Resorcinol (CAS 108-46-3): storage and disposal
Resorcinol is a white crystalline solid held in school, college and university stores, histology labs and pharmacies. It is harmful if swallowed, irritates skin and eyes, may cause an allergic skin reaction, causes damage to organs and is very toxic to aquatic life. Old jars rarely look like new ones, and most of what a technician reads from a jar is colour.
- CAS number
- 108-46-3
- Form
- Solid
- Storage class
- Toxic
- Signal word
- Danger
- Usual EWC code
- 16 05 06*
Harmful or irritant
Serious health hazard
Hazardous to the environment
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
Hold the jar to the light and look at the crystals through the glass before anything else. White or near white is normal, while pink, red or brown tells you about the cap and the age of the stock. It belongs in a locked cabinet with a stock record, away from food and drink areas, acids and oxidisers. Because it may cause an allergic skin reaction and damages organs, spilled powder on the shelf is a bigger problem than the jar's age, so stand it on a tray and keep a scoop for this jar alone. On a histology bench, keep it apart from the staining bottles in constant use.
How to tell it has deteriorated
Fresh resorcinol is white or very pale. With air and light it takes on a pink, red or brown cast, usually starting at the surface and the crystals nearest the cap, and the darker the colour the longer the jar has been open or poorly sealed. Caking and damp clumps show moisture has entered. Also check for a stuck cap, crust on the thread, a stained label and powder on the shelf. A coloured jar is no reason to open it for a closer look. It is recorded by colour, amount and label wording and left closed until collected.
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.
Specialist collection is the only way this solid leaves, packed with compatible organic solids in a lab pack and travelling as UN 2876. Waste code 16 05 06* applies in a lab pack, 16 05 08* to a discarded organic chemical outside one, and 18 01 06* for a pharmacy in a human healthcare setting. Because it is very toxic to aquatic life, no residue must go to a drain, including washings from a dish or a stain bottle. Record the colour, how much remains and the type of container, and mention if it came from histology staining stock.
| 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: solid.
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.
- H315 Causes skin irritation.
- H317 May cause an allergic skin reaction.
- H319 Causes serious eye irritation.
- H370 Causes damage to organs.
- H400 Very toxic to aquatic life.
Precautionary statements
- 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.
- 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.
- P305+P351+P338 IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
- P308+P316 IF exposed or concerned: Get emergency medical help immediately.
- P321 Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instruction on this label).
- P330 Rinse mouth.
- P332+P317 If skin irritation occurs: Get medical help.
- P333+P317 If skin irritation or rash occurs: Get medical help.
- P337+P317 If eye irritation persists: Get medical help.
- P362+P364 Take off contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.
- P391 Collect spillage.
- 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
Our resorcinol has gone pink. Can it still be collected?
Yes. Pink, red or brown crystals are the normal result of air and light, and they are collected as they are. Keep the cap closed, stand the jar on a tray and record the colour when you book.
Why is resorcinol kept away from acids and oxidisers?
Toxic stock is stored apart from both, because contact can release harmful gas or generate heat. A locked cabinet with a tray and a stock record gives it a place away from the acid shelf and the oxidiser space.
How do we describe leftover histology stain made with resorcinol?
By what the bottle says it contains. A stain reagent is not pure resorcinol, so copy the label wording, note the volume and the container, and keep it separate from clean stock until collection.
