Standard Operating Procedure

Tetranitromethane

This is an SOP template and is not complete until the laboratory management has completed the specific areas identified with red text. Print a copy and insert into your Laboratory Safety Manual or Chemical Hygiene Plan.

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Type of SOP: ☐ Process ☒Hazardous Chemical ☐ Hazardous Class

Purpose

It has been investigated for use as an oxidizer in bipropellant rockets, however its high freezing temperature makes it unsuitable. Highly purified tetranitromethane cannot be made to explode, but its sensitivity is increased dramatically by oxidizable contaminents, such as anti-freezing additives. This makes it effectively unusable as a propellant. In the laboratory it is used a reagent for the detection of double bonds in organic compounds and as a nitrating reagent. It has also found use as an additive to diesel fuel to increase the cetane number.

Physical & Chemical Properties/Definition of Chemical Group

CAS#: 509-14-8

Class: Suspect Carcinogens

Molecular Formula: CN4O8

Form (physical state): liquid

Color: pale yellow

Boiling point: 126 oC

Potential Hazards/Toxicity

·  Accute Health Effects: Irritating to the skin and eyes on contact. Inhalation will cause irritation to the lungs and mucus membrane. Irritation to the eyes will cause watering and redness. Reddening, scaling, and itching are characteristics of skin inflammation. Follow safe industrial hygiene practices and always wear protective equipment when handling this compound. May be fatal if inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through skin. Causes eye irritation. Causes skin irritation. Absorption into the body leads to the formation of methemoglobin, which in sufficient concentration causes cyanosis. Onset may be delayed 2 to 4 hours or longer. Can cause CNS depression.

·  Chronic Health Effects: Carcinogen. Damage to the heart Damage to the eyes

·  Accute Health Effects: This product is listed by NTP (Sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in experimental animals) and OSHA (Suspected Human Carcinogen: Agent is carcinogenic in experimental animals at dose levels, by route(s) of administration, at site(s), of histology type(s), or by mechanism(s) considered relevant to worker exposure. Available epidemiological studies are conflicting or insufficient to confirm an increased risk of cancer in exposed humans) as suspected human carcinogen.

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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Respirator Protection

Where risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are appropriate use a full-face respirator with multi-purpose combination (US) or type ABEK (EN 14387) respirator cartridges as a backup to engineering controls. If the respirator is the sole means of protection, use a full-face supplied air respirator. Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU)...

Respirators should be used only under any of the following circumstances:

·  As a last line of defense (i.e., after engineering and administrative controls have been exhausted).

·  When Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) has exceeded or when there is a possibility that PEL will be exceeded.

·  Regulations require the use of a respirator.

·  An employer requires the use of a respirator.

·  There is potential for harmful exposure due to an atmospheric contaminant (in the absence of PEL)

·  As PPE in the event of a chemical spill clean-up process

Lab personnel intending to use/wear a respirator mask must be trained and fit-tested by EH&S. This is a regulatory requirement. http://www.asu.edu/ehs/documents/asu-respiratory-protection-plan.pdf

Hand Protection

Handle with gloves. Gloves must be inspected prior to use. Use proper glove removal technique (without touching

glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product. Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in

accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices. Wash and dry hands..

NOTE: Consult with your preferred glove manufacturer to ensure that the gloves you plan on using are compatible with tetranitromethane

Refer to glove selection chart from the links below:

http://www.ansellpro.com/download/Ansell_8thEditionChemicalResistanceGuide.pdf

OR

http://www.allsafetyproducts.biz/page/74172

OR

http://www.showabestglove.com/site/default.aspx

Eye Protection

Face shield and safety glasses Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate

government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU)..

Skin and Body Protection

Complete suit protecting against chemicals, The type of protective equipment must be selected according to the concentration and amount of the dangerous substance at the specific workplace..

Hygiene Measures

Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice. Wash hands before breaks and at the end of

workday.

Engineering Controls

Use process enclosures, local exhaust ventilation, or other engineering controls to keep airborne levels below recommended exposure limits. If user operations generate dust, fume or mist, use ventilation to keep exposure to airborne contaminants below the exposure limit.

First Aid Procedures

If inhaled

If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Get medical attention.

In case of skin contact

After contact with skin, wash immediately with plenty of water. Gently and thoroughly wash the contaminated skin with running water and non-abrasive soap. Be particularly careful to clean folds, crevices, creases and groin. Cold water may be used. Cover the irritated skin with an emollient. If irritation persists, seek medical attention.

In case of eye contact

Check for and remove any contact lenses. In case of contact, immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Cold water may be used. Get medical attention immediately.

If swallowed

Do not induce vomiting. Loosen tight clothing such as a collar, tie, belt or waistband. If the victim is not breathing, perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Seek immediate medical attention.

Special Handling and Storage Requirements

Storage Temperatures: Store at ambient temperature Shelf Life:Unlimited in tightly closed container. Special Sensitivity: None Handling/Storage Precautions:Avoid breathing dust. Avoid getting in eyes or on skin. Wash thoroughly after handling. Store in a dry place away from direct sunlight, heat and incompatible materials (see Section X). Reseal containers immediately after use. Store away from food and beverages. .

Spill and Accident Procedure

Chemical Spill Dial 911 and 480-965-1823

Spill – Assess the extent of danger. Help contaminated or injured persons. Evacuate the spill area. Avoid breathing vapors. If possible, confine the spill to a small area using a spill kit or absorbent material. Keep others from entering contaminated area (e.g., use caution tape, barriers, etc.).

Small (<1 Liter) – Follow the “Hazardous Materials Incident” guidance in the posted Emergency Response Guide.

Large (>1 Liter) – Dial 911. Follow guidance for major spill or leak in the posted Emergency Response Guide

Chemical Spill on Body or Clothes – Remove clothing and rinse body thoroughly in emergency shower for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention. Notify supervisor and ASU EH&S at 480-965-1823.

Chemical Splash Into Eyes – Immediately rinse eyeball and inner surface of eyelid with water from the emergency eyewash station for 15 minutes by forcibly holding the eye open. Seek medical attention. Notify supervisor and ASU EH&S at 480-965-1823.

Medical Emergency Dial 911

Life Threatening Emergency, After Hours, Weekends And Holidays – Dial 911. Note: all injuries and incidents must be reported to ASU EH&S, 480-965-1823.

Non-Life Threatening Emergency –Report to your ASU campus health Services Center (451 E. University Drive, south side of University Drive, west of Palm Walk, Hours: M-F, 8am – 6pm, Sat., 10am – 2pm). Outside of these hours, report to Tempe St. Luke’s ER, 1500 S. Mill Avenue. Note: all injuries and incidents must be reported to ASU EH&S, 480-965-1823.

Needle stick/puncture exposure (as applicable to chemical handling procedure) – Wash the affected area with antiseptic soap and warm water for 15 minutes. For mucous membrane exposure, flush the affected area for 15 minutes using an eyewash station. Report to your ASU campus Health Services Center (451 E. University Drive, south side of University Drive, west of Palm Walk, Hours: M-F, 8am – 6pm, Sat., 10am – 2pm). Outside of these hours, report to Tempe St. Luke’s ER, 1500 S. Mill Avenue. Note: all injuries and incidents must be reported to ASU EH&S, 480-965-1823.

Decontamination/Waste Disposal Procedure

Waste Disposal:

Waste must be disposed of in accordance with federal, state and local environmental control regulations..

General hazardous waste disposal guidelines:

Label Waste

Attach a completed ASU Hazardous Waste tag to all waste containers as soon as the first drop of waste is added to the container.

Store Waste

 Store hazardous waste in closed containers, in secondary containment and in a designated location

 Double-bag dry waste using transparent bags

 Waste must be under the control of the person generating & disposing of it

Dispose of Waste

 Dispose of regularly generated chemical waste within 90 days

 Call EH&S at 480-965-8554 for questions

 Empty Containers

o Dispose as hazardous waste if it once held extremely hazardous waste (irrespective of the container size)

o Consult waste pick-up schedule

Prepare for transport to pick-up location

 Check on-line waste tag

 Write date of pick-up on the waste tag

 Use secondary containment

Protocol/Procedure (Add lab specific Protocol/Procedure here)

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NOTE

Any deviation from this SOP requires approval from PI.

Documentation of Training (signature of all users is required)

 Prior to conducting any work regarding this SOP, Principal Investigator or designee must provide to his/her laboratory personnel specific to the hazards involved in working with this substance, work area decontamination, and emergency procedures.

 The Principal Investigator must provide his/her laboratory personnel with a copy of this SOP and a copy of the MSDS provided by the manufacturer.

 The Principal Investigator must ensure that his/her laboratory personnel have attended appropriate/required safety training (i.e. Biosafety, Fire Safety & Prevention, Hazardous Waste Management, Laboratory Safety ) or refresher training within the last one year.

I have read and understand the content of this SOP:

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ASU Environmental Health and Safety Page | 2

Updated December 2016