Chemical Segregation and Storage Table

Chemical Segregation

Class of Chemicals

Common Chemical

Examples

Additional Concerns and

Storage Recommendations

Common Incompatible

Chemical Types

Possible Reaction if

Mixed/Health Concerns

Corrosive Acids-Organic

Acetic Acid

Glacial Acetic Acid

Butyric Acid

Trifluoroacetic Acid

Picric Acid

Propionic Acid

Formic Acid

Store in ventilated corrosives

cabinet on protected shelving

using secondary containment,

keep away from water sources

*Do not store under the sink

*Do not store acids on metal

shelving

Flammable Liquids

Flammable Solids

Bases

Oxidizers

Inorganic Acids

Cyanides

Sulfides

Poisons/Toxins

Heat

Gas Generation

Violent Reaction

* DO NOT POUR WATER

INTO ACID

Corrosive Acids-Inorganic

Nitric Acid

Sulfuric Acid

Perchloric Acid

Phosphoric Acid

Hydrochloric Acid

Chromic Acid

Hydrofluoric Acid

Store concentrated Nitric acid

(≥68%) and Sulfuric acid (≥93%)

in a secondary container

Store in a corrosive cabinet

labeled “Acid” or on shelving

using a secondary containment

*Do not store under the sink

*Do not store acids on metal

Flammable Liquids

Flammable Solids

Bases

Oxidizers

Organic Acids

Cyanides

Sulphides

Poisons/Toxins

Heat

Gas Generation

Violent Reaction

*DO NOT POUR WATER INTO

ACID

*Perchloric acid vapor can

form explosive compounds

within fume hood ducts

shelving

*Hydrofluoric acid should be stored

in an area accessible only by

authorized personnel; do not store

in glass; use plastic containers

and secondary containment

*Hydrofluoric acid can result

in severe burns to skin and

lungs

Corrosive Bases-

Hydroxylamine

Store in separate cabinet,

Acids

Heat

Organic/Caustic

Tetramethylethylamine

preferably with ventilation,

Oxidizers

Gas Generation

Diamine

corrosive cabinet or storage area

Flammable Liquids

Violent Reaction

Triethylamine

with a spill tray, away from potential

Flammable Solids

water sources (DO NOT store under

Inorganic Bases

the sink)

Poisons/Toxins

Ammonium Hydroxide

Store in separate cabinet,

Acids

Heat

Potassium Hydroxide

preferably with ventilation,

Oxidizers

Gas Generation

Sodium Hydroxide

corrosive cabinet or storage area

Flammable Liquids

Violent Reaction

Calcium Hydroxide

with a spill tray, away from

potential water sources (DO NOT

store under the sink); Store

solutions of inorganic hydroxides

in labeled polyethylene containers

Flammable Solids

Organic Bases

Poisons/Toxins

Corrosive Bases-

Inorganic/Caustics

Chemical Segregation

Common Chemical Additional Concerns and Common Incompatible Possible Reaction if

Examples Storage Recommendations Chemicals Types Mixed/Health Concerns

Class of Chemicals

Flammable Liquids

Ethanol, Ethyl Acetate,

Methanol, Acetone,

Benzene, Xylene,

Toluene

Diethyl Ether

Tetrahydrofuran

Acetonitrile

Glacial Acetic Acid

Acetone liquids with

flashpoints < 100 F

Flammable storage cabinet or

refrigerator rated for flammable/

hazardous storage/explosion proof

*Peroxide-forming chemicals

must be dated upon delivery

and opening (two dates)

Oxidizers

Acids

Bases

Reactives

Poisons/Toxins

Fire Hazard

Heat

Violet Reaction

Poisons/Toxins

Chloroform

Cyanides

Heavy metal compounds

(e.g. Cadmium, Mercury,

Osmium, Oxalic Acid,

Phenol, Formic Acid),

Formamide,

Store in a dark, dry, ventilated,

cool area in an unbreakable

chemically resistant secondary

container (polyethylene)

* Store volatile toxins with

evaporation rate above

1.0 - (ether =1.0) in flammable

cabinet;

Flammable liquids

Acids

Bases

Reactives

Oxidizers

Corrosives

Please consult Division of

Environmental Protection

Generation of Toxic and

Flammable Gas

Combustion

Heat

Fire Hazard

Explosion Hazard

Violent Reaction Chloroform

explosively reacts with

Carbon Tetracholride, 2-

Mercaptoethanol Phenol,

*Hydrofluoric Acid -

Hydrofluoric Acid is a

highly acute poison

Acrylamide

Ethidium Bromide

Sodium Azide

Store non-volatile liquid poisons in

a refrigerator or cabinet; amounts

less than 1 liter can be stored in a

cabinet above bench level, ONLY if

the cabinet has sliding doors (not

swinging)

(DEP) for assistance

*Hydrofluoric Acid should

be stored in an area

accessible only by

authorized personnel; do

not store in glass; use

plastic containers and

secondary containment

chemically-reactive metals

(e.g., Aluminum or

Magnesium powder, Sodium,

and Lithium), Strong

Oxidizers, Strong Caustics

(e.g., Alkalis), and

decomposes in sunlight

Keep in a dry, cool area away

Acids

Fire Hazard

Flammable Solids

Charcoal

from oxidizers and corrosives

Bases

Carbon

Violent Reaction

Oxidizers

Paraformaldehyde

Poisons/Toxins

Phosphorus

Magnesium

Explosives

Picric Acid

Store in a secure location away Please consult the SDS

Explosion Hazard

Ammonium Nitrate

from other chemicals; store in an and the DEP

Violent Reaction

Nitro Urea

area away from friction or shock

Heat

Trinitroaniline Shock

Benzoyl Peroxide Friction

Trinitrobenzene

Trinitrobenzoic Acid

Trinitrotoluene

Urea Nitrate

Trinitrophenol

Diazoisbutylnitrile

Class of Chemicals

Common Chemical

Examples

Additional Concerns and

Storage Recommendations

Common Incompatible

Chemicals Types

Possible Reaction if

Mixed/Health Concerns

Chemical Segregation

Peroxide Formers

Acrylonitrile

Isopropyl Alcohol Ethers

(e.g. Diethyl ether,

Isopropyl Ether), Acetals

and Ketals, especially

Cyclic Ethers and those

with primary and/or

secondary Alkyl groups

Aldehydes

(e.g. Acetaldehyde,

Benzaldehyde)

Vinyl and Vinylidene

compounds,

Dienes Tetrahydrofuran

Dioxane

Butylated Hydroxytoluene

(BHT)

Isopropyl Ether

Store in airtight bottles, away from

light and heat in a dark, cool dry

area; avoid using containers with

loose-fitting lids and ground glass

stoppers; crystallization, discoloration,

and formation or deposition of layers

are signs a peroxide former may

have become shock sensitive; do

not use or move such containers:

contact DEP; all bottles of peroxide-

forming chemicals must have the

received date marked on the

container; when the bottle is first

opened, the container must be

marked with the date opened

Always consult the Safety

Data Sheet (SDS) and the

Division of Environmental

Protection (DEP)

Explosion Hazard

Violent Reaction

Shock Sensitive

Combustion

(Exothermic Reaction)

If an old or expired container

of a peroxide-forming chemical

or reactive is found, do not

move it. Contact the DEP at

301-496-4710 for assistance

in disposing of the container

Water Reactive

Sodium Metals

Lithium Metals

Potassium Metals

Sodium Borohydride

Alkali Metal Hydrides

Store in a dry, cool area away from

potential spray from fire sprinklers

and other water sources (DO NOT

store under the sink)

Label this area for water-reactive

storage

Aqueous solutions

Oxidizers

Please consult the Safety

Data Sheet (SDS) and the

Division of Environmental

Protection (DEP)

Heat

Violent Reaction

Oxidizers

Peroxides, Nitrates,

Perchlorates

Permanganates

Sodium Hypochlorite

Ethyl Acetate, Iodine,

Benzoyl Peroxide

Potassium Dichromate

Chlorates, Bromates,

and Superoxides,

Ammonium Persulfate,

Ferric chloride

Store in secondary containment

Combustibles Fire Hazard

separately from combustibles and

Flammables Gas Generation

flammable materials

Organic Materials Toxic Gas

Reducing Agents

Class of Chemicals

Chemical Segregation

Common Chemical Additional Concerns and Common Incompatible Possible Reaction if

Examples Storage Recommendations Chemicals Types Mixed/Health Concerns

Flammable Compressed

Methane

Handle flammable compressed gases

Acetylene

in a chemical fume hood

Gases

Oxidizers Fire Hazard Explosion

Toxic Compressed Gases Hazard

Butane

Store in well-ventilated areas; store

Propane

away from oxidizers, open flames,

Hydrogen

sparks, and other sources of heat

Silane

ignition; post NO SMOKING signs

Ethane

around storage area(s) or entrance(s)

Arsine

to storage room(s); flammable gases

Germane

stored outdoors where ambient

temperatures exceed 125 deg F

(51.7 deg C) shall be protected

from direct sunlight

Use a spark proof wrench to attach

regulators and make other connections;

install a flame/flash arrestor at the

regulator outlet flow valve

Oxygen

Store oxidizers separately from

Chlorine

Oxidizing Compressed

flammable gas containers or

Gases

Fluorine

combustible materials; minimum

Nitrogen oxides

separation requirement from these

Gas mixtures containing

materials is 20 ft or a 5 ft noncom-

Oxygen higher than

bustible barrier with a fire resistance

atmospheric

rating of at least 30 minutes

concentrations

Clean equipment used for oxygen

and nitrous oxide with oxygen-

compatible materials free from oils,

greases, and other contaminants

Fluorine shall be handled in specially

passivated containers and associated

equipment

Flammable Compressed Gases Fire Hazard

Toxic Compressed Gases Explosion Hazard

Carbon Monoxide

Hydrogen Chloride

Toxic Compressed

Gases

Hydrogen Sulfide

Nitrogen Dioxide

Handle toxic compressed gases in

Flammable Compressed Gases Release of Toxic Gas

a chemical fume hood

Oxidizing Compressed Gases Hydrogen Sulfide is a colorless,

Indoor storage or use of toxic

compressed gases shall be provided

with a gas cabinet, exhausted

enclosure, or gas room

flammable, extremely hazardous

gas with a “rotten egg” smell;

Prolonged exposure may cause

nausea, tearing of the eyes,

headaches or loss of sleep,

Refer to the SDS information for

additional guidance on the storage

and compatibility requirements

airway problems (bronchial

constriction) in some asthma

patients; possible fatigue, loss

of appetite, headache,

Contact DOHS to determine if a fail-

safe valve and/or continuous

monitoring for toxic gas may be

irritability, poor memory,

dizziness and slight

conjunctivitis

required during use

Chemical Segregation

Carcinogens

Benzidine

Beta-Naphthylamine

Benzene

Methylene Chloride

Beta-Propiolactone

Carbon Tetrachloride

Label all containers as "Cancer

Suspect Agents" or the equivalent.

Store according to the hazardous

nature of the chemical, using

appropriate security when necessary

Please consult the specific

SDS and DEP

Please consult the specific

SDS and DEP

Teratogens

Lead Compounds

Mercury Compounds

Benzene

Aniline

Label all containers as "Suspect

Reproductive Hazard" or

“Reproductive Effecter”

Store according to the hazardous

nature of the chemical, using

appropriate security when necessary

Aniline incompatible with

Nitric Acid and hHdrogen

Peroxide

Please consult the specific

SDS and DEP

Please consult the specific

SDS and DEP

General Stock Chemicals

Sodium Bicarbonate

Sodium Chloride

Agar

Salt buffer

Most non-reactive salts

Store on shelves, or laboratory

benches or shelving preferably

behind glass doors and below eye

level with like chemicals

Please consult the

SDS and DEP

Please consult the specific

SDS and DEP

Class of Chemicals

Common Chemical Additional Concerns and Common Incompatible Possible Reaction if

Examples Storage Recommendations Chemicals Types Mixed/Health Concerns

Acetyl Chloride Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated

Please consult the specific Please consult the specific

Strong Reducing Agents

Thionyl Chloride location

SDS and DEP SDS and DEP

Maleic Anhydride Water reactive

Ferrous Sulfide Segregate from all other chemicals

Adapted from Prudent Practices in the Laboratory: Handling and Disposal of Chemicals, National Research Council, 1995, University of Texas/Health

Science at Houston and Boston University Environmental Health & Safety.