Particularly Hazardous Substances
Chemicals designated as Particularly Hazardous Substances (PHS) are dangerous chemicals that are known to have immediate or long term toxic health effects, as defined in the OSHA Laboratory Standard.
The OSHA Laboratory Standard defines Particularly Hazardous Substances as chemicals with any of the following characteristics:
To meet OSHA legal requirements, please address the following items:
- Develop instructions or a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the use of these substances in your lab to ensure healthy and safe use. The SOP must be reviewed by your EHS Coordinator and the EHS Office.
- Areas where these substances are used must be designated with a sign.
The EHS Office has reviewed 160 chemicals commonly in use at MIT and determined whether or not they are Particularly Hazardous Substances.
It should be understood that all of the 160 chemicals on this list are hazardous in some way, yet this list is not all-inclusive. If a chemical you use is not on this list, it does not mean that it is not a Particularly Hazardous Substance. You must make an informed determination. A complete description of how to determine whether a chemical is a Particularly Hazardous Substance is in the Chemical Hygiene Plan Template (Part II Section 10). If you are unsure, please contact EHS Office at (617) 452-3477 or email environment@mit.edu.
Highly Toxic Chemicals
Certain Highly Toxic Chemicals at MIT require special procedures for procurement and storage in the lab. These chemicals include:
- Arsenic trioxide
- Chlorine
- Hydrogen cyanide
- Nitrous oxide
- Phosgene
- Potassium cyanide (analytical reagent and purified)
- Sodium arsenate (analytical reagent)
- Sodium cyanide (analytical reagent)
Contact your EHS Coordinator prior to ordering and using these chemicals.
Purchasing
When purchasing these chemicals for use in the lab, a requisition approval form provided on the Procurement website must be signed by a member of the Institute community with one of the following titles:
- Department Head
- Laboratory Director
- Professor
- M.D.
- Pharmacist
On the requisition approval form, the lab Principal Investigator can also designate additional lab members authorized to purchase these Highly Toxic Chemicals. This form should be submitted by the PI when materials are first being ordered online, then referenced in the comments section on any subsequent purchase orders for the chemicals. For additional information or questions, please contact Procurement.
Storage
Secure Highly Toxic Chemicals in laboratories or storerooms that are kept locked at all times when laboratory personnel are not present. Additional precautions are required for securing these chemicals, such as keeping the materials under a second layer of security. Examples include a locked; storage or gas cabinet, drawer, storeroom. Contact environment@mit.edu with your chemical security questions.
Finally, access to all hazardous chemicals, including toxic and corrosive substances, should be restricted at all times.
Please refer to your department, lab or center’s Chemical Hygiene Plan for more details on this and other chemicals that may require DLC-specific prior approvals.
Particularly Hazardous Substances
Chemicals designated as Particularly Hazardous Substances (PHS) are dangerous chemicals that are known to have immediate or long term toxic health effects, as defined in the OSHA Laboratory Standard.
The OSHA Laboratory Standard defines Particularly Hazardous Substances as chemicals with any of the following characteristics:
To meet OSHA legal requirements, please address the following items:
- Develop instructions or a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the use of these substances in your lab to ensure healthy and safe use. The SOP must be reviewed by your EHS Coordinator and the EHS Office.
- Areas where these substances are used must be designated with a sign.
The EHS Office has reviewed 160 chemicals commonly in use at MIT and determined whether or not they are Particularly Hazardous Substances.
It should be understood that all of the 160 chemicals on this list are hazardous in some way, yet this list is not all-inclusive. If a chemical you use is not on this list, it does not mean that it is not a Particularly Hazardous Substance. You must make an informed determination. A complete description of how to determine whether a chemical is a Particularly Hazardous Substance is in the Chemical Hygiene Plan Template (Part II Section 10). If you are unsure, please contact EHS Office at (617) 452-3477 or email environment@mit.edu.
Highly Toxic Chemicals
Certain Highly Toxic Chemicals at MIT require special procedures for procurement and storage in the lab. These chemicals include:
- Arsenic trioxide
- Chlorine
- Hydrogen cyanide
- Nitrous oxide
- Phosgene
- Potassium cyanide (analytical reagent and purified)
- Sodium arsenate (analytical reagent)
- Sodium cyanide (analytical reagent)
Contact your EHS Coordinator prior to ordering and using these chemicals.
Purchasing
When purchasing these chemicals for use in the lab, a requisition approval form provided on the Procurement website must be signed by a member of the Institute community with one of the following titles:
- Department Head
- Laboratory Director
- Professor
- M.D.
- Pharmacist
On the requisition approval form, the lab Principal Investigator can also designate additional lab members authorized to purchase these Highly Toxic Chemicals. This form should be submitted by the PI when materials are first being ordered online, then referenced in the comments section on any subsequent purchase orders for the chemicals. For additional information or questions, please contact Procurement.
Storage
Secure Highly Toxic Chemicals in laboratories or storerooms that are kept locked at all times when laboratory personnel are not present. Additional precautions are required for securing these chemicals, such as keeping the materials under a second layer of security. Examples include a locked; storage or gas cabinet, drawer, storeroom. Contact environment@mit.edu with your chemical security questions.
Finally, access to all hazardous chemicals, including toxic and corrosive substances, should be restricted at all times.
Please refer to your department, lab or center’s Chemical Hygiene Plan for more details on this and other chemicals that may require DLC-specific prior approvals.
