ABC of Safety in the Biological Sciences

 


 

MALACHITE GREEN Colour Index No. 42000 (C23H25N2Cl)

SYNONYMS
Victoria green B, Victoria green WB, new Victoria green extra, new Victoria green O, new Victoria green I, new Victoria green II, diamond green B, diamond green BX, diamond green P extra, solid green O, light green N, malachite green A, malachite green B, malachite green BX, malachite green 4B, malachite green SE, malachite green NB, malachite green NH, malachite green NJ.
GENERAL PRECAUTIONS
Avoid skin and eye contact.
Avoid inhalation or ingestion of the powder (systemic poison). Keep away from heat.
Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
CHARACTERISTICS Shiny green crystals. Diaminotriphenylmethane group of dyes.
HEALTH HAZARD DATA
This substance is a systemic poison and an irritant. Acute exposure to the skin and eyes will cause irritation. Inhalation may cause irritation to the throat and lungs. Prolonged exposure can cause systemic poisoning. Ingestion may cause hypocalcaemia which can be fatal and may also cause severe damage to the oesophagus and stomach.
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 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). If irritation persists 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 immediate medical attention.
Ingestion ­ if the victim is conscious and not convulsive, give immediately by mouth a dilute solution of calcium lactate or calcium gluconate, or give milk. The solution should be pharacopea grade. Do not induce vomiting. Seek immediate medical attention. If malachite green is handled in your laboratory then one of the above solutions should be in your laboratory first aid kit.
INCOMPATIBILITY
Heating produces toxic fumes of chlorine.
STORAGE
Store in a cool, dry atmosphere away from heat.
HANDLING
Use a fume hood to keep the level of exposure to a minimum. Wear protective clothing. A long sleeved laboratory coat or gown, rubber gloves, safety goggles and a face mask as a minimum standard.
DISPOSAL
WEAR:
Butyl rubber gloves, laboratory coat and self contained breathing apparatus.
SPILLS:
On skin and clothing: wash skin with strong soap solution immediately. Rinse thoroughly. Contaminated clothing should be removed, dried and washed with strong soap solution or destroyed. It may be necessary to destroy shoes by burning.
Small spills: absorb liquid on paper towels. Brush solids on to paper. Place in an iron pan and allow evaporation in a fume hood. Add crumpled paper and burn. Wash spill site with a strong soap solution.
Large spills: cover with sand and soda ash mixture (90/10). Mix and shovel into a cardboard box. Pack with a large excess of crumpled paper. Burn in an open pit or incinerator equipped with an afterburner and scrubber.
PACKAGE LOTS: Either
1 Pour or sift on to a thick layer of sand and soda ash mixture (90/10). Mix, and shovel into a heavy paper box with much paper packaging. Burn in an incinerator. The fire may be augmented with scrap wood. Stay on the upwind side.
OR
2 Dissolve in a flammable solvent and spray into the firebox of an incinerator equipped with an afterburner and scrubber.
ENVIRONMENT:

 


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