Skip to content

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

Triethylamine (CAS 121-44-8): storage and disposal

College and university stores hold triethylamine as a neat liquid, usually a small bottle in the solvent cabinet. It is highly flammable, toxic by swallowing, skin contact and inhalation, and causes severe burns. The smell leaks through a worn cap long before the liquid level changes, which is often how neglected bottles are found.

CAS number
121-44-8
Form
Liquid
Storage class
Flammable
Signal word
Danger
Usual EWC code
16 05 06*
  • Flammable pictogramFlammable
  • Corrosive pictogramCorrosive
  • Acute toxicity pictogramAcute toxicity

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

The ventilated fire-resistant cabinet with spill containment is the right place for it and it must stay away from ignition sources and oxidisers. Keep triethylamine away from hypochlorites, including calcium hypochlorite, chloramine T, sodium dichloroisocyanurate and sodium hypochlorite, because these oxidising chemicals can react dangerously with amines. Nitromethane must also be kept apart, as amines sensitise it to detonation. Keep it clear of acid bottles whose fumes would crust the cap. Because it is a liquid with a damaging vapour, store it low and upright with a tray under it. A spark-free refrigerator is the only cold storage that suits it.

How to tell it has deteriorated

The liquid itself is clear and colourless when new, so a yellow or brown tint is the first thing that stands out on an old bottle. A rank fishy, ammonia-like smell around the shelf means the seal is letting vapour out. White haze or crust round the neck usually means acid fumes from a nearby bottle have reached it. Also check for a reduced level, a bulging or sucked-in container, leaking seals and stained labels. Do not open a bottle just to test the smell. If the label is unreadable, treat the contents 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.

The waste code for this amine is the standard laboratory chemical entry, with the organic discarded-chemical variant used outside a lab pack. Record the volume left, the cap condition and the label wording, because a collector must know it is a highly flammable amine before moving it. It must never be poured into a sink, left to evaporate or neutralised with acid, which would produce heat and fumes. It is packed apart from oxidisers, hypochlorites and acids, upright and in compatible UN approved packaging, by the specialist carrier.

Waste codes and transport details for Triethylamine
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 hypochloriteHypochlorites and ammonia or amines form toxic chloramine gases.
  • Chloramine THypochlorites and ammonia or amines form toxic chloramine gases.
  • 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.
  • NitromethaneAmines and alkalis sensitise nitromethane to detonation.
  • Potassium nitrateOxidisers can ignite flammable materials or make a fire far more intense.
Show 6 more
  • Potassium permanganateOxidisers can ignite flammable materials or make a fire far more intense.
  • Sodium dichloroisocyanurateHypochlorites and ammonia or amines form toxic chloramine gases.
  • Sodium hypochloriteHypochlorites and ammonia or amines form toxic chloramine gases.
  • 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.
  • H301 Toxic if swallowed.
  • H311 Toxic in contact with skin.
  • H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
  • H331 Toxic 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • P301+P330+P331 IF SWALLOWED: Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting.
  • P302+P352 IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water.
  • 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.
  • P361+P364 Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.
  • P363 Wash contaminated clothing 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.
  • P301+P317 IF SWALLOWED: Get medical help.
  • P319 Get medical help if you feel unwell.
  • P362+P364 Take off contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.

Substance as classified, dilutions may differ.

Questions

Why must triethylamine be kept away from bleach products?

Hypochlorite products such as sodium hypochlorite and chloramine T are incompatible with triethylamine and can cause dangerous reactions. Keep them in different cabinets and on different shelves, and never carry them together.

Does a yellow bottle mean the liquid is unsafe to use?

Colour change shows the stock has aged or been contaminated, so it is no longer pure. The hazards stay as classified, so do not open it to investigate. Arrange collection of old or discoloured stock.

Can it share a fridge with other chemicals?

Only a spark-free fridge suits flammable stock, and nothing oxidising or acidic should share it. Keep the bottle upright, capped and labelled, and never use a domestic fridge.

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 C6H15N. EC number 204-469-4.

Request collection Add to register
Search the chemical database