How to deal with a lab chemical spill

3. Communication

First and foremost, it is important to remain calm and ensure that all laboratory personnel are moved away from the area while the appropriate response is determined.

In the case of a minor chemical spill that poses no health threat, laboratory personnel in the immediate area of the spill should be alerted.  As outlined in the relevant SOP, the appropriate laboratory manager, safety officer, safety team and/or emergency services should be notified immediately.

This article will concentrate on the eight steps involved in managing a minor chemical spill.  However, in the unlikely event that a major chemical spill has occurred, the laboratory and/or building should be evacuated, and emergency services notified.  If laboratory personnel were contaminated the nearest emergency eyewash or safety shower needs to be located, any contaminated clothing removed, and all areas of the body flushed with copious amounts of water.

4. Control of Spill

The first step in cleaning up a chemical spill should involve the control and containment of the spill.  Before commencing the clean-up of a chemical spill, all personnel must be wearing the appropriate PPE including safety goggles, gloves and long-sleeve lab coats.

• The source of the spill should be identified and contained by turning off taps or by stopping the main source for any spills caused by leaks.
• The spill should be contained from spreading by making a barrier using absorbent materials around the outside edges of the spill.
• If the substance is volatile or can produce vapours or airborne dust, close the lab door and increase ventilation to the area, if possible.

5. Clean-Up

For most chemicals not listed below, clean-up of minor spills can be handled using the appropriate spill kit or absorbent material such as vermiculite, dry sand, or cat litter. The residue should be collected and placed in the appropriate chemical waste disposal container.

6.Acid

Handling of acid spills should use the appropriate kit to neutralise and absorb the inorganic acids and bases.  Acids can be neutralised with soda ash or sodium bicarbonate whereas bases can be neutralised with citric acid or ascorbic acid.  Following neutralisation, the pH of the spill should be checked to ensure that the spill has been neutralised.  In most cases, once an acid or base spill has been neutralised, the spill can be mopped up and rinsed down the drain. Otherwise, the spill should be absorbed using the appropriate absorbent material which can then be disposed of in the chemical waste container.

7. Biological Spills

Many laboratories deal with many biohazards including body fluids such as blood, urine, tissues or organs, cell cultures and microorganisms.  The appropriate PPE is particularly important when cleaning up biological spills to prevent contact with contaminated surfaces and protect from exposure to splattered materials.

• The spill is covered with paper towels or absorbent pads.
• Decontaminate using a freshly prepared 10% (vol./vol. w/water) dilution of household bleach or hospital-grade disinfectant- careful to avoid splashing.
• Allow it to sit for 15 minutes.
• Use paper towels or other absorbent material to wipe up the spill.
• Further, clean the spill area with fresh towels soaked in disinfectant.
• Dispose of the towels and/or absorbent material in the biohazardous waste container.

8. Flammable Liquids

Before commencing handling of the flammable liquid spill, it is important to ensure the removal of all potential sources of ignition. Vapours tend to accumulate near the ground and it is essential that the area is properly ventilated. Flammable liquid spills are best cleaned-up with the use of spill pads that are backed with a vapour barrier.  Flammable liquids will normally be disposed by incineration, and as such clean-up procedures should avoid using inert absorbents such as cat litter. All absorbent materials used in the clean-up should be disposed of in heavy-duty poly bags, which are labeled.

9. Mercury Spills

Mercury spills are normally considered minor, nonhazardous spills unless the spill occurs in a poorly ventilated area.  The area where the mercury spill has occurred should be cordoned off to prevent further dispersal of the spill.The mercury spill can be cleaned up using a special absorbent that amalgamates the smaller mercury droplets.  Use of this method allows the mercury to be collected and immediately ready for use again.

10. Radioactive Spills

Absorbent material such as paper towels should be placed over the radioactive spill.  Using forceps, the contaminated towels can be gathered and placed in a radioactive waste disposal bag. The spill area, hands, shoes, and other PPE should be monitored for contamination with a Geiger counter. The clean-up is repeated until the contamination is no longer detectable. Keep in mind that extra caution needs to be exercised to prevent the spreading of the radiation beyond the spill area during the clean-up.

11. Volatile Toxic Compounds

The use of spill pillows or similar absorbent material is usually the preferred method for cleaning up volatile chemicals as they do not have dust associated with cat litter or vermiculite. Place all used absorbent materials in heavy-duty poly bags, which are sealed and labelled.

12. Disposal

The neutralized spill residue or the absorbent should be scooped or swept and placed into a plastic bucket or another container. The residues from dry powders or liquids which have been absorbed should be double-bagged. Following cleaning up the chemical spill, the residues/wastes should be placed in the appropriate hazardous waste bin.  All clean-up materials must be separate from normal trash.  Descriptive labels outlining the type of waste should be placed on each container.

13. Decontamination

For most chemical spills, conventional cleaning products will be able to provide adequate decontamination. Specialized laboratory detergents are available that provide a higher level of decontamination and cleaning.  Besides ventilation of the area where the spill occurred may be necessary.

14. Documentation 

After the chemical spill has been cleaned up and the area decontaminated, incident documentation should be completed.  All personnel involved in the spill and clean-up should be debriefed, lessons learned identified, and procedures reviewed and improved.