Trisodium citrate (CAS 68-04-2): storage and disposal

One practical check at the shelf is whether the label says solid or solution, and the concentration. Dihydrate crystals go in a dry, labelled, well organised store with a date on arrival and apart from food grade supplies. The 3.2% anticoagulant, whether in bottles or in blood collection tubes, belongs with clinical supplies and not among reagents, with a note of the date it was made or received. A clinic cupboard should keep the tubes away from patient-facing consumables. No particular chemical partners need separating, and the main task is labelling.

Solution is where change shows. A bottle or tube of anticoagulant that has become cloudy, grown a film or developed a smell has been contaminated, and should not be used. Crystals of the dihydrate show few visible signs, though caking or damp lumps mean moisture has entered the tub. Faded labels, a missing concentration and an unknown date matter most for both forms. Expired anticoagulant tubes that have lost their vacuum or have leaked are described as they are. A tub topped up from another container counts as mixed stock.

We arrange this by specialist collection. We do not publish a drain or general waste route for any chemical. It is normally packed in a non-regulated or low hazard laboratory pack with compatible chemicals.

The solid and the 3.2% solution are two different items on a collection request, so list them separately. It is not normally classified as hazardous, but it is still a chemical waste, so it must not go into a sink, drain, bin or sharps container. Healthcare holders such as clinics and pathology labs normally use the healthcare entry, and educational stores the laboratory chemical entry, though the producer classifies the waste. Record the container size, the stated concentration and the label condition. The carrier groups it with other low hazard stock.

Usually held as: dihydrate, 3.2% anticoagulant.

Tell us the container size and how many you hold. An estimate is enough to start with, and some items cannot be priced until someone has looked at them.