Safe Operating Procedure for the Handling of Vinylic Monomers

1. Safe Operating Procedure for the Handling of Vinylic Monomers UCLA Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry May 2009

2. Types of Vinylic Monomers Utilized in Radical Polymerizations • Acrylamides • Methacrylamides • Acrylates • Methacrylates • Vinyl Acetates • Styrene • Vinyl Ethers • Acrylonitrile • Alkenes

3. Toxicity of Vinyl Monomers Vinyl monomers are particularly hazardous: • Michael Acceptors • Highly reactive • Known carcinogens • Cause Liver and Kidney damage • Lachrymators

4. Classification of Monomers for Handling • Solid monomers • SPMA, AMPS… • Liquid monomers • PEGA, PEGMA, BA… • Volatile/Very Toxic • NIPAAm, AA, AC • ALWAYS check the MSDS and discuss the use of new monomers with safety officers or PI

5. Solid Monomers Procedure • Wear appropriate PPE • Lab coat, gloves, goggles, closed-toed shoes • Check MSDS for monomer • Calculate amount needed based on other reagents • Carefully weigh into reaction flask or onto wax paper • If using wax paper, carefully transfer into flask • Do not create airborne “dust”/ do not inhale dust • If spilled • Immediately inform safety officer • Wear respirator • Clean balance area/brush powder into labeled waste container • Should be labeled that it contains a monomer

6. Liquid Monomer Procedure • Wear appropriate PPE • Lab coat, gloves, goggles, closed-toed shoes • Check MSDS for monomer • Calculate amount needed based on other reagents • Liquid Monomers should NEVER be weighed on an open balance, ONLY USE IN HOOD • Use density to calculate volume needed • Syringe amount into reaction flask • Rinse syringe with appropriate solvent into labeled waste container • If spilled • Immediately inform safety officer • Clean area with appropriate solvent and towels • Dispose of towels into waste container • Label waste container that it contains a monomer

7. Volatile/Toxic Monomer Procedure • Wear appropriate PPE • Lab coat, gloves, goggles, closed-toed shoes • Respirator is optional • Check MSDS for monomer • Calculate amount need based on other reagents • VOLATILE/TOXIC MONOMERS CAN ONLY BE USED IN A HOOD! • Place paper towels unfolded in hood • Tare sealed-reaction flask • Place stabilized sealed-reaction flask on paper towels • 1) Pull sash down as far as possible • 2) Use syringe/spatula to place monomer into reaction flask • 3) Seal reaction flask • 4) Remove gloves and leave in hood • 5) Put new gloves on and take flask to balance • Add/remove monomer (repeat 1-5)

8. Volatile/Toxic Monomer Procedure • When finished • Rinse/wipe down all reusable materials that came in contact with monomer with appropriate solvent • Dispose of solvents in labeled container • Place towels & gloves in appropriately labeled waste container • If spilled • If spill is in hood • Clean area with appropriate solvent and towels • Dispose of towels into waste container • Should be labeled that it contains a monomer • If small spill outside of hood • Immediately inform all lab members and leave lab • Inform safety officers • DO NOT REENTER LAB WITHOUT RESPIRATOR • Clean area with appropriate solvent and towels • Dispose of towels into waste container • Should be labeled that it contains a monomer • If large spill outside of hood • As for small spill • Do not attempt to clean spill, instead contact PI & UCLA HAZMAT