ABC of Safety in the Biological Sciences
IODINE (I2)
SYNONYMS
None known.
GENERAL PRECAUTIONS
Use a fume hood.
Avoid skin and eye contact, vapou
r or solid.
Avoid inhalation of the vapour. Store in a tightly closed
container.
Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
CHARACTERISTICS
Brittle plates or small crystals, greyish violet in colour, with
a metallic sheen. Irritating odour.
HEALTH HAZARD DATA
A toxic and corrosive solid which attacks the central nervous
system, the gastrointestinal tract and can cause kidney damage.
It can be absorbed through the skin in large enough doses to be
toxic. Inhalation can cause corrosion of the respiratory tract.
Over exposure to vapour can be fatal. Vapour exposure to the
eyes causes severe irritation and burning. Skin contact causes
localised burning and irritation. Inhalation causes severe
irritation with coughing and wheezing. Ingestion can cause
gastroenteritis, hypotension, delirium, collapse, stupor and
death.
TREATMENTS
Skin remove contaminated clothing and immediately wash the
affected area with large amounts of water until all evidence of
the chemical has been removed (approximately 15 minutes). If
burning or irritation persist seek medical attention. 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). If burning or irritation persist
seek medical attention.
Inhalation remove from the area of exposure to fresh air. If
breathing has ceased apply artificial respiration. Keep warm and
allow to rest. Seek medical attention if necessary.
Ingestion if the victim is conscious give promptly milk,
starch, flour or eggs, then seek immediate medical advice.
INCOMPATIBILITY
Heating produces toxic fumes of iodine and iodine compounds.
Iodine is incompatible with acetylene, ammonia, alkaloids,
starch, tannins and reducing agents.
STORAGE
Store in a tightly closed container in a cool, dry atmosphere
away from heat or incompatible substances.
HANDLING
Use a fume hood to keep the level of exposure below the
recommended threshold level, ie. 0.1ppm (NH & MRC, Australia).
If exposure is expected to exceed this limit then a respirator
is recommended. Wear protective clothing. A long sleeved
laboratory coat or gown, rubber gloves, safety goggles and a
face mask as a minimum standard.
DISPOSAL
WEAR:
Rubber gloves, face shield and laboratory coat. A body shield
should be available for the more active agents. Replace the face
shield with self contained breathing apparatus for such agents
as chlorine and bromine.
SPILLS:
Gas leak: if the valve is leaking because it cannot be closed,
the gas can be bubbled through a reducer (sodium sulphite) and
excess sodium bicarbonate solution. Be sure to include a trap in
the line to prevent the solution being sucked back into the
cylinder. If this cannot be done the cylinder should be placed
in or adjacent to a fume hood and left to bleed off. If the leak
is in the valve assembly, a plastic bag can be fastened over the
head of the cylinder which can then be taken outside or to a
fume hood.
Liquid or solid: cover with a reducer (sodium thiosulphate, a
bisulphite or a ferrous salt not carbon, sulphur or strong
reducing agent). Mix well and spray with water. A sulphite or a
ferrous salt will require addition of 3mol/l sulphuric acid to
promote a rapid reduction. Scoop the slurry into a container of
water and neutralise with soda ash. Discharge to sewer with a
large excess of water. Wash the site thoroughly with a soap
solution containing some reducer.
PACKAGE LOTS:
Add to a large volume of concentrated solution of reducer
(sodium thiosulphate, a bisulphite or a ferrous salt and acidify
with 3mol/l sulphuric acid). When the reduction is completed add
soda ash or dilute hydrochloric acid to neutralise the solution.
Discharge to sewer with a large excess of water.
ENVIRONMENT:
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