ABC of Safety in the Biological Sciences
PERIODIC ACID (HI04.2H2O)
SYNONYMS
None known.
GENERAL PRECAUTIONS
Avoid skin and eye contact.
Avoid inhalation the vapour or mist.
Avoid ingestion.
Keep away from heat.
Keep away from combustible substances.
Keep away from reducing agents.
Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
CHARACTERISTICS
Colourless to pale yellow liquid or a white to off white powder.
HEALTH HAZARD DATA
It is a severe respiratory tract irritant and is a corrosive
substance causing severe burns to eyes and skin. There is
insufficient data available relating to ingestion but it is
assumed that periodic acid will cause severe internal irritation
and damage.
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 chemical has been removed
(approximately 15 minutes). Apply magnesia/glycerol paste to the
affected area and if pain persists or blistering occurs seek
immediate medical attention. Magnesia/glycerol paste should be
in your laboratory first aid kit if periodic acid is handled in
your laboratory. It is available off the shelf in pharmacies.
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 irritation, pain or blurred
vision persist seek immediate medical attention.
Inhalation remove from the area of exposure to fresh air. Keep
warm and allow to rest. If irritation persists seek immediate
medical attention.
Ingestion wash the mouth thoroughly with water and give water
to drink followed by Milk of Magnesia. Seek immediate medical
advice. Milk of Magnesia should be in your laboratory first aid
kit if periodic acid is handled in your laboratory. It is
available off the shelf in pharmacies.
INCOMPATIBILITY
Heating produces toxic fumes of iodine compounds.
Periodic acid is incompatible with dimethyl sulphoxide.
Contact with combustible materials may cause fire.
Readily reduced to iodic acid by reducing agents.
STORAGE
Store in a cool, dry atmosphere away from heat and incompatible
substances.
HANDLING
Wear protective clothing to avoid skin or eye contact or
inhalation. A long sleeved laboratory coat or gown, rubber
gloves, safety goggles and a face mask as a minimum standard.
DISPOSAL
WEAR:
Rubber gloves, laboratory coat and self contained breathing
apparatus. have a body shield available.
SPILLS:
Cover the contaminated surface with sodium bicarbonate or soda
ash-slaked lime mixture (50/50). Mix, and add water if necessary
to form a slurry. scoop up the slurry and discharge to the sewer
with a large excess of water.. wash the spill site with a soda
ash solution.
PACKAGE LOTS:
Add slowly to a large volume of an agitated solution of soda ash
and slaked lime until the solution is neutral. Discharge to the
sewer with a large excess of water.
ENVIRONMENT:
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