Hazardous chemicals

Before the first time a Particularly Hazardous Substance (PHS) is used in your lab space, certain safety documentation and review requirements must be met.

Known substances

The following list is a maintained version of most well-known particularly hazardous substances (PHSs) at ASU:

EHS Particularly Hazardous Substances

In addition, the Fulton Schools of Engineering also has separate working policies for the following chemicals.

Pyrophorics (GHS codes H232 & H250)

  • NaH
  • NaBH4
  • LiAlH4
  • organo-lithium reagents (butyllithium, tert-butyllithium, and phenyllithium)
  • Grignard reagents (R-Mg-Cl & R-Mg-Br)

Potentially fatal by skin contact (GHS code H310):

  • hydrofluoric acid
  • ammonium fluoride
  • ammonium bifluoride
  • sodium bifluoride
  • potassium bifluoride
  • sodium cyanide
  • tetramethylammonium hydroxide
  • sodium azide

Process review

Flow chart depicting the first step of the chemical approval process: checking the lab's documentation. Documents that must be checked for currency are the RPI form and chemical inventory (annual registration), SDSs (and SOPs where needed) for chemicals present, and a list of lab personnel and personnel safety training records.

Any process that uses a PHS or a toxic or flammable gas must follow the Chemical Approval Process before the process can be started and before equipment can be started up.

If a process has received approval before, and a change is made to the process, apparatus, or materials / concentration of materials, then the changes must be reviewed and approved before the process change can be implemented.

How to Receive Approval for a New Chemical, New Process, or for Changes to an Approved Process

Chemical/Process Review for Lab Managers