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

Toluene (CAS 108-88-3): storage and disposal

Toluene is a highly flammable liquid found as neat stock in school, college and university labs and in some histology rooms. Classified hazards include aspiration, drowsiness, suspected harm to the unborn child and organ damage from repeated exposure. Who handles it matters as much as the cabinet it sits in, and the quantity left in each bottle largely decides how it is described for collection.

CAS number
108-88-3
Form
Liquid
Storage class
Flammable
Signal word
Danger
Usual EWC code
16 05 06*
  • Flammable pictogramFlammable
  • Harmful or irritant pictogramHarmful or irritant
  • Serious health hazard pictogramSerious health hazard

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

Flammability and the suspected effect on the unborn child together decide where toluene goes. It belongs in a ventilated fire-resistant solvents cabinet with spill containment, away from ignition sources and with a stock record that staff can consult before handling. Keep it clear of nitric acid, which reacts violently with organic solvents, and perchloric acid, which forms explosive mixtures with organic material. Oxidisers, acids and leaking corrosive stock also share a shelf with trouble, so give them a different cabinet entirely. In a histology room, keep the bottle away from the stain bench where heat sources sit.

How to tell it has deteriorated

Few visible signs of age show in the liquid, so the container tells the story. Check the level against the label, since a slow fall means vapour is leaving through a worn liner. Look for closures that have softened, swollen or gone tacky, because the solvent can attack some plastics and rubbers. Stained or lifted labels, a ring of dried residue at the neck and a bottle that has been refilled from another container without relabelling are the faults technicians actually find. Bulging or a sucked-in wall points to a seal problem and should be left alone for the collector.

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.

Before asking for a collection, note what each toluene container holds. Say whether it is neat solvent, used solvent mixed with other liquids, or part-filled, and give approximate quantity. Never pour it into a sink or a general waste bin, and never combine it with nitric acid waste in a shared bottle, where pressure can build. It goes by specialist collection grouped with compatible flammable organics. Educational labs commonly cite 16 05 06* for packed stock, a loose organic chemical not in a pack uses 16 05 08*, and a histology unit in a hospital can use 18 01 06*.

Waste codes and transport details for Toluene
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 acidNitric acid reacts violently with organic solvents and can ignite them or build pressure in waste bottles.
  • Perchloric acidPerchloric acid forms explosive mixtures with organic material.
  • 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.
Show 3 more
  • Sulfuric acidOxidising acids can ignite flammable materials, and acid fumes attack containers and seals.
  • 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.
  • H304 May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways.
  • H315 Causes skin irritation.
  • H336 May cause drowsiness or dizziness.
  • H361d Suspected of damaging the unborn child.
  • H373 May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure.
Precautionary statements
  • P203 Obtain, read and follow all safety instructions before use.
  • 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.
  • P271 Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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).
  • P331 Do NOT induce vomiting.
  • 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

Can toluene and nitric acid waste share a bottle?

No. Nitric acid reacts violently with organic solvents and can ignite them or build pressure in the bottle. Keep them in separate containers and separate cabinets, and tell the collector if anything has been mixed in the past.

Our toluene bottle has a soft, swollen cap. What do we do?

Leave it where it is, on a tray in the solvents cabinet, and tell your technician lead. A swollen or tacky closure means the solvent has been attacking the liner. Do not open it. Record the closure fault and ask the collection specialist to assess the bottle before it is handled. Add it to the collection list with the closure fault noted.

Should pregnant staff avoid handling toluene?

It is classified as suspected of damaging the unborn child, so the decision belongs in your risk assessment and with your occupational health adviser. Keep stock in the ventilated cabinet and limit who handles 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 C7H8. EC number 203-625-9.

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