Chemical Hygiene Plan - Queensborough Community College ...

7.11 Perchloric Acid
Perchloric acid is a strong oxidizing acid that can react violently with organic materials.
Perchloric acid can also explode if concentrated above 72%. For any work involving heated
Perchloric acid (such as in Perchloric acid digestions), the work must be conducted in a special
Perchloric acid fume hood with a wash down function. If heated Perchloric acid is used in a
standard fume hood, the hot Perchloric acid vapors can react with the metal in the hood ductwork
to form shock sensitive metallic perchlorates. When working with Perchloric acid, be sure to
remove all organic materials, such as solvents, from the immediate work area. Because of the
potential danger of Perchloric acid use alternate techniques that do not involve the use of
Perchloric acid if possible. If you must use Perchloric acid in your experiments, only purchase
the smallest size container necessary.
Because Perchloric acid is so reactive, it is important to keep it stored separate from other
chemicals, particularly organic solvents, organic acids, and oxidizers. All containers of
Perchloric acid should be inspected regularly for container integrity and the acid should be
checked for discoloration. Discolored Perchloric acid should be discarded as hazardous waste.
Perchloric acid should be used and stored away from combustible materials, and away from
wooden furniture. Like all acids, secondary containment should be used for storage.
VIII. PARTICULARLY HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
The OSHA Laboratory Standard requires that the Chemical Hygiene Plan include provisions for
additional employee protection for work involving particularly hazardous substances. These
substances include “select carcinogens,” reproductive toxins, and substances which have a high
degree of acute toxicity. Each of these categories will be discussed in detail in later sections.
The OSHA Laboratory Standard states that for work involving particularly hazardous substances,
specific consideration should be given to the following provisions where appropriate:
• Establishment of a designated area.
• Use of containment devices such as fume hoods or glove boxes.
• Procedures for safe removal of contaminated waste.
• Decontamination procedures.
General guidelines and recommendations for the safe handling, use, and control of hazardous
chemicals and particularly hazardous substances can be found in MSDSs and other references
such as Prudent Practices in the Laboratory and Safety in Academic Chemistry Laboratories.
Contact your EHS Office for additional information.
8.1 Establishment of a Designated Area
Laboratories should establish a designated area where particularly hazardous substances can be
used. In some cases, a designated area could be an entire room out of a suite of rooms or could
mean one particular fume hood within a laboratory. The idea is to designate one area that
51