Standard Operating Procedure

for work with

Chemical
Lithium Chloride
name/class:
PI: Suraj Saifullah
Buildi
ng:

Millis Science Center

CAS 7447-41-8
#:
Date 9/1/2015
:
Room Lab 313
#:

1. Circumstances of Use:
Used as part of an indicator solution for complexing with organometallic reagents and
reaction with iodine.
2. Potential Hazards:
Powder is a skin irritant, an eye irritant, and toxic to inhalation and ingestion.
Oral LD50: 526mg/kg [rat], 1165mg/kg [mouse]
Dermal LD50: greater than 2000mg/kg [rat]
Dust inhalation: 5.57mg/kg [rat]
3. Engineering Controls:
Work with loose powder in fume hood when at all possible.
4. Work Practice Controls:
When possible, order the material in liquid form, or purchase in pre-weighed amounts,
preferably in a sealed vial with a septum so that the diluent can be injected directly into
the vial.
Set up a designated area for work with toxic powders and suspensions thereof, and label
it.
Determine a means for decontaminating the work area. (Daily HEPA vacuuming or wet
cleaning methods (with a compatible solvent) are required for any work that may generate
aerosols. Note that HEPA vacuuming is not recommended for reactive materials, as they
may react with other materials collected in the vacuum, or with components of the
vacuum itself.)
If weighing dry powders and the balance cannot be located in a fume hood or BSC, tare a
container then add the material to the container in a hood and seal the container before
returning to the balance to weigh the powder.
Change gloves regularly (at least every two hours) and wash hands at the time of the
glove change.
If using a HEPA vacuum, change the filter inside a chemical fume hood or biological safety
cabinet. If the HEPA vacuum may be used for incompatible materials, maintain a log of
vacuum use so that collection of incompatible materials can be avoided.
Keep containers closed as much as possible.
5. Personal protective equipment (PPE):
Standard nitrile laboratory gloves and a fully buttoned lab coat with sleeves extending to
the wrists should be worn when handling toxic powders. When handling suspensions or
solutions, choose a glove that is protective against the solvent.
If splashes may occur, wear goggles. Otherwise, wear standard laboratory safety glasses.
6. Transportation and Storage:
Dry powders must be in sealed shatter-resistant containers during transportation. If the
container is not shatter-resistant, use a secondary container.
If the material may be flammable, reactive, or explosive, keep away from heat and open

flame.
Keep toxic powders away from any incompatible materials.

7. Waste Disposal:
Unwanted toxic powders (and suspensions of toxic powders) must be disposed of following
your laboratory-specific chemical hygiene plan.
8. Exposures/Unintended contact:
Flush exposed eyes or skin with water for at least 15 minutes, then seek medical
attention.
For situations with risk of inhalation exposure (including spills outside of a chemical fume
hood), remove all persons from the contaminated area and contact the 216.368.3333
9. Spill Procedure:
Spills of liquid suspensions should be absorbed with a suitable absorbent. Afterwards, wetwipe the affected area three times. Place all absorbent and PPE into a bag and seal, then
manage as chemical waste.
For spills of dry powders in a chemical fume hood or other enclosure, or very small spills
outside a chemical fume hood, wipe up the powder using a cloth dampened with a suitable
absorbent, (determined in advance) or wet the powder with a suitable absorbent and then
wipe with a dry cloth. Consider using electrostatic microfiber cleaning cloths, especially if
the powder is likely to carry an electrostatic charge. Alternately (or in addition), a HEPA
vacuum (preferably with electrostatic-charge-neutralization features) may be used for
cleaning the spill (but do not use the vacuum for cleaning incompatible materials).
Minimize the fume hood or enclosure opening during this process.
10.Training of personnel:
All personnel shall read and fully adhere to the laboratory-specific SOP for toxic powders,
and shall document that they have read it by signing and dating the SOP.