A list of chemicals used in biochemistry lab, the hazards they can cause and the precautions we need to take while handling them.

1. LIST OF CHEMICALS
Hazards & Precautions
Sr.
No.
Name of Chemical Hazards Precautions
1 Aluminum potassium
Sulphate
Harmful if swallowed
Skin and Eye irritation.
Avoid contact with eye and skin.
Avoid ingestion and inhalation.
2 Arsenic Pentaoxide Acute toxicity
Aspiration Hazard
Environmental Hazard
Avoid exposure.
Provide appropriate ventilation.
Store in cool place
3 Albumin (Egg) Acute toxicity Adequate ventilation
Personal protective measures
4 Alpha Naphthol Respiratory tract
irritant.
Skin and Eye irritation.
May cause blood
abnormalities.
Remove contaminated clothing
and wash before reuse.
Adequate ventilation
5 Ammonium Molybdate Acute toxicity – oral,
dermal, inhalational.
Harmful if swallowed
Wear gloves, eye wear, face
protection.
Well ventilation.
6 Ammonium Oxalate Acute toxicity Wear protective gloves, clothing,
and eye protection.
7 Ammonium Sulphate Hazardous to the
aquatic environment
Avoid release to the environment.
Proper disposal.
8 Arginine May cause eye, skin
irritation.
Wear personal protective
equipment.
Ensure adequate ventilation.
9 Alumimium Sulphat Serious eye damage Protective equipment.
Adequate ventilation.
10 Barium Chloride Eye, skin and
respiratory irritant.
May cause Kidney,
heart and lung damage.
Wash thoroughly after handling.
Minimize dust generation and
accumulation.
11 Barium Hydroxide Acute toxicity – oral
and inhalational.
Skin corrosion.
Wash thoroughly after handling.
Use only in outdoors or adequate
ventilation
12 Barium Nitrate Strong oxidizer. Avoid contact with combustible

2. Flammable.
Central nervous system
effects.
materials.
Minimize dust generation and
accumulation.
Keep container tightly closed.
13 Bromocresolgreen None identified. Wear personal protective
equipment.
Adequate ventilation.
Avoid ingestion and inhalation.
14 Benzidine Harmful if swallowed.
Very toxic to aquatic
life.
Wear personal protective
equipment.
15 Bile Salts Skin corrosion
Respiratory or skin
sensitization.
Appropriate exhaust
16 Citric Acid Eye and lungs irritant
Skin contact can
produce inflammation
and blistering
Keep away from heat. Keep away
from sources of ignition.
17 Calcium Chloride Harmful if swallowed.
Hygroscopic (absorbs
moisture from air).
Wash thoroughly after handling.
Use with adequate ventilation
18 Casein Powder Slightly hazardous in
case of skin contact
Kept in dry, cool, and shaded
place with original packaging,
avoid moisture, store at room
temperature.
19 ChorophenolRed Eye, skin irritant Wear personal protective
equipment.
20 Cholesterol Powder Slightly hazardous
incase of ingestion
Keep away from heat. Keep away
from sources of ignition.
21 CopperSulphate Toxic if swallowed.
Causes skin irritation
Wash hands thoroughly after
handling. Avoid release to the
environment.
22 Creatinine Skin CorrosionCauses
serious eye damage.
Wear protective gloves/protective
clothing/eye protection/face
protection
23 Cupric Acetate Causes severe skin
burns and eye damage.
May cause respiratory
irritation.
Wash contaminated skin
thoroughly after handling

3. 24 Cysteine (L-Cysteine) Cause eye skin
irritation
Keep away from heat. Keep away
from sources of ignition
25 Cystine Non hazardous Wear personal protective
equipment
26 Dextrin Non hazardous Store at ambient temperature
27 Diactylemonoxime Non hazardous Wear personal protective
equipment
28 Dimethylbenzaldehyde Eye and skin irritation. Wash thoroughly after handling.
Remove contaminated clothing
and wash before reuse
29 Di Sodium hydrogen
Phosphate
May cause eye and skin
irritation
Appropriate exhaust ventilation at
places where dust is formed.
30 Ferric Chloride Toxic by ingestion.
May cause irritation to
the mouth and stomach
Store in a tightly closed container.
Do not store in metal containers
31 Fructose Non hazardous Store in a tightly closed container.
Do not store in metal containers
32 Galactose Non hazardous Store in a tightly closed container.
Do not store in metal containers
Sr.
No.
Name of Chemical Hazards Precautions
33 Gelatin Powder Slightly hazardous in
case of skin contact
(irritant)
Keep away from heat. Keep away
from sources of ignition. Do not
breathe dust
34 Glucose Non hazardous Avoid breathing
dust/fume/gas/mist/spray. Avoid
prolonged or repeated exposure.
35 Iodine Toxic in contact with
skin Causes severe
skin burns and eye
damage May cause an
allergic skin reaction
Do not breathe dust, Wash
exposed skin thoroughly after
handling Use only outdoors or in
a well-ventilated area
36 Lactose Non hazardous Wash hand thoroughly after
handling
37 Lead Acetate May cause damage to
organs (kidneys, liver,
blood, brain)
Do not handle until all safety
precautions have been read -
Avoid release to the environment
38 Lithium Carbonate May be harmful if
swallowed. May cause
Wash thoroughly after handling

4. kidney damage.
39 Magnesium Chloride May cause eye
irritation. Hygroscopic
(absorbs moisture from
air).
Wash thoroughly after handling.
Use with adequate ventilation
40 Maltose Non hazardous Store in a cool, dry, well-
ventilated area.
41 Mercuric Chloride Harmful if inhaled.
May cause allergic skin
reaction
Do not ingest or inhale. Store
protected from light
42 Mercuric Sulfate Fatal if swallowed, in
contact with skin or if
inhaled
Wear respiratory protection.
Avoid dust formation.
43 Methyl Blue Flammable liquid and
vapour
Keep away from heat, hot
surfaces, sparks, open flames and
other ignition sources
44 Methyl Orange May cause mild eye
irritation
Wash thoroughly after handling.
Avoid breathing dust, vapor, mist,
or gas.
45 Methyl Red Causes serious eye
irritation.
Wear eye protection/ face
protection.
46 Methionine (L-
Methionine)
Non hazardous Avoid dust formation. Avoid
breathing vapours, mist or gas.
47 Mannose Non hazardous Avoid dust formation. Avoid
breathing vapours, mist or gas.
48 Ninhydrin Eye and skin irritation. Wear eye protection/ face
protection.
49 Orcine Non hazardous Wear eye protection/ face
protection.
50 Palmitic Acid Material may be
irritating to the mucous
membranes and upper
respiratory tract
Wash thoroughly after handling.
Avoid breathing dust, vapor, mist,
or gas
51 Phosphotungstic Acid Skin
Corrosion/irritation
Do not breathe
dust/fume/gas/mist/vapors
52 Picric acid Toxic if swallowed
Toxic in contact with
skin Toxic if inhaled
Wash face, hands and any
exposed skin thoroughly after
handling Do not eat, drink or
smoke when using this product

5. 53 Peptone None identified. Personal protetion
Avoid direct contact
Avoid ingestion and inhalation
54 Phenolphthalein Suspected of causing
cancer
Obtain special instructions before
use.
Do not handle until all safety
precautions have been read and
understood
55 Phenyl Hydrazine
Hydrochloride
Toxic by inhalation, in
contact with skin and if
swallowed
Do not breathe dust, vapor, mist,
or gas. Do not get in eyes, on skin
, or on clothing.
56 Phenol red Skin Corrosion Wash face, hands and any
exposed skin thoroughly after
handling
57 Potassium hydroxide May be corrosive to
metals. Harmful if
swallowed.
Keep only in original container.
Do not breathe
dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray
58 Phloroglucinol Causes skin irritation.
May cause an allergic
skin reaction.
Avoid breathing
dust/fume/gas/mist/vapors/spray
59 Potassium Citrate Non hazardous Use personal protective
equipment. Ensure adequate
ventilation
60 Potassium iodide Hazardous to the
aquatic environment
Wear Protective equipment
61 Potassium Oxalate Harmful if swallowed
Harmful in contact
Wash face, hands and any
exposed skin thoroughly after
handling
62 Potassium thiocyanate Harmful if swallowed
Causes skin irritation
Wash exposed skin thoroughly
after handling. Do not eat, drink
or smoke when using this product
63 Potassium Hydrogen
Sulphate
Causes severe skin
burns and eye damage
Use only outdoors or in a well-
ventilated area
64 Potassium Ferrocyanide Causes skin irritation Wear Protective equipment
65 Potassium
Permanganate
May intensify fire
Harmful if swallowed
Keep away from heat/sparks/open
flames/hot surfaces. – No
smoking.
66 Resoreinol Causes severe skin
burns and eye damage
Wash thoroughly after handling

6. 67 Silver Nitrate Causes severe skin
burns and eye damage
Causes severe skin burns and eye
damage
68 Sodium Acetate Combustible Minimize dust generation.
Chemical hygiene plan
69 Sodium Tetra Borate Health Hazard
Reproductive toxicity
Minimize dust formation
Wssh hands after handling.
Chemical hygiene plan.
Sr.
No.
Name of Chemical Hazards Precautions
70 Sodium Carbonate Serious eye irritation Chemical hygiene plan.
Proper ventilation.
Avoid contact with eyes, skin and
clothing.
71 Sodium Chloride Safe Prevent formation of aerosols.
Proper chemical handling.
72 Sodium Hydroxide
Pellets
Corrosive to metals.
Cause skin burn.
Eye damage.
Respiratory irritation.
Wear personal protection.
Avoid dust formation.
Avoid accidental exposure.
73 Sodium Nitrate Oxidizing
Eye irritant
Protective eye wear.
Minimize dust generation and
accumulation.
Follow Chemical hygiene plan.
74 Sodium Nitrite Oxidizing
Acute Toxicity
Eye Irritant
Avoid dust generation.
Remove heat and all sources of
ignition.
Avoid contact with skin, eye and
clothing.
75 Sodium Nitroprusside Toxic if swallowed,
inhaled or absorbed
through skin.
Contact with acids
liberates Hydrogen
cyanide.
Use only in Chemical fume hood.
Use proper personal protective
equipment.
Wear a self contained breathing
apparatus.
76 Sodium Oxalate Harmful if swallowed
Harmful to skin
Causes eye irritation.
Personal protective equipment.
Ensure proper ventilation.
Avoid ingestion and inhalation.

7. 77 Sodium Potassium
Tartrate
None identified. Personal protective equipment.
Ensure proper ventilation.
Avoid direct contact.
78 Sodium Sulphate None identified. Ensure proper ventilation.
Avoid dust formation.
Avoid direct contact.
79
Sulfosalicylic Acid Harmful if swallowed
Severe skin burns.
Eye damage.
Do not breath dust.
Avoid ingestion, and contact with
skin, eye and clothes.
Use Chemical fume hood.
80 Sulfanilic Acid Skin and eye irritation.
Allergic skin reaction.
Protective wear.
Ventilation.
Avoid contact with eye, skin and
clothing.
Avoid ingestion and inhalation.
81 Sodium Tungstate Harmful if swallowed Protective wear.
Ventilation.
Avoid contact with eye, skin and
clothing.
82 Starch May form combustible
dust concentration in
air (during processing)
Minimize dust formation and
accumulation.
Wash hands after handling.
Follow good hygiene procedures.
83 Sucrose May form combustible
dust concentration in
air (during processing)
Minimize dust formation and
accumulation.
Follow good hygiene procedures.
Proper ventilation.
Avoid contact with eye, skin and
clothing.
84 Sulphur Powder May form combustible
dust.
Skin, eye and
respiratory irritant.
Keep away from open flames.
Adequate ventilation.
Wear protective equipment.
Wash hands immediately after
use.
85 Sodium Dihygrogen
Phosphate
None identified. Adequate ventilation.
Wear protective equipment.
Proper disposal.
86 Sodium Hydrogen Serious eye damage Adequate ventilation.

8. Sulphate and irritation Avoid ingestion and inhalation.
Wear protective equipment.
87 Thiourea Harmful if swallowed.
Causes respiratory tract
irritation.
May cause allergic skin
reaction.
Wash thoroughly after handling.
Avoid breathing dust.
Avoid contact with eyes, skin,
and clothing.
88 Tryptophan None identified. Proper personal protective.
Adequate ventilation.
Avoid dust formation.
89 Tyrosine Acute toxicity - Oral,
Dermal, inhalational.
Proper personal protective.
Adequate ventilation.
Avoid contact with dermis and
eye
90 Trichloroacetic acid Causes skin burn.
Eye damage.
Respiratory irritant.
Carcinogenic.
Use only under Chemical fume
hood.
Wear personal protection.
Do not inhale
Do not ingest.
91 Tungstic Acid Harmful if swallowed Proper personal protective.
Adequate ventilation.
Avoid dust formation.
92 Trizma Base Salt None Identified Provide appropriate exhaust.
Store under inert gas.
93 Triplex (EDTA) None Identified Proper waste disposal.
Protective wear.
94 Uric Acid None Identified Do not ingest or inhale
Avoid contact with eye, skin and
clothing.
Wash thoroughly after handling.
95 Urea Crystalline None Identified Personal protective equipment
Avoid ingestion and inhalation
Protect from moisture.
96 Urease Tablets Irritant.
Environmentally
Damaging.
Good hygiene procedures
Avoid contact with eyes, skin and
clothing.
97 Zinc Sulphate Corrosive.
Oral, Dermal,
inhalational irritant
Prevent formation of aerosols.
Follow Chemical hygiene plan.
Well ventilation.

9. Environmentally
Damaging.
Sr.
No.
Name of Liquid
Chemical
Hazards
1 Acetic Acid Flammable
Corrosive- eye and skin
Toxic
D
2 Acetone Flammable
Serious eye damage
May cause drowsiness or dizziness
Ta
3 Ammonia Corrosive
Enviromentally damaging
Irritant
4 Chloroform Health hazard
Toxic and Irritant - oral, dermal, inhalational
Av
5 CoconutOil None classified.
6 Ether Health Hazard
Extremely flammable
Irritant - eye
7 Ethanol Highly Flammable
Serious eye irritation.
Repeated exposure causes organ damage.
8 Formalin Combustible
Allergic skin reaction
Carcinogenic
Serious eye damage
9 Glycerol Safe
10 H2SO4 Health hazard - skin and eye Av

10. 11 HCL Corrosive
Toxic to Skin, eye and lungs
12 HNO3 Oxidizing
Corrosive - skin, eye
13 H2O2 Oxidizing
Corrosive
Irritant
Avoid cont
14 Methanol Flammable
Toxic - oral, dermal, inhalational
Health Hazard Tak
15 Spirit Hazardous to Aquatic life
Aspiration hazard
Flammable
Skin corrosion/irritant