Chemical Segregation in UMSL Laboratories
Rules of Thumb for Commonly Encountered Chemical Segregation in UMSL Laboratories
No segregation system can cover all contingencies. Knowledge of the chemicals in your lab and reading the MSDS's are essential to assuring compatible storage. The list below is a very simplified set of storage groupings based on rules of thumb for items found often in the laboratories. Do NOT rely solely on this chart!
Each bolded group should either be stored in its own physical location OR stored in deep, larger containment tubs for each grouping, that are compatible with the chemical.
Metal containers are discouraged as secondary containment for potentially corrosive materials. Store larger, heavier items in lower locations.
| Keep away from Metals Names ending in AZIDE PICRIC ACID aka TRINITROPHENOL (also keep this wet!) Bases (Caustics) Poison Gas Generating Carcinogens Flammable or Combustible |
Organic Acids & Anhydrides Acetic Acid, Formic Acid, Acetic Anhydride, etc. General Acids Oxyacids Oxidizers |