ABC of Safety in the Biological Sciences
CHLOROFORM (CHCl3)
SYNONYMS
Trichloromethane, methane trichloride, methanyl trichloride,
methyl trichloride, trichloroform, formyl trichloride.
CHARACTERISTICS
Clear, colourless volatile liquid with a pleasant, sweet odour.
Immiscible in water but miscible with ethanol and most organic
solvents. The vapour is heavier than air and will collect in
hollows and confined spaces. Generally will not support
combustion.
INCOMPATIBILITY
Chloroform is incompatible with:
Acetone when mixed together in a residue bottle with a base
explosion will occur.
Strong bases and alcohols explosion hazard. e.g. Methanol and
sodium hydroxide with chloroform will explode on impact.
Sodium, potassium, lithium, aluminium powder and magnesium
powder produces explosions ranging from violent to mild.
Potassiumsodium alloy violent explosion.
Dinitrogen tetroxide explosion on impact.
Fluorine violent or explosive reaction.
Chloroform will attack some plastics and rubber.
In contact with water will corrode iron and certain metals.
Heating produces toxic oxides of carbon, hydrochloric acid and
phosgene.
HEALTH HAZARD DATA
Chloroform is an animal carcinogen and suspected of being a
human carcinogen. It is an embryotoxin and should never be
handled by pregnant staff members. It is considered to be highly
toxic by all exposure routes and can be readily absorbed through
the skin in doses large enough to produce toxicity. It is an
anaesthetic and a skin, eye and respiratory tract irritant. It
affects the central nervous system. Liver and kidney damage may
occur and death can result from cardiac arrest. Ingestion of
alcoholic drinks will enhance the toxicity of chloroform.
Persons with a preexisting liver, kidney, skin or heart disease
may be at an increased risk. Acute exposure to the skin may
cause mild irritation to severe erythema and purulent blebs.
Skin penetration may occur. Eye contact with liquid results in a
severe burning pain, tearing and reddening of the conjunctiva.
Frequently the corneal epithelium is injured and may be
partially lost. The mean lethal dose when ingested is one fluid
ounce. 1,000 ppm in the atmosphere is toxic and may cause
dizziness, intracranial pressure and nausea. Continued exposure
at this level will produce persistent fatigue and headache.
4,000 ppm will produce symptoms of vomiting, fainting and
serious disorientation. 10,000 ppm will produce rapid loss of
consciousness.
HANDLING and GENERAL PRECAUTIONS
Potential human carcinogen.
Highly toxic by all exposure routes.
Embryotoxin, do not allow pregnant staff to handle chloroform.
Avoid skin contact.
Avoid breathing the vapour.
Keep away from heat or naked flames. Heating produces phosgene
and hydrochloric acid.
Store away from strong alkalis.
Store out of sunlight.
Keep away from incompatible substances (see text).
Ensure that chloroform is not used close to heat or a naked
flame because of the possibility of producing toxic
decomposition products. Use an approved fume hood that will
control the level of exposure to below recommended limits. Above
500 ppm a respirator is required. Wear protective clothing. A
long sleeved laboratory coat or gown, rubber gloves, safety
goggles and a face mask as a minimum requirement. Rubber gloves
should be manufactured from vitron or TFE. If exposure levels
are going to be high then wear an approved respirator or
selfcontained breathing apparatus.
TREATMENTS
Skin remove contaminated clothing and shoes then immediately
wash the affected area with soap or mild detergent and large
amounts of water until all evidence of the chemical has been
removed (approximately 15 minutes). Seek medical advice. Wash
contaminated clothing before reuse.
Eyes immediately wash the affected eye with large amounts of
water until all evidence of the chemical has been removed
(approximately 15 minutes). Seek immediate medical advice.
Inhalation remove the patient to fresh air immediately and
avoid exposure to yourself. Remove contaminated clothing and
loosen remaining clothing. Allow the patient to assume a
comfortable position, then keep warm. Allow to rest until fully
recovered. If breathing has stopped immediately apply artificial
respiration. If breathing is difficult give oxygen. Seek
immediate medical advice.
Ingestion if the patient is conscious induce vomiting by
touching a finger to the back of the throat or by administering
syrup of ipecac. Avoid giving milk, oils or alcohol.
STORAGE
Store in a cool, dry, well ventilated area away from strong
alkalis and incompatible substances.
DISPOSAL
WEAR:
Rubber gloves, laboratory coat and self contained breathing
apparatus (or work in a fume hood).
SPILLS:
Absorb on paper towels and allow to evaporate in the fume hood.
Burn the paper. Wash the spill site with a soap solution.
PACKAGE LOTS:
The toxic liquid compounds concerned here are insoluble in water
and cannot be burned. purify the contaminated liquid by
distillation and place the purified distillate back on the
shelf.
OR
Disposal of according to any local regulations.
ENVIRONMENT
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