Safety/PTU
From Kimmel Lab Wiki
From: "Patricia Edwards" <UONEURO/EDWARDS> Organization: Institute of Neuroscience To: "Zebrafish Publications Coordinator" <edwards> Date: Tue, 24 Nov 1998 11:36:07 -0800 Subject: (Fwd) PTU Dangerous -- Please forward to local zebrafishers Reply-to: edwards@uoneuro.uoregon.edu
Forwarded Message Follows -------
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1998 13:47:04 -0800 To: edwards From: Charles Kimmel <kimmel@uoneuro.uoregon.edu> Subject: PTU Dangerous
On Thursday, Nov. 19, there was an accidental spill of 0.003% PTU (1-phenyl 2-thiourea) in the Kimmel lab small warm room. This solution is often used to block pigment production in zebrafish embryos. In the process of clean-up and decontamination, we learned that PTU is actually quite dangerous, and we wanted to share with the rest of the Oregon zebrafish community its potential dangers and health hazards, as well as inform you of our new policy for use of PTU solutions in the Kimmel lab.
PTU in its crystalline form is extremely toxic and may be fatal if swallowed. It is very toxic by inhalation or in contact with skin. It should be handled while wearing suitable protective clothing, including gloves and eye and face protection. It should be weighed out in a fume hood. If it does contact your skin, you should wash with plenty of soapsuds, and if you feel unwell, you should seek medical advice immediately. PTU can affect liver, kidney, and thyroid function, as well as affect the blood-forming organs.
Although, we use PTU at a very dilute concentration, it can be readily absorbed through the skin due to its molecular structure. Therefore, we would like to implement the following policy for use of PTU solutions in the Kimmel lab small warm room.
(1) Because PTU is harmful if inhaled (it has a distinct sulfur-ish smell), we ask that all dishes and containers of PTU are kept covered. Ventilation is poor in the small warm room and it could be dangerous if fumes accumulate.
(2) Because PTU is harmful if absorbed through the skin, we ask that any dishes containing PTU are clearly labeled. These dishes should not be stacked directly on a work surface, but should be placed in a leak-proof container, so that if PTU solution is spilled, it will be contained in a small area. Also, please wipe your work area and your microscope down with a soapy sponge after using PTU solution, even if you think you didn't spill any. Many people use the warm room without protective clothing, and we must keep the area a non-toxic area.
(3) Because EH&S has informed us that we should collect all used PTU solutions, we ask that you dispose of PTU solutions in the appropriate container in the fume hood, never in the fish waste water beakers in the small warm room. To avoid rapid accumulation of used PTU solutions, it will be helpful if you use as little PTU solution as possible to get the job done.
If any of you are interested, we were able to find MSDS information on the web. On the U of O Office of Environmental Safety Home Page (http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~oehs/envresor.html), you can access MSDS information online from either from the Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory in Oxford, United Kingdom or from the University of Utah. It might be a useful bookmark to have on your lab computer!
We really appreciate your cooperation.
Charles B. Kimmel Institute of Neuroscience 1254 University of Oregon Eugene OR 97403-1254 USA tel: 541-346-4519 fax: 541-346-4548
