Vanadium(V) oxide (CAS 1314-62-1): storage and disposal
Also called vanadium pentoxide, vanadium(V) oxide is an orange to yellow brown powder held in school, college and university stores, often for teaching the catalyst used in sulfuric acid manufacture. It is fatal if inhaled, toxic if swallowed, may cause cancer and damages organs through repeated exposure, and there are further concerns for fertility and breast-fed children. Airborne dust decides how it is handled, more than the age of the jar.
- CAS number
- 1314-62-1
- Form
- Solid
- Storage class
- Toxic
- Signal word
- Danger
- Usual EWC code, laboratory stock
- 16 05 06*
Acute toxicity
Serious health hazard
Hazardous to the environment
What to do this week
- Without moving anything that looks damaged, 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 anything listed under "Do not store with" on this page. If nothing is listed, that does not prove it is safe with everything.
- If you no longer need it, add it to your disposal list so it can be included in a collection.
Safe storage in a school or lab
A small jar of orange or yellow brown powder is the usual form, sometimes with a few catalyst pellets from an old teaching kit stored in a labelled tube beside it. The powder is light enough to lift when a jar is tipped, and it is rated fatal if inhaled, so it needs a locked cabinet with a stock record and a low shelf, not an open catalysts tray in a practical room. Acids and oxidisers are stored elsewhere. Food and drink stay out. The bright colour makes spills easy to see, which helps, as long as the jar sits on a pale tray. Keep pellets and powder as separate labelled items, because old kits often lose the second label first.
How to tell it has deteriorated
Orange to yellow brown is the normal colour, and fresh and old powder look much alike. The oxide changes little in storage and gives few visible signs of age. A darker or greenish patch does not fit, and may mean contamination or a used catalyst, so write it down without opening the jar. Pellets from a demonstration kit that were used and returned may look grey or dark, and these should be described as used. Orange dust on the thread, on the outside of the jar or on the shelf shows that the seal has failed, and that deserves more concern than any colour shift. Caking, a faded label and a missing stock entry are the other things to note.
How it is disposed of
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 toxic laboratory pack with compatible chemicals.
Grouping starts from what the item really is. A jar of powder goes in a lab pack with compatible toxic solids, apart from acids and oxidisers, while used catalyst pellets from a kit should be listed as their own line because they may carry residues from the demonstration. Give the label wording, weight or jar size, and any orange dust outside the container, so the packing can allow for it. The usual code is 16 05 06*. Only a specialist collection is suitable for this oxide. It must not reach a sink or drain, as it is toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects, and it does not belong in a general waste bin or skip. Please do not try to treat it first.
| Usual EWC code, laboratory stock | 16 05 06* |
|---|---|
| Discarded inorganic chemical, not a laboratory pack | 16 05 07* |
| Usually classed as hazardous waste | Yes |
The code depends on where the waste came from and what it contains, and classifying it is the producer's duty. 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
Usually held as: powder.
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.
Where it is commonly held
Hazard statements
- H301 Toxic if swallowed.
- H330 Fatal if inhaled.
- H335 May cause respiratory irritation.
- H341 Suspected of causing genetic defects.
- H350 May cause cancer.
- H361fd Suspected of damaging fertility. Suspected of damaging the unborn child.
- H362 May cause harm to breast-fed children.
- H372 Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure.
- H411 Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
Precautionary statements
- P203 Obtain, read and follow all safety instructions before use.
- P260 Do not breathe dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
- P261 Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
- P263 Avoid contact during pregnancy and while nursing.
- 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.
- P273 Avoid release to the environment.
- P280 Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
- P284 In case of inadequate ventilation wear respiratory protection.
- P301+P316 IF SWALLOWED: Get emergency medical help immediately.
- P304+P340 IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
- P316 Get emergency medical help immediately.
- P318 If exposed or concerned, get medical advice.
- P319 Get medical help if you feel unwell.
- P320 Specific treatment is urgent (see supplemental first aid instruction on this label).
- P321 Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instruction on this label).
- P330 Rinse mouth.
- P391 Collect spillage.
- P403+P233 Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
- 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
We still have used catalyst pellets from a teaching kit. Do they count?
Yes. List them separately from any unused powder and say they have been used, because they may carry residues from the demonstration. Keep them closed in a labelled tube or jar in the locked cabinet, and do not wash or heat them before they are collected.
Can the jar stay in the practical room if the room is locked?
A locked room is not the same as a locked cabinet with a stock record. Since the powder is rated fatal if inhaled and may cause cancer, it should sit in the toxic cabinet with a current entry, on a low shelf and away from acids and oxidisers.
Part of the powder has turned darker. Is the jar dangerous now?
Its classification was already serious, and a dark patch does not fit normal stock, so treat its condition as uncertain. Keep the lid on and do not stir or sample it. Say what you can see through the glass when you ask for collection.