Methyl salicylate (CAS 119-36-8): storage and disposal
Methyl salicylate is the liquid known as oil of wintergreen, found in school and university stores, histology rooms where it has been used as a clearing agent, and pharmacy stock. It is harmful if swallowed, may cause an allergic skin reaction, is suspected of damaging the unborn child and is harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects. The pleasant smell can mislead people about how it is classified.
- CAS number
- 119-36-8
- Form
- Liquid
- Storage class
- Toxic
- Signal word
- Warning
- Usual EWC code
- 16 05 06*
Harmful or irritant
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
The hazard that decides where it goes is the classification as harmful if swallowed and suspected of damaging the unborn child, not the minty smell. Keep it in a locked cabinet with a stock record, away from food and drink areas and from acids and oxidisers. A reaction with an oxidiser could release hazardous vapours. In pharmacy and histology stores it may sit in a small amber or clear bottle among everyday liniment ingredients, so label it clearly and keep it out of the dispensing run. Keep the cap tight, and note who has access if the store is shared with a teaching department.
How to tell it has deteriorated
Few visible signs mark this liquid as old, so the container tells you more. The liquid is clear and the main clue is a distinct smell of wintergreen around a cabinet, which points to a cap that is not sealing. Look for staining or peeling of the label, a tacky ring at the neck, a lower level than the record shows and cracks in glass or plastic. Some plastics soften in contact with it, so a distorted cap liner is worth noticing. A liquid that has darkened or clouded, or a bottle without a receipt date, should be listed as aged stock and not used.
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.
Disposal begins with how it leaves the site: by specialist collection, packed with compatible organic liquids in a lab pack. Waste code 16 05 06* applies to a laboratory holder, 18 01 06* to a human healthcare setting such as a pharmacy, and 16 05 08* where it is a discarded organic chemical outside a pack. Because it is harmful to aquatic life, it must not be washed into a drain or tipped into the ordinary bin, and staff should not treat or dilute it. Record the bottle size, the fill and any leaks. A registered carrier takes it to a permitted facility.
| 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
- H302 Harmful if swallowed.
- H317 May cause an allergic skin reaction.
- H361d Suspected of damaging the unborn child.
- H412 Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
Precautionary statements
- P203 Obtain, read and follow all safety instructions before use.
- P261 Avoid breathing 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.
- P272 Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace.
- P273 Avoid release to the environment.
- P280 Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
- P301+P317 IF SWALLOWED: Get medical help.
- P302+P352 IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water.
- P318 If exposed or concerned, get medical advice.
- P321 Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instruction on this label).
- P330 Rinse mouth.
- P333+P317 If skin irritation or rash occurs: Get medical help.
- P362+P364 Take off contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.
- 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
Is oil of wintergreen the same as methyl salicylate?
Wintergreen oil is a common name for methyl salicylate, but a product sold as a rub or liniment may be a mixture. Declare lab stock by its label and treat any pharmacy product by its own label.
Why is methyl salicylate stored in a locked cabinet?
It is harmful if swallowed and suspected of damaging the unborn child, and its sweet smell makes it easy to mistake for an ordinary household oil. A locked cabinet with a stock record controls access.
Can old methyl salicylate be emptied away after a practical?
No. It is harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects, so a drain is never a route. Keep it in its labelled bottle and list it for specialist collection.
Does a pharmacy use a different waste code?
A human healthcare setting can be described under 18 01 06*, while a school or university uses 16 05 06*. Say what kind of site you are and the collector will confirm.
