How to Handle Known Human Carcinogens

• 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

• Follow all procedures for working with suspect human carcinogens.
  • Read How to Handle Suspect Human Carcinogens.
  Follow the rest of the steps in this checklist.
• Use engineering controls, such as a glove box or fume hood.
• Use personal protection equipment:
  • Gloves, safety glasses, and a lab coat are required.
  • Use disposable sleeve protectors and disposable lab coat or smock, as appropriate.
• Follow emergency procedures for exposure and spills.
• Follow proper waste disposal procedures.

• 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.

Sticker designating carcinogen–use 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.

• Read about how to:
  • Identify hazardous chemical waste
  • Store and dispose of hazardous and extremely hazardous chemical waste
  • Request a hazardous waste collection
• Contact the Environmental Management Facility, (858) 534-2753, if you have questions about hazardous waste.