ABC of Safety in the Biological Sciences
ERYTHROSIN B (Colour Index No. 45430(C20H6O5I4Na2)
SYNONYMS
Erythrosin N, erythrosin JN, pyrosin B, eosin J, iodoeosin B,
dianthine B, acid red 51, tetraiodofluorescein sodium salt,
erythrosin bluish.
CHARACTERISTICS
Brown powder which forms a red solution in water. Xanthene group
of dyes.
INCOMPATIBILITY
Heating produces toxic fumes of iodides and sodium oxide.
HEALTH HAZARD DATA
This substance is a skin, eye and mucous membrane irritant and
is believed to be harmful if inhaled or ingested. Although no
data is available about the affects of inhalation or ingestion
in humans animal experiments have shown that erythrosin B causes
central nervous system depression and is highly toxic when given
intra-peritoneally or intravenously. It can be absorbed into the
body by inhalation or ingestion. Prolonged skin contact may
cause dermatitis. Erythrosin B is used as a food colouring.
HANDLING and GENERAL PRECAUTIONS
Avoid skin and eye contact.
Avoid inhalation or ing
estion of the powder.
Keep away from heat. Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
Wear protective clothing to avoid all 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 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 irritation
or pain persist or dermatitis develops seek medical attention.
Eyes immediately wash the affected eye with large amounts of
water until all evidence of the dye has been removed
(approximately 15 minutes). If irritation or pain persist seek
immediate medical attention.
Inhalation remove from the area of exposure to fresh air. If
breathing has ceased apply artificial respiration. Give oxygen
if necessary. Keep warm and allow to rest. Seek medical advice.
Ingestion wash the mouth thoroughly with water and give two to
four glasses of water to drink. If the victim is conscious
induce vomiting by touching a finger to the back of the throat.
Seek immediate medical advice.
STORAGE
Store in a cool, dry atmosphere away from heat.
DISPOSAL
WEAR:
Butyl rubber gloves, laboratory coat, self contained breathing
apparatus and protective shoes.
SPILLS:
On skin and clothing: wash skin with a strong soap solution
immediately. Rinse well. Contaminated clothing should be removed
and cleaned at once or destroyed by burning.
Small spills: absorb liquid on paper towels or vermiculite;
sweep solid spills on to paper. Put on an iron pan in a fume
hood and allow to evaporate. Burn the paper or vermiculite in
the absence of other inflammables. Wash the site thoroughly with
a strong soap solution.
Large spills: absorb or mix with vermiculite, sodium bicarbonate
or sand. Package this in a paper carton and burn in an open pit.
Use wood scraps and crumpled paper to augment burning. Wash the
site thoroughly with a strong soap solution.
PACKAGE LOTS: Either
1 Pour os sift on to sodium bicarbonate or a sand, soda ash
mixture (90/10). Mix and package in heavy paper cartons with
plenty of paper packing to serve as fuel. Burn in an
incinerator.
OR
2 Mix with a flammable solvent and spray into a firebox of an
incinerator equipped with an afterburner and scrubber.
NOTE:
Destruction by chemical decomposition is recommended for dinitro,
trinitro and other compounds with explosive potential. Add the
material, slowly, while stirring, to 30 times its weight of a
solution prepared by dissolving 1 part sodium sulphide in 6
parts water. For unstable acidic materials (eg. picric acid)
dissolve in 25 times its weight in a solution from 1 part sodium
hydroxide and 21 parts sodium sulphide in 200 parts water. Some
hydrogen sulphide and ammonia is evolved.
ENVIRONMENT:
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