SOP for Heavy Atoms

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Standard Operating Procedure for
Preparation of Heavy-atom Reagents
in the SER-CAT Laboratory B030

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• It is the USERS responsibility to read this material and follow the principles of working safely in the wet lab B030
• It is the USERS responsibility to record all heavy-atom materials in the Hazardous Waste Log Book in the laboratory
• All USERS preparing heavy-atom derivatives in the laboratory are requested to sign the ESAF form on their arrival. This will demonstrate that the principles of working with heavy-atom reagents is clearly understood at the SER-CAT facility.

Thank you

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• Heavy-atom Compounds are toxic
• Laboratory practices will be adopted to minimize the exposure to the reagents and minimize the quantity of all types of heavy-atom waste generated during their use.
• All heavy-atom reagents generated at the SER-CAT facility must have a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). These are stored in the binder located on the wall outside the wet lab.
• The USER must read and understand the MSDS sections on toxicity and treatment in case of an accidental exposure to these reagents.
• All heavy-atom reagents generated at the SER-CAT facility must be logged by the USER by chemical name, quantity (e.g.. mg/ml), and user badge number on the hazardous waste forms kept in the laboratory (see SER-CAT STAFF on duty)
• Many heavy-atom reagents are water soluble, but a limited number require an organic solvent as a carrier (e.g. DMSO, DMF etc). These cocktails of heavy-atom reagents and organic solvent are hazardous. NOTE: organic solvents are lipophilic and penetrate the skin and create hazardous vapors.
• All heavy-atom reagents should be used in the fume hood which is located in the wet lab B030. Please minimize the dispersal of heavy-atom reagents on common surfaces of the laboratory, common bench tops, the sink, the microbalance, etc.

• Prepare yourself a heavy-atom working area. • Use the trays provided and place an absorbent spill-cloth over the tray. • Label a plastic waste can prior to working. • Please record the heavy atom waste type; i.e. Hg, Pb, Au, Pt, Lanthanides, etc. • This area is your "mobile" working area for heavy-atom preparation.
	Please note, when you use the micro-pipettes, wipe them down with a tissue wetted with isopropanol after use. Heavy atom contamination carries over on all surfaces.

• Please double-glove. • When you remove the top pair of gloves, invert them into one another. Any surface contamination is now on the inside! • Please remove your gloves before you exit the laboratory.
	Wash your hands

• Label a plastic zip-lock bag for waste, tissue, wipes, gloves, etc. • Please record the name of the heavy atom reagents. • Estimate quantity of reagent - typically, micrograms of Hg etc. • Record the USER badge number and the date.



You will find: • labels • Hazardous Waste bags • The Hazardous Waste Log Book in the wet lab B030
	•All heavy-atom reagents used in the wet lab must be entered into the Hazardous Waste Log Book


• Form WMO-197. • The Hazardous Waste Log Book records •USER ID Badge # • Number of containers • Waste Description ( Complete Chemical Name) No symbols or formulas, and one chemical per line entry


• Number of containers • Waste Description ( Complete Chemical Name with MDSD) No symbols or formulas, and one chemical per line entry • Percent of Total Waste Amount (%) – must equal 100%

• Cocktails of heavy-atom reagents and organic solvent are hazardous. Organic solvents are lipophilic and penetrate the skin readily and create hazardous vapors. • Use the fume hood for preparation of heavy-atom reagents
	• Use your "mobile" working area for heavy-atom preparation in the fume hood
•Please leave the fume hood clean for the next user

• Weigh out the heavy-atom reagents carefully. Most contamination occurs when weighing heavy-atoms. • Please clean up the balance and surrounding area when you have finished.
	• Use your "mobile" working area for heavy-atom preparation at the balance. • Wash off contaminated micro-spatulas with isopropanol onto a tissue, and dispose of the tissue as heavy atom waste.
• After the primary ispropanol wash, micro-spatulas must be rinsed extensively with tap water, then distilled water.

• Never place any heavy-atom waste into the broken glass and sharps containers in the wet lab B030 or the regular trash bins. • Store all your heavy atom materials in the large zip-lock bag which has been fully labeled with Date, User Badge #, Heavy Atom Name, and Total quantity of waste.

	• Place the large bag of heavy atom waste into the fume hood and inform a member of the SER-CAT User Support Staff.

•Please rinse out the sink when you have finished.	Thank		you