Office of Environmental Health & Safety
Georgetown University Medical Center
LM-12 Preclinical Science Building, 3900 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC
20057
(202)687-4712
Fax: (202)687-5046
Particularly Hazardous Substances
Particularly hazardous substances (PHS) are those chemicals with special acute or chronic hazards. The OSHA laboratory Standard (29 CFR § 1910.1450) defines PHSs as select carcinogens, reproductive toxins, or substances which have a high degree of acute toxicity. The Standard requires Standard Operating Procedures "relevant to safety and health considerations to be followed when laboratory work involves the use of hazardous chemicals."
Two lists are provided to guide laboratories in knowing what substances require development of Standard Operating Procedures; Laboratory Chemicals and Drugs. The Lab Chemical list is organized alphabetically by name, as well as by Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) number.
PHS Lab Chemical - Alphabetical
PHS Lab Chemical – CAS Number
PHS Drug - Alphabetical
Carcinogens – A carcinogen is a substance capable of causing cancer. Carcinogens are chronically toxic substances; that is, they cause damage after repeated or long-duration exposure, and their effects may become evident only after a long latency period. A chemical is considered a carcinogen, if it is included in any of the following carcinogen lists:
Reproductive Toxins – Reproductive toxins are substances that have adverse effects on various aspects of reproduction, including fertility, gestation, lactation, and general reproductive performance. When a pregnant woman is exposed to a chemical, the fetus may be exposed as well because the placenta is an extremely poor barrier to chemicals. Reproductive toxins can affect both men and women. Male reproductive toxins can in some cases lead to sterility. Reproductive toxins are listed in the table as included in Catalog of Teratogenic Agents, T.H. Shepard, 12th Edition, Johns Hopkins Press, 2007. These are included in the table as REPRO SHEP.
Substances with a High Acute Toxicity – High acute toxicity includes any chemical that falls within any of the following OSHA- defined categories:
These are included in the table as HTX EPA.
Drugs – Drugs included in the PHS list are those listed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in Preventing Occupational Exposure to Antineoplastic and Other Hazardous Drugs in Health Care Settings (Appendix A). Hazardous drugs and the American Hospital Formulary Service (AHFS) Pharmacologic-Therapeutic Classifications are included alphabetically following the toxic chemicals discussed above.
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES (SOP)
Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) are written instructions required by OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.1450, "Occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals in laboratories", that document work practices and processes that must be followed when using a hazardous matarial. They are intended to be specific to each laboratory's operations/protocols.
A written SOP is required for work involving particularly hazardous substances, which includes select carcinogens, reproductive toxins and acutely toxic chemicals. All SOPs must be reviewed by EH&S. If requested, EH&S will provide assistance in the development of the written SOP.
The use of SOPs needs to be reviewed and re-enforced by the Principal Investigator. Current SOPs must be readily accessible for reference in the workplace to all individuals using the material.
Particularly hazardous chemicals must only be used in designated areas. It is important to designate as small an area as possible. However, if it is necessary, an entire lab can be a designated area. The purpose of a designated area is both to confine the particularly hazardous chemical to a specific/small area and to alert all staff that particularly hazardous chemicals are used in a specific area.
Decontamination procedures must consist of any necessary daily, weekly, or monthly (etc.) procedures performed to control exposure of employees. This may consist only of wiping a counter with a wet paper towel or periodic use of a neutralizing agent. In addition, decontamination procedures must also consider spill response requirements. Spill procedures must be specific to each lab and must consider the chemical (or type of chemical), the amount of chemical used, the specific use, the location of use, and other factors. However, if an employee determines at any time that he/she is unsure about his/her safety while cleaning the spill, the employee must stop, evacuate, and call 7-HELP. Some common examples are listed below. These examples are not all inclusive and the amounts listed are approximate. If assistance is needed for different chemicals or procedures, review Appendix C and contact EH&S with any questions.
Standard Operating Procedures
The SOP form and sample SOPs are included in fillable .pdf format and word documents below. If you should have any problems filling or printing the forms, please contact EH&S at 7-4712.
Sample GUMC SOPs:
Chloroform |
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| Ethidium Bromide | Dimethylbenzanthracene
(DMBA) |
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Formaldehyde
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Perchloric
Acid |
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Streptozotocin
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Tamoxifen
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Useful Links and Resources:
AIHA Laboratory Health & Safety Committee SOPs
Occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals in laboratories. - 1910.1450