Nitrobenzene (CAS 98-95-3): storage and disposal
In school prep rooms, college stores and university organic research labs, nitrobenzene is the pale yellow oily liquid with the almond-like smell, usually a part-used bottle from past practical work. It is toxic by swallowing, skin contact and inhalation, suspected of causing cancer and may damage fertility. Those effects, not the quantity, decide where it is stored and how it is described when it leaves.
- CAS number
- 98-95-3
- Form
- Liquid
- 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
In a school prep room nitrobenzene should be in the locked toxic cabinet, not on the organic liquids shelf with the solvents. It is toxic swallowed, through the skin and inhaled, suspected of causing cancer and may damage fertility, so it needs a stock record and a tray that holds the full bottle. Exposure can reduce the blood's ability to carry oxygen, sometimes after a delay, with blue lips or fingertips as a sign, so anyone exposed needs urgent medical attention. Keep it away from oxidisers and acids. In a university organic research lab it is more often a part-used bottle left from a project, and in a college it may predate the current staff. The label date and the name of the last person to sign it out are worth finding before anyone needs them.
How to tell it has deteriorated
A new bottle holds a pale yellow, oily liquid, and its almond-like smell should not be noticeable outside the cabinet. A smell in the store room is therefore a sign in itself, pointing to a loose cap or a weeping seal. Over long storage the liquid can slowly take on a deeper yellow or brown, and a crusted, sticky neck shows where it has crept out. Nitrobenzene gives no dramatic warnings, so the label and cap carry most of the information. Record the colour, the label date and any smell, and do not unscrew an old bottle to investigate.
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 We do not publish a drain or general waste route for any chemical.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.
The collector groups it with other toxic organic liquids in a lab pack. It is hazardous waste under 16 05 06* as a laboratory chemical, or 16 05 08* where it counts as discarded organic chemical outside a lab pack. Because it may damage fertility and is harmful to aquatic life, it must not reach a drain or ordinary waste, and nobody should try to deal with a part-used bottle themselves. Leave the cap alone, keep the bottle upright in its tray, and note the approximate volume left so the collection is described accurately.
| Usual EWC code, laboratory stock | 16 05 06* |
|---|---|
| Discarded organic chemical, not a laboratory pack | 16 05 08* |
| 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: neat.
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.
- H311 Toxic in contact with skin.
- H331 Toxic if inhaled.
- H351 Suspected of causing cancer.
- H360F May damage fertility.
- H372 Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure.
- H412 Harmful 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.
- P261 Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
- P262 Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing.
- P264 Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after handling.
- P270 Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
- P271 Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
- P273 Avoid release to the environment.
- P280 Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
- P301+P316 IF SWALLOWED: Get emergency medical help immediately.
- P302+P352 IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water.
- P304+P340 IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
- P316 Get emergency medical help immediately.
- P318 If exposed or concerned, get medical advice.
- P319 Get medical help if you feel unwell.
- P321 Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instruction on this label).
- P330 Rinse mouth.
- P361+P364 Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.
- P403+P233 Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
- 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
Does nitrobenzene need to be locked away in a school?
It is classified as toxic by swallowing, skin contact and inhalation, so the standard storage is a locked cabinet with a stock record, away from food and drink areas. A shelf in an open prep room is not enough, even for a small bottle.
The liquid in an old bottle has turned darker. Is that a problem?
A slow darkening over years is a sign of age and a seal that has not been perfect. It does not change the classification, but it is worth writing on the record. Leave the bottle closed and ask for collection rather than inspecting it further.
Can part-used bottles be combined before collection?
No. Combining bottles means decanting a toxic liquid that is suspected of causing cancer, and it risks spills and a muddled description. Each bottle goes out in its own original container, labelled, and is grouped by the collector.
