ABC of Safety in the Biological Sciences

 


 

AURAMINE O (Colour Index No. 41000) (C17H22N3Cl)

SYNONYMS
Canary yellow, pyoktaninum aureum, pyoktanin yellow, glauramine, brilliant oil yellow, auramine N base, waxoline yellow oil, tetramethyldiaminodiphenylacetamine, 4,4­(imidocarbonyl)bis(n,n­dimethyl)aniline.
CHARACTERISTICS
Yellow needles, yellow or colourless plates. Diarylmethane group of dyes.
INCOMPATIBILITY
Heating produces highly toxic fumes of nitrogen and hydrogen chloride. Can react with oxidising agents. Can react vigorously with active metals.
HEALTH HAZARD DATA
Although not a combustible substance auramine O will support combustion. This dye is a known carcinogen and mutagen. It is known to have caused cancers in dye industry workers. It will damage the human eye and is a skin and respiratory tract irritant. It is a toxic substance. Acute exposure may irritate the respiratory tract and cause headache, nausea, dizziness and visual disturbances. Sensitisation dermatitis may occur in some previously exposed persons. In the eye redness, pain, conjunctivitis and corneal opacity have been reported.
HANDLING and GENERAL PRECAUTIONS
Use a fume hood.
Mutagen and carcinogen. Should not be handled by staff who are pregnant.
Avoid eye contact, will damage cornea.
Avoid inhalation or ingestion of the powder.
Keep away from heat.
Keep away from oxidising materials.
Keep away from active metals.
Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
Use a fume hood and wear protective clothing to avoid any contact with this dye. A long sleeved laboratory coat or gown, rubber gloves, safety goggles and a face mask as a minimum standard.
TREATMENTS
Skin ­ remove contaminated clothing and immediately wash the affected area with soap or mild detergent and large amounts of water until all evidence of the dye has been removed (approximately 15 minutes). If dermatitis develops or irritation persists seek medical attention. Wash contaminated clothing before re­use.
Eyes ­ immediately wash the affected eye with large amounts of water until all evidence of the dye has been removed (approximately 15 minutes). Seek immediate medical advice.
Inhalation ­ remove from the area of exposure. If breathing has ceased apply artificial respiration. Give oxygen if required. Keep warm and allow to rest. Seek immediate medical attention.
Ingestion ­ wash out the mouth thoroughly with water and then give two to four glasses of water to drink. Never induce vomiting in a person who is not conscious. Seek immediately medical advice.
STORAGE
Store in a cool, dry atmosphere away from heat, oxidising agents and active metals.
DISPOSAL
Wear leather gloves, heavy face shield and laboratory coat. Work from behind a barricade (body shield or wall). Avoid unnecessary heat, friction or impact.
SPILLS: Absorb the liquid with paper or vermiculite. If it is a solid, dampen then brush on to paper with great care. Place in a plastic bag and remove outside for burning.
OR
Sponge up with water, followed by decontamination with 10% ammonium ceric nitrate solution. 'Kill', by adding to a greater stoichiometric amount of ammonium ceric nitrate solution with agitation sufficient to provide suspension of all solids. Cool the reaction. The organic azides and heavy metal azides are explosive. Alkali and alkaline earth azides are not considered explosives under normal laboratory conditions. Keep the stock of azides very low. Stamp the date of receipt upon the package.
ENVIRONMENT
Not known.

 


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