OSHA Regulated Chemicals 

EH&S has developed safety guidance, supplemental training, and resources for the use of specific chemicals in the workplace, including at Columbia University. Additional information on these chemicals is available below.  

Guidelines for Safely using Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is a colorless, strong-smelling gas commonly used in research as an aqueous solution for preservation of tissue specimens. Formaldehyde is a sensitizing agent and is a known human carcinogen that is linked to nasal cancer and lung cancer. Acute exposure is highly irritating to the respiratory system and can cause headaches and eye and throat irritation at very low concentrations. Researchers can be exposed via inhalation when vapors escape into the workplace. Dermal exposure can happen when unprotected hands or bare skin comes in contact with liquid formaldehyde solutions.  

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration’s (OSHA) Formaldehyde Standard (29 CFR 1910.1048) establishes requirements that are intended to protect against employee exposure to formaldehyde gas, its solutions, and materials that release formaldehyde.

Any researcher who uses formaldehyde should complete Appendix E2 in RASCAL to detail the controls they are implementing to prevent excess exposure. Instructions on how to complete the Appendix can be found on the Hazardous Materials Appendix System in Rascal. 

Researchers working with formaldehyde quantities over 0.1 mL must always work in a certified chemical fume hood. Quantities over 0.1 mL may be used on a benchtop only after an assessment by EH&S.  

Researchers must wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as lab coats, gloves, goggles, and face shields appropriate for use with formaldehyde. Use non-latex gloves, such as nitrile or butyl rubber when handling formaldehyde. Avoid contact to the eyes and skin with liquids containing one (1%) percent or greater formaldehyde. Do not reuse PPE and/or clothing that has become contaminated with formaldehyde before it is cleaned or laundered. If clothing or equipment is being stored prior to storage please label the container with the label below. If items are not being laundered or cleaned they should be disposed of as hazardous waste with an EH&S hazardous waste label.   

Store contaminated PPE and clothing in containers labeled as:  

DANGER 

 FORMALDEHYDE -CONTAMINATED (CLOTHING) EQUIPMENT 

 AVOID INHALATION AND SKIN CONTACT.  

TC3750 is an online RASCAL training course available to employees who use formaldehyde, including formalin solutions, and/or paraformaldehyde. The course is designed to meet the training requirements of the OSHA Formaldehyde Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1048 and is required for individuals who use formaldehyde outside a certified chemical fume hood in quantities greater than 0.1 mL.  

Individuals who have been exposed to formaldehyde in excess of regulatory limits shall be referred to Workforce Health and Safety (WHS) at Columbia University Irving Medical Center or another healthcare provider for immediate medical consultation.   

Employees exposed in an emergency shall be medically evaluated as soon as possible. If there is a life-threatening condition as a result of exposure, the employee(s) should seek immediate attention at an appropriate medical facility with follow-up the next business day, or as soon as possible, in Workforce Health & Safety or another healthcare provider. The Columbia University Accident Report Form should be completed.  

Emergency Contacts 

The Principal Investigator/Supervisor is the primary contact, and they shall establish appropriate procedures and communicate to their employees, instructions on how to handle emergencies minimizing injury. 

The Principal Investigator/Supervisor should make employees familiar with the spill kit, its location, and proper use. (For major spills, call EH&S during regular work hours or Public Safety on campus during evening hours, weekends and holidays).  

Employees working with quantities of formaldehyde greater than 0.1 mL outside of a certified chemical fume hood are required to contact EH&S at [email protected] to discuss exposure prevention methods. 

To maintain formaldehyde exposure below the limits established by the OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.1048, the EH&S Occupational Safety team can perform risk assessment upon request. The risk assessment will review workplace practices, engineering controls, and administrative controls to evaluate potential exposure risks and recommendations to reduce exposure.  

OSHA Exposure Limits  

The table below shows OSHA limits for exposure to formaldehyde. Determination of an employee's exposure shall be made from air samples taken at the breathing zone that are representative of an 8-hour workday and/or 15-minute short term exposure. 

Exposure monitoring shall be repeated upon notification by the Principal Investigator/Supervisor each time there is a change in production, equipment, process, personnel, or control measures which may result in a new or additional exposure to formaldehyde.  

Monitoring will also be repeated at the request of the employee or when any employee reports signs and symptoms of respiratory or dermal exposure to formaldehyde.

Guidelines for Safely using Isoflurane

Isoflurane is the most commonly used halogenated anesthetic in animal research. It is a clear, colorless, volatile liquid at room temperature and pressure. Researchers can be exposed via inhalation when vapors escape into the work environment during the administration of anesthesia.   

Isoflurane is an eye and skin irritant and central nervous system toxicant. Long-term exposure may cause chronic or adverse health effects including nausea, dizziness, fatigue, headache, irritability, reduced mental performance, liver and kidney disease, and possible reproductive effects.  

Safe work practices can reduce or eliminate potential exposure. These work practices include ensuring the proper function of the all anesthesia delivery equipment and accessories (e.g. tight-fitting hose connections), and the use of proper engineering controls (e.g. chemical fume hoods or snorkel trunks), to control fugitive vapor during procedures. Always follow manufacturer's recommendations for maintaining vaporizers and other equipment.    

Vapors can escape into the work environment if leaking, unsealed or poorly sealed anesthetic systems are being used. Using a nose cone that does not form a tight seal or opening an active induction chamber to retrieve the subject also contributes to the presence of waste anesthetic gas in the work environment. 

Below are some general recommendations for safe work practices and personal protective equipment. 

Storage 

Store containers of isoflurane in a cool, well ventilated, secure location away from heat sources. 

Delivery and Maintenance of Isoflurane Vaporizers  

The ideal set-up location for delivery and use of isoflurane in a small animal procedure is inside a Chemical Fume Hood or a Ducted Biological Safety Cabinet (Class II). These systems have ventilation capable of efficiently capturing fumes and exhausting them out of the work area. 

There are two types of scavenging systems used by isoflurane vaporizers: active and passive. Active scavenging systems remove fugitive isoflurane vapors using a pump, fan, or exhaust to draw waste anesthetic gas through a charcoal canister. Passive scavenging systems remove fugitive anesthetic vapors by relying on the positive pressure from the anesthetic gas delivery system and/or the exhalation of the animal to drive waste anesthetic gas through the charcoal canister. If a passive isoflurane system is used outside a chemical fume hood or ducted biosafety cabinet, an EH&S consultation must be completed. A “bell jar” system can only be used inside a chemical fume hood or ducted biosafety cabinet.  

Charcoal canisters must be weighed before and after each use. Each canister has a maximum weight, and once the canister reaches this maximum weight, it must be disposed of as hazardous waste through EH&S. A canister’s maximum weight at saturation depends on the size of the canister. Refer to manufacturer’s guidance for the total weight or time limit at which the canister should be replaced. A charcoal canister usage log must be kept, to track the canisters' weight/usage.  

Personal Protective Equipment  

Use appropriate personal protective equipment during procedures involving isoflurane. This includes a lab coat, safety glasses, and gloves. If working in a central ICM vivarium, follow any additional PPE requirements.  

TC6850 is an online RASCAL training course available to employees who use anesthetic gas systems. This course is required for individuals working with anesthetic gases in research and will cover safe handling and use of these gases. 

When a spill occurs, it has the potential to expose personnel to hazardous chemicals through inhalation, skin contact, ingestion, or eye contact.  

A small chemical spill is the one that the laboratory staff is capable of handling safely without the assistance of safety and emergency personnel. In the event of a small chemical spill, use the following information for a safe cleanup process.  

  • Alert people in the immediate area of spill.
  • Open outside windows, if possible.
  • Wear protective equipment, including safety goggles, gloves, and long-sleeve lab coats.
  • Avoid breathing vapors from the spill.
  • Confine spill to as small an area as possible.   
  • Do not wash, spill down the drain.
  • Use appropriate spill kits/sorbents to absorb spills. Collect contaminated materials and residues and place them in a container. Contact [email protected] for proper disposal. 

EH&S is available to evaluate potential exposures and perform evaluations of vaporizing apparatuses upon request. Requests may be placed by completing the Hazard Assessment Form. 

Exposure Limits 

OSHA has not established a regulatory permissible exposure limit (PEL) for isoflurane. The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienist (ACGIH) has established a non-regulatory occupational exposure limit for isoflurane of 50 ppm as an 8-hour time weighted average (TWA). The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (CAL/OSHA) has established a more stringent regulatory PEL of 2 ppm as an 8-hour TWA. Columbia University uses the more conservative limit of 2 ppm at this time.  

Columbia University Isoflurane Policy 
 
External Resources:    

Guidelines for Safely using Hydrofluoric Acid

Hydrofluoric Acid (HF) is an inorganic acid which is derived from dissolving hydrogen fluoride in water. HF is a non-combustible, colorless, fuming liquid or gas with a strong, irritating odor. HF readily dissolves in water to form colorless hydrofluoric acid solutions; dilute solutions are visibly indistinguishable from water. HF is a skin and eye irritant, acutely toxic when inhaled, and causes germ cell mutagenicity. Mild effects of inhalation of HF include irritation, inflammation, and coughing. Severe effects include narrowing and swelling of the throat, causing upper airway obstruction. The effects of inhalation exposure may occur immediately or progress over 12 to 36 hours after exposure. Exposure to concentrations of <20% HF may cause no immediate pain, but serious injury can develop over 12-24 hours. Exposure to HF in higher concentrations can cause immediate pain and swelling and in concentrations >50% throbbing burns with whitish discoloration of the skin may appear.  

Although hydrofluoric acid is a weak acid compared with most other mineral acids, it can produce serious health effects by any route of exposure. HF is extremely corrosive and will attack all tissues of the body. These effects are due to the fluoride ion's aggressive, destructive penetration of tissues. Exposure to high concentrations of HF may result in systemic toxicity due to calcium channel disruption. Additionally, the fluoride ion in HF has an affinity for calcium and magnesium, two minerals that are essential for bodily health. As the fluoride binds with calcium, it consumes the body’s supply of this mineral in the blood and also attacks bone structure, forming calcium fluoride salts. As calcium levels are depleted in the blood, a condition known as hypocalcemia, organ failure begins to occur, heart function becomes erratic and can eventually fail, resulting in death. 

Any person exposed to HF must have immediate first aid, followed by immediate medical treatment from a physician.  

Safe Work Practices 

All use of HF requires the presence of proper engineering controls. HF should always be handled inside a properly functioning chemical fume hood that is identified with signage indicating that HF is used in the area. Before use, always confirm the fume hood is certified and working properly. Ensure the fume hood sash is opened as little as possible – the sash must not be opened beyond the arrow on the certification sticker. Prior to starting work, ensure the nearest emergency safety shower/eyewash is accessible and is working properly (water should run clear and consistently).  

Purchase and use HF in the smallest quantities and lowest concentration necessary. Prior to beginning work with HF develop a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) with a written set of instructions that describe in detail how to perform the procedure.   

NEVER STORE HF IN GLASS CONTAINERS! Hydrofluoric acid reacts with many materials, therefore, avoid contact with glass, concrete, metals, water, oxidizers, reducers, alkalis, combustibles, organics and ceramics. HF must be stored in tightly closed containers made of polyethylene. Secondary containment of polyethylene must also be used. Protect containers from physical damage. Storage facilities should have adequate ventilation and be constructed for safe containment of acids.  

Hydrofluoric acid is an extremely hazardous material. Lab personnel should utilize a buddy system and never work alone. 

Personal Protective Equipment   

Hand Protection: Heavy neoprene, thick nitrile rubber, or butyl rubber gloves are best for working with HF (note that HF attacks natural rubber); however, the increased thickness of the gloves reduces dexterity, increasing the possibility of spills. Wear two pairs of nitrile exam gloves at a time, changing the outer pair often. When working with larger quantities of HF in procedures that do not require as much dexterity, wear heavy nitrile or neoprene rubber gloves, with a nitrile exam glove worn under the outer glove. Confirm that all glove lengths are sufficient to cover any exposed skin between the wrists and lab coat cuffs. Remove and replace gloves if any indication of contamination as soon as possible.  

Body Protection: When working with HF, wear clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) that provides protection in the event of a spill: a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and closed shoes, in accordance with the University’s PPE Policy. Always wear a lab coat, chemical-resistant neoprene apron and sleeves. Do not wear shorts and sandals in the laboratory.   

Eye Protection: Indirectly vented chemical goggles, along with a face shield, should be worn when handling HF to prevent eye/face exposure.

TC1650 Hydrofluoric Acid Training is required for all users of hydrofluoric acid at Columbia University. This training aims to educate users in hazard recognition, safe use, and proper handling of Hydrofluoric Acid.  

Any person exposed to HF must receive immediate first aid, followed by immediate medical treatment from a physician. 

Skin Exposure: Rapid decontamination is critical to minimizing/preventing injury. If exposure occurs, remove contaminated clothing and immediately wash the affected area with copious amounts of water for 5 minutes. Have someone call for medical assistance during this time. It is critical to apply 2.5 % calcium gluconate first aid gel to affected areas after washing with copious amounts of water for a minimum of 5 minutes. Don a new pair of gloves in order to avoid secondary HF burns while applying the calcium gluconate gel. Anyone who provides assistance should also use the appropriate PPE. Calcium gluconate binds HF and prevents it from penetrating deeper into tissues. In an unfavorable situation where calcium gluconate gel is not available, flushing with water should be continued for 15 minutes or until emergency medical assistance arrives.   

Inhalation: Immediately remove the victim from the area and move to clean air until emergency personnel arrive on scene. Unlike external splashes, inhalation exposure is a serious medical emergency and is more problematic because there are no immediate decontamination procedures. Call for immediate medical assistance. Keep the person calm until medial help arrives.  

Eye Exposure: Immediately flush eyes for at least 5 minutes with copious amounts of water, then switch to using 1% calcium gluconate solution as the flushing agent until emergency personnel arrive on scene. In case of unavailability of 1% calcium gluconate solution, keep flushing eyes with water until emergency medical assistance arrives. Do not use calcium gluconate gel on the eyes. 

EH&S is available to evaluate potential exposures and perform evaluations of HF set-ups upon request. Requests may be placed by completing the Hazard Assessment Form.