 |
|
How to Handle Known Human Carcinogens
|
|
| |
| Checklist |
What to do |
 |
Contact EH&S for health and safety guidance. |
- Contact the chemical safety officer, (858) 822-1579, in Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) for guidance on safe usage when a project involves a known human carcinogen.
- Medical surveillance and additional actions may be needed, including:
- Documentation of the quantities of the carcinogen used
- Worksite air sampling or other testing conducted by EH&S
- Medical testing as prescribed by a physician
|
|
Prepare to handle known human carcinogens. |
|
|
Designate secure storage and work areas.
Sticker designating carcinogen–use area
|
- Control access to designated carcinogen storage and work areas.
- Store carcinogens in a secure area.
- Use carcinogen stickers to label storage and work areas where known carcinogens are used.
- Request carcinogen stickers from the EH&S chemical safety officer, (858) 534-3660.
|
|
Perform work in a "controlled area."
|
A controlled area is a lab, portion of a lab, chemical fume hood, or glove box designated for use of known carcinogens.
- Make everyone in the lab aware of the hazards and the precautions to take during carcinogen use.
- Use appropriate filters to protect lab vacuum pumps used with a carcinogen.
- Control the spread of powdered chemical carcinogens by using a glove box, not a fume hood.
- If you use a glove box, follow these guidelines:
- Ventilate the glove box with at least 2 volume changes per hour.
- Adjust the pressure inside the glove box at least 0.5 inches of water gauge lower than outside (negative pressure).
- If vapors are released, they must be exhausted into a chemical fume hood or trapped using a method approved by the chemical safety officer.
- When your work with the carcinogen is completed, follow these steps:
- Remove all protective clothing and immediately wash your hands, forearms, face, and neck.
- Dispose of any contaminated disposable protective apparel or equipment as hazardous waste, clearly labeled as carcinogenic.
- Thoroughly wash non-disposable apparel and equipment before removing it from the controlled area.
- Thoroughly clean all surfaces in the controlled area before you remove the carcinogen warning sign and resume other work.
|
|
Dispose of hazardous waste properly. |
- Read about how to:
- Contact the Environmental Management Facility, (858) 534-2753, if you have questions about hazardous waste.
|
|
|
Notice: Disposal of hazardous waste using sinks, intentional evaporation, or as regular trash is against the law. Campus laboratories must abide by strict state and federal waste disposal requirements. You may be held liable for violations of applicable laws.
|
|
|
