TISSUE PROCESSING - SAFETY DATA
ABSOLUTE ETHANOL
: is a flammable liquid and should never be handled close to heat or naked flame. The vapour is heavier than air and can travel for a considerable distance along the ground to a source of ignition and flash back. Ethanol is regarded as one of the safest industrial solvents because although it possesses narcotic properties, vapour concentrations sufficient to produce narcosis are rarely, if ever, reached in a medical laboratory. Ethanol is rapidly oxidised in the body to carbon dioxide and water and does not produce permanent damage to the central nervous system.AGAR: is regarded as being safe although the powder is an irritant.
EYES - Code 1: SKIN - Code 11: INHALED - Code 14: INGESTED - Code 18
CELLOSOLVE (2-ethoxyethanol): is a flammable substance and should never be handled close to heat or naked flame. The vapour is heavier than air and can travel along the ground for a considerable distance to a source of ignition and flash back. It is an irritant and a neurotoxin. It is also a teratogen and should not be handled during pregnancy. This is a very dangerous substance and should be handled with the greatest of care.
EYES - Code 3; SKIN - Code 5; INHALED - Code 15; INGESTED - Code 21
CETYL ALCOHOL: is an eye irritant. Data is not available on the effects of skin contact, inhalation or ingestion of this substance. Handle with care.
EYES - Code 2: SKIN - Code 13: INHALED - Code 15: INGESTED - Code 17
DIETHYL ETHER: is highly flammable and should never be handled close to heat or a naked flame. The vapour is heavier than air and can travel for a considerable distance along the ground to a source of ignition and flash back. It is an eye, skin and mucous membrane irritant and has narcotic properties. Alcohol consumption will enhance the toxic effects of diethyl ether.
EYES - Code 3; SKIN - Code 12; INHALED - Code 15; INGESTED - Code 23
ETHYLENE GLYCOL: is a flammable liquid and should never be handled close to heat or naked flame. It is a teratogen and a foetotoxin and should never be handled during pregnancy. It has decreased sperm counts in tests upon laboratory animals. It is a toxic substance and a skin, eye and respiratory tract irritant. The vapour is also toxic and an irritant. It can be absorbed through the skin in doses large enough to cause toxicity. Inhalation of the vapour can cause headache, dizziness and nausea. Systemic effects include anaemia, liver and kidney damage with possible death.
EYES - Code 2; SKIN - Code 12; INHALED - Code 16; INGESTED - Code 29
FORMALDEHYDE: is a moderately flammable liquid when exposed to heat or a naked flame. It is an animal carcinogen, a strong eye, skin and mucous membrane irritant and skin sensitiser. Death has been reported in workers exposed to high levels of formalin vapour.
EYES - Code 3; SKIN - Code 12; INHALED - Code 16; INGESTED - Code 24
GLYCEROL MONOSTEARATE: is an eye irritant. Data is not available on the effects of skin contact, inhalation or ingestion of this substance. Handle with care.
EYES - Code 2: SKIN - Code 13: INHALED - Code 15: INGESTED - Code 17
LOW VISCOSITY NITROCELLULOSE: is dissolved in a solution of equal parts absolute ethanol and diethyl ether. As such it is a highly flammable solution and should never be handled close to heat or a naked flame.
EYES - Code 3; SKIN - Code 12; INHALED - Code 15; INGESTED - Code 23
POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL: these are water soluble waxes which are used in cosmetics and as food additives and are regarded as safe.
EYES - Code 1; SKIN - Code 11; INHALED - Code 14; INGESTED - Code 18
SODIUM CARBONATE: is a mild eye and respiratory tract irritant.
EYES - Code 2; SKIN - Code 4; INHALED - Code 14; INGESTED - Code 20
TRI-SODIUM PHOSPHATE - Eye contact will cause irritation and may cause severe eye pain and permanent eye damage. Skin contact causes reddening, itching and irritation. Corrosion can occur if the substance is not quickly removed. Inhalation causes irritation, coughing and choking. Ingestion will cause burns to the mouth and intestinal tract with pain, nausea, vomiting, cramps and diarrhoea.
EYES - Code 3: SKIN - Code 12: INHALED - Code 16: INGESTED - Code 21