ABC of Safety in the Biological Sciences
2PROPANOL [(CH3)2CHOH]
SYNONYMS
Isopropanol, dimethylcarbinol, IPA, Npropan2ol, PRO,
propan2ol, isopropyl alcohol, secpropyl alcohol.
GENERAL PRECAUTIONS
Use a spark proof fume hood.
Avoid skin and eye contact.
Avoid inhalation.
Keep away from heat, sparks or naked flames.
Keep away from strong oxidising agent.
Do not pour down the sink.
CHARACTERISTICS
Colourless liquid with a slight odour resembling a mixture of
acetone and ethanol. Flammable liquid. Vapours are heavier than
air and may travel a considerable distance to a source of
ignition and flash back.
HEALTH HAZARD DATA
2Propanol is a severe eye, skin and mucous membrane irritant
and a central nervous system depressant. Death may occur from
respiratory paralysis. Acute exposure of the vapours to the eyes
can cause profuse lacrimation. A splash may cause irritation,
burns and permanent corneal damage. It is absorbed through the
skin causing narcosis with nausea, vomiting, hypotension,
anaemia, uraemia, depressed respiration and coma. Inhalation at
20,000ppm causes dizziness, incoordination, headache, confusion,
persistent nausea, haematemesis, abdominal pain, stupor,
hypotension, anaemia, refractory narcosis, areflexia, depressed
respiration, oliguria followed by diuresis and uraemia. Severe
cases may cause coma. Ingestion causes the same symptoms with
death possibly occurring from respiratory paralysis.
TREATMENTS
Skin remove contaminated clothing and shoes 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). Seek medical advice.
Eyes if eye contact occurs immediately wash the affected eye
with large amounts of water until all evidence of the chemical
has been removed (approximately 15 minutes). Seek medical
advice.
Inhalation immediately remove the patient to fresh air.
Administer oxygen if required. Keep warm and allow to rest. Seek
immediate medical advice.
Ingestion get immediate medical advice. If medical attention
is not available immediately and the victim is conscious attempt
to induce vomiting by touching a finger to the back of the
throat.
INCOMPATIBILITY
2Propanol is incompatible with:
Strong oxidising agents explosive mixtures.
Metal alkalis, e.g. aluminium, triisobutyl.
Phosgene in the presence of iron salts may explode.
Trinitromethane possibly explosive.
Hydrogen and palladium with 2propanol vapour flammable on
contact with air.
Potassium tertbutoxide ignites.
Dioxygenyl tetrafluoroborate ignites at ambient temperatures.
Chromium trioxide ignites.
2Butanone forms potentially explosive products.
Hydrogen peroxide forms an explosive compound.
Oxygen gas forms potentially explosive ketones.
Heating 2propanol produces toxic oxides of carbon.
Do not pour waste material down the sink as it may produce a
fire or explosion hazard.
STORAGE
Keep away from heat, sparks or naked flames. Store in a cool,
dry, well ventilated area away from strong oxidising agents and
incompatible substances.
HANDLING
Use a fume hood that will keep the level of exposure below the
recommended limit, ie. 400ppm OSHA, TWA, NIOSH. Above this limit
use a respirator.
If exposure is likely to exceed 800ppm over 15 minutes then wear
a selfcontained breathing apparatus. The fume hood should be
spark proof. Wear protective clothing, a long sleeved laboratory
coat or gown, rubber gloves, safety goggles and a face mask as a
minimum standard.
DISPOSAL
WEAR:
Rubber gloves, face shield and laboratory coat. Have an all
purpose canister respirator available.
SPILLS:
A gas leak: keep the concentration of the gas below the
explosive mixture range by forced ventilation. Remove the tank
to an open area and allow dissipation to the atmosphere. Attempt
to cap the valve outlet and return the tank to the supplier.
A liquid: absorb on paper. Evaporate in an iron pan in a flame
proof fume hood then burn the paper.
A solid: sweep on to paper and place in an iron pan in a fume
hood. Burn the paper and compound.
PACKAGE LOTS:
A gas leak: pipe the gas into an incinerator or lower into a pit
and allow to burn.
A liquid: atomise into an incinerator. Combustion may be
improved by mixing with a more flammable solvent.
A solid: make up packages in paper or other flammable material.
Burn in the incinerator. Or the solid may be dissolved in a
flammable solvent and sprayed into a fire chamber.
ENVIRONMENT:
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