Mitomycin C (CAS 50-07-7): storage and disposal
Mitomycin C reaches hospital pharmacies as injection vials of blue-violet powder, used in bladder cancer treatment and eye surgery as well as chemotherapy. University labs also hold it for cell culture work. As a substance it is fatal if swallowed and suspected of causing cancer. The contents of a clinical vial may be less hazardous than the pure powder, and its distinctive colour helps identification. Form, amount and whether it is pharmacy stock or a research aliquot decide the description.
- CAS number
- 50-07-7
- Form
- Solid
- Storage class
- Toxic
- Signal word
- Danger
- Usual EWC code
- 16 05 06*
Acute toxicity
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
Look through the carton window or at the vial itself on any routine check: a dark blue-violet powder or plug inside an intact seal is what should be there, and a label should go with it. Light damages mitomycin, so the vial belongs in its carton in a locked cytotoxic store with a stock record. In a university cell culture lab, the likely problem is small tubes of made-up solution in a freezer box, labelled with only initials and a date. These should have a written location, and the owner's name should be traced. Keep them away from shared food-grade or media stock. Oxidisers and acids need a separate location. Clinical and research holdings should each keep their own record.
How to tell it has deteriorated
Blue-violet powder is normal, so the intense colour does not itself suggest a problem. Fading, patches of a different colour, or a powder that has turned damp or stuck to the glass are not normal, and a cracked vial or lifted crimp cap should be reported. Made-up solutions are less stable than the dry powder, so tubes kept for a long period can be spoiled even if they retain some colour. Coloured staining on the outside of a tube or inside a storage box is a sign that something has leaked. Faint blue marks on a shelf or tray deserve attention for the same reason. There are few other visual signs, so dates and records carry the weight.
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.
Grouping is simple once the item is correctly identified: mitomycin vials go with other cytotoxic medicines, separate from routine pharmacy returns, and packed so that glass is protected. A hospital pharmacy normally uses 18 01 08*. Research tubes and powder are discarded chemicals and should be listed separately, with 16 05 06* the likely code, and UN 2811 relevant if there is pure material to transport. Say how many research tubes there are, even roughly, and whether their contents are known. Specialist collection is the only route. Aliquots should stay frozen or stored as they are until then. No tube should be rinsed out into a sink, and nobody should try to combine them first.
| EWC code, laboratory chemicals | 16 05 06* |
|---|---|
| Discarded organic chemical, not a laboratory pack | 16 05 08* |
| Human healthcare setting | 18 01 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
- 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: injection.
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
- H300 Fatal if swallowed.
- H351 Suspected of causing cancer.
Precautionary statements
- P203 Obtain, read and follow all safety instructions before use.
- P264 Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after handling.
- P270 Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
- P280 Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
- P301+P316 IF SWALLOWED: Get emergency medical help immediately.
- P318 If exposed or concerned, get medical advice.
- P321 Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instruction on this label).
- P330 Rinse mouth.
- 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
How can we identify an old unlabelled blue tube in the cell culture freezer?
You may not be able to, and nobody should open it to find out. Colour suggests mitomycin but does not prove it. Check freezer lists and ask previous users, then record it as a suspected item with its location. Leave it frozen, and describe it as unconfirmed when requesting collection.
Is an unopened clinical mitomycin vial grouped with chemotherapy drugs for collection?
Yes. It is normally listed with other cytotoxic medicines from the pharmacy, kept apart from routine returns. Quote the vial strength, batch and number, keep the vials in their cartons, and ask your pharmacy lead if different departments hold stock, as bladder and eye services may keep their own.
Does mitomycin need any light protection while awaiting collection?
Keeping it in the original carton is the simplest answer. Light can damage it, and the carton also keeps the label and batch details together. The item is going for disposal, so no extra steps are needed, but it should stay locked away and clearly marked as not for use.
