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Chemical collection and stock control for UK schools, universities and hospitals

Pentan-1-ol (CAS 71-41-0): storage and disposal

Pentan-1-ol, or n-pentanol, is a flammable alcohol kept neat in school, college and university stores, often as a small bottle left from a set of alcohols used to compare burning. It causes skin irritation, may cause respiratory irritation and is harmful if inhaled. Few staff treat it as a stock line in its own right, so bottles tend to be forgotten at the back of a cabinet.

CAS number
71-41-0
Form
Liquid
Storage class
Flammable
Signal word
Warning
Usual EWC code
16 05 06*
  • Flammable pictogramFlammable
  • Harmful or irritant pictogramHarmful or irritant

What to do this week

  1. Check the label is readable and write down the opened date if it is not already there.
  2. Check it is stored as flammable stock and apart from the items listed under "Do not store with".
  3. 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

Oxidisers, acids and corrosive stock are the things to keep away from it. Oxidisers can ignite or feed a fire involving an organic solvent, and a corrosive leak can break down a bottle and release the contents. Put it in a ventilated fire-resistant cabinet with spill containment, well away from ignition sources, and not on the open shelf where other alcohol bottles from a teaching set may have been left. Because it is harmful if inhaled and may irritate the airways, open it where there is airflow. A tight cap matters more than a cool shelf for a liquid that gives off vapour.

How to tell it has deteriorated

A reduced level against the stock record is usually the first thing noticed, followed by a film around the cap where vapour has escaped and dried. Alcohols from teaching sets are often decanted into small reagent bottles, so also check for a label that no longer matches the cap or the contents, or one that says only pentanol. The liquid is clear and colourless and gives few visible signs of age, so cloudiness or a coloured tint points more to contamination from a shared pipette than to the alcohol changing. Sucked in or bulging sides show a failing seal. Record such a bottle as it stands and leave it closed.

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 flammable laboratory pack with compatible chemicals.

Leftovers from a class must not be tipped back into the stock bottle, poured away, left open to evaporate or burnt, and nobody should top up another solvent container with them. Pentan-1-ol goes by specialist collection, packed in a lab pack with compatible solvents as UN 1105 under 16 05 06*. A discarded organic chemical outside a lab pack takes 16 05 08*. Say if the bottle has been decanted, and give the amount left, so a small reagent bottle is described as it is and not rounded up to a full one.

Waste codes and transport details for Pentan-1-ol
EWC code, laboratory chemicals16 05 06*
Discarded organic chemical, not a laboratory pack16 05 08*
Hazardous wasteYes

20 01 13* (solvents) belongs to municipal collections and is shown for reference only. It is not the normal code for a laboratory collection.

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

  • OxidiserOxidisers can ignite flammable materials or make a fire far more intense.
  • AcidOxidising acids can ignite flammable materials, and acid fumes attack containers and seals.
  • CorrosiveA leak of corrosive stock can break down flammable containers and feed a fire.

Named chemicals to keep apart

  • Acetic acidOxidising acids can ignite flammable materials, and acid fumes attack containers and seals.
  • Calcium hypochloriteOxidisers can ignite flammable materials or make a fire far more intense.
  • Hydrochloric acidOxidising acids can ignite flammable materials, and acid fumes attack containers and seals.
  • Hydrogen peroxideOxidisers can ignite flammable materials or make a fire far more intense.
  • Nitric acidOxidising acids can ignite flammable materials, and acid fumes attack containers and seals.
  • Potassium nitrateOxidisers can ignite flammable materials or make a fire far more intense.
  • Potassium permanganateOxidisers can ignite flammable materials or make a fire far more intense.
  • Sulfuric acidOxidising acids can ignite flammable materials, and acid fumes attack containers and seals.
Show 2 more
  • Thionyl chlorideA leak of corrosive stock can break down flammable containers and feed a fire.
  • Zinc chlorideA leak of corrosive stock can break down flammable containers and feed a fire.

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

  • H226 Flammable liquid and vapour.
  • H315 Causes skin irritation.
  • H332 Harmful if inhaled.
  • H335 May cause respiratory irritation.
Precautionary statements
  • P210 Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking.
  • P233 Keep container tightly closed.
  • P240 Ground and bond container and receiving equipment.
  • P241 Use explosion-proof electrical, ventilating and lighting equipment.
  • P242 Use non-sparking tools.
  • P243 Take action to prevent static discharges.
  • P261 Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
  • P264 Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after handling.
  • P271 Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
  • P280 Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
  • P302+P352 IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water.
  • P303+P361+P353 IF ON SKIN (or hair): Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse skin with water or shower.
  • 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.
  • P321 Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instruction on this label).
  • P332+P317 If skin irritation occurs: Get medical help.
  • P362+P364 Take off contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.
  • P370+P378 In case of fire: Use suitable extinguishing media to extinguish.
  • P403+P233 Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
  • P403+P235 Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep cool.
  • 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

Why is pentan-1-ol kept away from oxidisers when it is only a mild alcohol?

It is still a flammable liquid and vapour, and oxidisers can ignite organic liquids or make a fire far more intense. A separate cabinet shelf removes the chance of a spill meeting them.

We have an unlabelled small bottle from a teaching set. Can it be collected?

It can be collected, but it must be described honestly. Record it as unknown, leave it closed, and tell the collection team where it came from. Do not sniff or taste it to guess the contents.

How long can pentanol stay on the shelf?

There is no fixed limit and the liquid gives few visible signs of age. What fails is the closure and the label, so date it on arrival, keep the cap tight and check the level at each stock take.

Guidance only. Check your own risk assessment and your supplier's safety data sheet.

Hazard data source: PubChem GHS Classification, retrieved 31 Oct 2026. Formula C5H12O. EC number 200-752-1.

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