled, so a record of what is held is worthwhile.
Is the white coating on old lead foil a problem?
A whitish bloom on old foil or shot is a lead compound formed in damp air. It does not make the stock any less hazardous. Do not scrub or wipe it, note the condition in the stock record, and keep the container closed until collection.
