Use of 3-Amino-1,2,4-Triazole (3-AT)

3-AT solid and 1M

Solution

Hazardous Substances Policy - Assessment

CHEMICAL HAZARD AND RISK ASSESSMENT

School of Biosciences

Name of supervisor / Dr. S. D. Minchin / Assessment Number* / 1725
Signature
Assessor / Rita Godfrey / Date of Assessment / 20/11/00

Signature

NotesA School COSHH form in Word is available on the School Server.

Available from the Health and Safety Unit.

Guidance on making an assessment is given in Making a Chemical Hazard and Risk Assessment.

Guidance is also available from Guidance on Completing the Chemical Hazard and Risk Assessment Form.

Use a continuation sheet to expand any section of this form in hard copy version.

1 / LOCATION OF THE WORK ACTIVITY / Labs G10 and G4
2 / PERSONS WHO MAY BE AT RISK
List names where possible / Rita Godfrey and maybe other members of the lab
3 / ACTIVITY ASSESSED / Use of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (3-AT)
4 / MATERIALS INVOLVED / Attach copies of data sheet(s)
NAME / AMOUNT** / HAZARD / RISK PHRASES / HAZDAT NO*** / BIOSCIENCESNO***
3-AT solid and 1M / 6.5g / HARMFUL / R40- Possible risk of / 508
Solution / Category 3 / Irreversible effects.
carcinogen
R48/22- Harmful: danger
Of serious damage to
Health by prolonged
Exposure if swallowed
DANGEROUS / R51/ 53- toxic to aquatic
FOR THE / Organisms, may cause
ENVIRON- / Long-term adverse
MENT / Effects in the
Environment
Agar plates containing / 60ml of / HARMFUL / R40- Possible risk of
15,30.45,60mM 3-AT / 1M=5.1g / Category 3 / Irreversible effects.
solid / Carcinogen
DANGEROUS / R51/ 53- Toxic to aquatic
FOR THE / Organisms, may cause
ENVIRONM- / Long-term adverse
ENT / Effects in the
environment
Minimal SD agar base / 74g / No data / Available but avoid inhal-
And DO supplements / 1.2g / Ation of dust / As a precaution
5 / INTENDED USE
Give brief details and attach protocol/instructions
Preparation of solutions of 3-AT and agar plates containing 3-AT. Also, incubation of these plates in a
30’C incubator for 4-6 days.
6 / RISKS to HEALTH and SAFETY from INTENDED USE
From personal exposure or hazardous reactions. Refer to OELs, flash points, etc., as appropriate. Are pregnant women, breast-feeding mothers especially at risk?
There is a risk of skin contamination and/or inhalation of the powder when making the solution. There is a
Risk to the environment when disposing of the agar plates in the normal way. There is an unmeasurable
Risk of inhalation of fumes from the incubating plates, from pouring the plates, autoclaving waste plates
And should the autoclave seal fail whilst at pressure.
7 / CONCLUSIONS ABOUT RISKS
Is level of risk acceptable? Can risk be prevented or reduced by change of substance/procedure? Are control measures necessary?
The level of risk is not acceptable and control measures are necessary.
8 / CONTROL MEASURES
Additional to Good Chemical Practice
The solid 3-AT should be weighed out in a fume hood whilst wearing protective clothing and gloves. The
Agar plates should be poured in a fume hood (with care this can be done aseptically). The 3-AT has to be
Added when the media is about 55’C. Check the fume hood is working before use. The plates should be
Incubated in the 30’C incubator in G4 which is which is open and well ventilated. Waste plates should be
Double bagged and autoclaved in the autoclave in either lab 605 or 412. This should be done overnight so
That it is completely cool when opened the next day. The waste is removed from the autoclave, placed in
A yellow bag, sealed and placed in the skip in the yard.
9 / INSTRUCTION/TRAINING
Specify course(s) and/or special arrangements.
Personnel involved in the clean up procedure must be adequately trained and experienced in handling
Carcinogenic materials.
10 / MONITORING
Performance of control measures,
Check fume hood is working properly before use.
Personal exposure / Health Surveillance
11 / WASTE DISPOSAL PROCEDURE
See School Server for Approved Procedure Document on specific Chemical Waste Disposal.
Waste solutions of 3-AT should be transferred to a waste non-halogenated waste solvent bottle. This must
Be done in a fume hood. Disposal of agar plates is not by the usual method adopted by the ground floor.
The waste plates still have to be autoclaved to destroy any potential biological hazard. They should be put
Into two autoclave bags and autoclaved at 121’C for 50 mins. Do not use the autoclave in G7 as it heats
To 135’C which causes the bags to leak in the metal containers which means the waste has to be removed
Whilst the agar is still molten with the possible risk of exposure to 3-AT fumes. The 3-AT ought to be
Broken down by the heat but measures have to be taken in case the autoclave isn’t functioning correctly.
Therefore autoclaving must take place overnight so that it is completely cool when opened thus reducing
Any risk from undegraded 3-AT. The waste should now be placed in a yellow bag , sealed and taken to the
Skip in the yard. A notice should be put on the autoclave after switching it on warning other people not to
Open it without first contacting the user.
12 / REVIEW
Enter the date or circumstances for review of assessment (maximum review interval 5 years)
November 2003 or when more information about 3-AT becomes available.
13 / EMERGENCY ACTION
TO CONTROL HAZARDS / To stabilize situation eg spread absorbant on liquid spill; eliminate sources of ignition, etc.
See attached sheet
TO PROTECT PERSONNEL / Evacuation, protection for personnel involved in clean-up, Special First Aid
See attached sheet
TO RENDER SITE OF EMERGENCY SAFE / Clean-up/decontamination
See attached sheet
CONTACT PHONE

10.10.00

* Prefix T is used for Teaching Assessment Number.

** List the amount by weight of the substance used. (for liquids eg; 100 mls 1M Sodium Hydroxide =

4g).

***Hazdat No is the UNICOSHH datasheet report number.

Biosciences No is the Biosciences data sheet number.

UNICOSHH IS A CHEMICAL DATABASE ON THE HEALTH AND SAFETY UNIT SERVER.

BIOSCIENCES DATA SHEETS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE SCHOOL SAFETY OFFICE.