ABC of Safety in the Biological Sciences
METHYLENE BLUE (Colour Index No. 52015) (C16H18N3SCl)
SYNONYMS
Methylene blue chloride, methylthionine chloride,
tetramethylthionine chloride, phenazathionium chloride,
chromosmon, basic blue 9, methylene blue polychrome,
methylthionine.
GENERAL PRECAUTIONS
Animal mutagen must not be handled by pregnant staff.
Avoid skin and eye contact.
Avoid inhalation or ingestion.
Keep away from heat or naked flames.
Keep away from alkalis, dichromates, iodides or reducing agents.
Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
CHARACTERISTICS
Dark green, combustible crystals or powder with a bronze lustre.
Quinineimine (thiazine) group of dyes.
HEALTH HAZARD DATA
Methylene blue is a known animal mutagen and should not be
handled by staff who are pregnant. It is an eye irritant and may
irritate skin. It is moderately to highly toxic by oral and
intravenous routes. In small amounts it is used as an antidote
for methaemoglobinaemia. Eye contact can cause staining of the
eye, stinging and lacrimation. Inhalation may cause Heinz bodies
haemolytic anaemia, methaemoglobinaemia and cyanosis. Ingestion
may cause dryness of mouth, flushed skin, rapid pulse, blurred
vision, dizziness, haemolytic anaemia, cyanosis and
mehaemaglobinaemia. The powder is combustible and should never
be handled close to heat or a naked flame.
TREATMENTS
Skin remove contaminated clothing and shoes then 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). Wash contaminated clothing before
reuse. If discomfort persists seek medical advice.
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 rinse the mouth thoroughly with water and give water
to drink. Do not induce vomiting. Seek immediate medical
attention.
INCOMPATIBILITY
The powder is combustible and should never be handled close to
heat or a naked flame. Can react with oxidising material. Is
incompatible with alkalis, dichromates, alkali iodides and
reducing agents. Heating produces toxic compounds of nitrogen,
sulphur and chlorine.
STORAGE
Store in a cool, dry atmosphere away from heat and incompatible
substances.
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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