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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