ABC of Safety in the Biological Sciences

 


 

METHYL ORANGE (Colour Index No. 13025 (C14H14N3O3SNa)

SYNONYMS
Orange III, helianthin, gold orange MP, tropaeolin, porrier's orange III, mandarin orange, dimethylaniline orange, benzenesulphonic acid, sodium salt, helianthine B.
GENERAL PRECAUTIONS
Do not allow staff who are pregnant to handle this dye.
Avoid eye contact.
Keep away from heat.
Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
CHARACTERISTICS
Orange yellow powder. Monoazo group of dyes.
HEALTH HAZARD DATA
This dye is a known animal mutagen and should not be handled by staff who are pregnant. The toxicity of this dye has not been quantified. In view of its mutagenic nature the dye should be handled with care.
TREATMENTS
Skin ­ remove contaminated clothing and 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).
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. If discomfort persists seek medical attention.
Ingestion ­ wash the mouth thoroughly with water and give water to drink. Induce vomiting by touching a finger to the back of the throat. Seek medical advice. Never induce vomiting in a person that is not conscious.
INCOMPATIBILITY
Heating produces toxic oxides of nitrogen and sulphur.
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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