N,N'-Methylenebisacrylamide (CAS 110-26-9): storage and disposal
N,N'-Methylenebisacrylamide is the cross linker used alongside acrylamide in gel work, held in university and pathology laboratories as a solid and as a 2% solution. It is toxic if swallowed, harmful in contact with skin and if inhaled, may cause genetic defects and causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure. It is handled like acrylamide, and the two are usually found on the same shelf.
- CAS number
- 110-26-9
- Form
- Solid
- Storage class
- Toxic
- Signal word
- Danger
- Usual EWC code, laboratory stock
- 16 05 06*
Acute toxicity
Serious health hazard
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
Keep it away from acids and oxidisers, which are stored apart from toxic stock because a reaction could release hazardous vapours. Because it can polymerise, keep it away from heat and sunlight, and avoid a warm shelf. Hold the powder in a locked cabinet with a stock record, away from food and drink areas, and keep any 2% solution in a labelled bottle on a tray. Store it with the acrylamide stock list, since the two are usually used together and go off together. Wear gloves for every transfer, and keep caps tight. Date every bottle when it is opened.
How to tell it has deteriorated
On the shelf, a technician sees the powder first. A free-flowing white powder that has clumped or looks damp has taken in water through a loose lid. A 2% solution that has gone cloudy, thick or has solid lumps has probably started to polymerise, and the bottle should be left unopened. Look at the neck for crust, at the label for fading and at the glass for cracks. Check the stock record against the jar, because bottles of cross linker are often decanted into small labelled tubes whose writing wears off. A swollen or bulging bottle is never opened to look.
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 We do not publish a drain or general waste route for any chemical.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.
Record what is actually held: powder, bottles of solution, or tubes decanted for a particular group. List every container with its label, size and condition, and say whether the solution has thickened. Waste code 16 05 06* is the usual description, with 18 01 06* in a human healthcare laboratory and 16 05 08* for a discarded organic chemical outside a pack. Used gels can contain residual monomer. List them for specialist collection, with their hazardous waste classification confirmed from their composition. It never goes into a sink, never gets heated to set it, and nobody should treat it first. A lab pack carries it away.
| Usual EWC code, laboratory stock | 16 05 06* |
|---|---|
| Discarded organic chemical, not a laboratory pack | 16 05 08* |
| Human healthcare setting | 18 01 06* |
| 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: solid, 2% solution.
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.
- H312 Harmful in contact with skin.
- H332 Harmful if inhaled.
- H340 May cause genetic defects.
- H372 Causes 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.
- P261 Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
- P264 Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after handling.
- P264+P265 Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after handling. Do not touch eyes.
- P270 Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
- P271 Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
- P272 Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace.
- P301+P316 IF SWALLOWED: Get emergency medical help immediately.
- P301+P317 IF SWALLOWED: Get medical help.
- P302+P352 IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water.
- P304+P340 IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
- P305+P354+P338 IF IN EYES: Immediately rinse with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
- P317 Get medical help.
- P319 Get medical help if you feel unwell.
- 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.
Substance as classified, dilutions may differ.
Questions
Is methylenebisacrylamide handled the same way as acrylamide?
Yes, in practice. It is toxic if swallowed, may cause genetic defects and damages organs through prolonged exposure, so the same gloves, locked storage and separate waste record apply. Keep it with the acrylamide stock list.
Our 2% solution has gone cloudy. Is it usable?
Cloudiness or lumps suggest it has started to polymerise. Do not open or warm it. Label it as aged stock, leave it in a tray and list it for collection with its volume.
Can we throw out used gels with the general bin waste?
Do not put them in general waste before their classification is confirmed. Used gels can contain residual monomer, so list them for specialist collection. Collect them in a labelled container and list them with the powders and solutions.
What names should we write on the waste record?
Both N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide and methylenebisacrylamide appear on labels. Record whichever is printed, plus the CAS number if there is one, so the collection description matches the container.
