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

TEMED (CAS 110-18-9): storage and disposal

Gel electrophoresis benches in university and pathology labs hold TEMED as a small bottle of neat liquid, kept for casting polyacrylamide gels. It is classified as highly flammable, harmful by swallowing and inhalation, and causes severe burns, with toxicity to aquatic life with long lasting effects. A bottle bought for one project is often still there years later.

CAS number
110-18-9
Form
Liquid
Storage class
Flammable
Signal word
Danger
Usual EWC code
16 05 06*
  • Flammable pictogramFlammable
  • Corrosive pictogramCorrosive
  • Harmful or irritant pictogramHarmful or irritant
  • Hazardous to the environment pictogramHazardous to the environment

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

Cold rooms and bench drawers are where small bottles like this go astray. TEMED is a flammable corrosive amine, so it belongs in the ventilated fire-resistant cabinet with spill containment, away from ignition sources and oxidisers, and a spark-free refrigerator is acceptable only if refrigeration is wanted. Oxidising acids can ignite flammable stock and a leak of corrosive stock can break down its container, so keep both on other shelves. University stores should log the bottle with the date of opening. Pathology labs should not leave it in a general reagent refrigerator beside food or samples.

How to tell it has deteriorated

A fresh bottle holds a clear, colourless liquid, so yellowing is the first change a technician sees on the shelf. Amines pick up colour with age and air, so a bottle that has darkened may have been poorly sealed. A fishy smell around the bench or cabinet means vapour is getting past the cap. Look for lowered level, bulging or sucked-in plastic, stained labels and a sticky neck. The bottle is flammable and burns skin, so old stock should not be opened to compare it with a new bottle. If the label has gone, treat it as an unknown flammable amine.

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.

A small bottle still counts as a hazardous collection. Pack it with other compatible flammable items in a lab pack, upright and in a tray, away from oxidisers. The discarded organic chemical code applies outside a lab pack, and the healthcare variant applies to a hospital holder. Record the volume, the bottle type, the cap condition and the label text. It must never be poured into a sink, left to evaporate or mixed into gel waste to dispose of it, and nobody should attempt to neutralise the liquid. The specialist carrier takes it.

Waste codes and transport details for TEMED
EWC code, laboratory chemicals16 05 06*
Discarded organic chemical, not a laboratory pack16 05 08*
Human healthcare setting18 01 06*
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

  • H225 Highly flammable liquid and vapour.
  • H302 Harmful if swallowed.
  • H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
  • H332 Harmful if inhaled.
  • H411 Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
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.
  • 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.
  • P270 Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
  • P271 Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
  • P280 Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
  • P301+P317 IF SWALLOWED: Get medical help.
  • P301+P330+P331 IF SWALLOWED: Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting.
  • P302+P361+P354 IF ON SKIN: Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Immediately rinse with water for several minutes.
  • 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.
  • P305+P354+P338 IF IN EYES: Immediately rinse with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
  • P316 Get emergency medical help immediately.
  • P317 Get medical help.
  • P321 Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instruction on this label).
  • P330 Rinse mouth.
  • P363 Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.
  • P370+P378 In case of fire: Use suitable extinguishing media to extinguish.
  • 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.
  • P264+P265 Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after handling. Do not touch eyes.
  • P273 Avoid release to the environment.
  • P391 Collect spillage.
  • P403+P233 Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.

Substance as classified, dilutions may differ.

Questions

My TEMED has turned yellow. Can I still use it?

Yellowing usually means the amine has aged or taken in air, so it is no longer fresh. The hazards remain as classified. Whether it still works is for the lab to decide, but old stock should be collected.

Can it go in the same bin as spent polyacrylamide gels?

No. The liquid is highly flammable and corrosive and is collected as chemical waste, not with gel waste. Keep it in its bottle, upright and labelled.

Where in the lab should it be kept?

In a flammables cabinet with spill containment, away from ignition sources, oxidisers and oxidising acids. A spark-free refrigerator is the only cold storage that suits it.

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 C6H16N2. EC number 203-744-6.

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