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Laboratory SpecificChemical:
Lithium hydroxide
Please fill out the form completely. Print a copy and insert into your
Laboratory Safety Manual and Chemical Hygiene Plan.
Refer to instructions for assistance.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Location(s) covered by this SOP: _ Latimer 834, 836, 837, 838, 839, 842, 844, 847, 849, 907 __
(Building/Room Number)
_____________________________________________________________________________
Purpose
Lithium hydroxide is an inorganic compound with the formula LiOH. It is a white hygroscopic
crystalline material. It is soluble in water and slightly soluble in ethanol. It is available
commercially in anhydrous form and as the monohydrate (LiOH.H2O), both of which are strong
bases. Lithium hydroxide is mainly consumed for the production of lithium greases. It is used as
a heat transfer medium and as a storage-battery electrolyte. It is also used in ceramics and some
Portland cement formulations. Lithium hydroxide (isotopically enriched in lithium-7) is used to
alkalize the reactor coolant in pressurized water reactors for corrosion control.
CAS# 1310-65-2
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Potential Hazards/Toxicity
Very hazardous in case of skin contact, eye contact, ingestion, and/or inhalation. Corrosive to
eyes and skin. The amount of tissue damage depends on length of contact. Eye contact can
result in corneal damage or blindness. Skin contact can produce inflammation and blistering.
Inhalation of dust will produce irritation to gastro-intestinal or respiratory tract, characterized by
burning, sneezing and coughing. Severe over-exposure can produce lung damage, choking,
unconsciousness or death. Inflammation of the eye is characterized by redness, watering, and
itching. Skin inflammation is characterized by itching, scaling, reddening, or, occasionally,
blistering.
Acute toxicity
Oral LD50 [mouse] 363 mg/kg
Oral LD50 [rat] 210 mg/kg
Dust LC50 [rat] 960 mg/m3 4 hours
Engineering Controls
NOTE: Specific information on engineering controls is to be added to the Protocol/Procedure
section.
Work with lithium hydroxide should be conducted in a fume hood unless other controls are
designated in the Protocol/Procedure section. Sash height should be kept low to avoid escaping
fumes and provide a physical barrier. Consider using a face shield when handling the pure
material.
Respiratory protection
.
NOTE: Lab personnel intending to use/wear a respirator mask must be trained and fit-tested by
EH&S. This is a regulatory requirement.
Hand protection
Handle with gloves. Gloves must be inspected prior to use. Use proper glove removal technique
(without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product. Dispose of
contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices.
Wash and dry hands. Type of gloves recommended for potassium hydroxide: standard nitrile. For
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handling concentrated solutions of potassium hydroxide, thicker nitrile gloves or double-gloving is
recommended.
NOTE: Lab-specific and chemical-specific information on glove selection may be included in the
Protocol/Procedure section.
Refer to glove selection from the link below:
For glove selection, go to: http://ehs.berkeley.edu/hs/63-laboratory-safety/94-glove-selection-and-
usage.html.
Eye protection
Safety glasses with side shields or tightly fitting safety goggles. Use face shield (8-inch minimum)
when appropriate. Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate
government standards such as ANSI Z87.1, NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).
Hygiene measures
Avoid contact with skin, eyes and clothing. Wash hands before breaks and immediately after
handling.
Notify supervisor and EH&S immediately. Follow up with a call to 510-642-9090 to report the
incident.
If inhaled
Remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen.
Get medical attention immediately.
If swallowed
Do not induce vomiting. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Rinse mouth
with water. Consult a physician immediately.
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Working alone
Certain extremely hazardous operations should not be performed if the PI or Lab Safety
Contact(s) are not present. Never work alone with extremely hazardous materials/operations.
See the Protocol/Procedure section below for specific prohibitions (if any) on working alone.
Spill – Help contaminated or injured persons. Evacuate the spill area. Avoid breathing vapors.
Eliminate sources of ignition if the chemical is flammable. If possible, confine the spill to a small
area using a spill kit or absorbent material. Keep others from entering contaminated area (e.g.,
use caution tape, barriers, etc.).
Small (<1 L) – If you have training, you may assist in the clean-up effort. Use appropriate
personal protective equipment and clean-up material for chemical spilled. Double bag spill waste
in clear plastic bags, label and take to the next chemical waste pick-up.
Chemical Spill on Body or Clothes – Remove clothing and rinse body thoroughly in
emergency shower for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention. Notify supervisor and EH&S
immediately.
Chemical Splash Into Eyes – Immediately rinse eyeball and inner surface of eyelid with
water for 15 minutes by using an emergency eyewash station and forcibly holding the eye open.
Seek medical attention immediately. Notify supervisor and EH&S immediately.
Life Threatening Emergency, After Hours, Weekends And Holidays – Dial 911
or go to the nearest Occupational Health Facility or emergency room if it is after hours. Note: All
serious injuries must be reported to EH&S within 8 hours at 510-642-9090
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Non-Life Threatening Emergency– Go to the Occupational Health Facility (OHF). At all
other times report to the emergency room. Note: All serious injuries must be reported to EH&S at
within 8 hours at 510-642-9090.
Label Waste
• Label all containers with the label provided at
http://ehs.berkeley.edu/hm/279-new-hazardous-waste-program-hwp.html.
See the EH&S Fact Sheet, “Hazardous Waste Management” for general
instructions on procedures for disposing of hazardous waste.
Dispose of Waste
• Dispose of regularly generated chemical waste within 6 months.
• Call EH&S for questions.
When not in use, keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place.
Store and transport THF containers in secondary containment (for example
polyethylene bottle carrier).
Know the location of the nearest fire extinguisher, eyewash, and safety shower before
beginning work.
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Lab-specific All work for this procedure is to take place in the designated fume hood.
Information Wear proper PPE.
Keep Lithium hydroxide e containers tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place
away from incompatible substances.
Procedure/Use Scale Engineering PPE (eye, face, gloves, Procedure Steps and
Controls/Equipmen clothing) Precautions
t
Using lithium Up to 100 g All work dealing with Eye protection: Wear Measure out the desired
hydroxide as a solid lithium tight-fitting safety goggles quantity of lithium
reagent in a PI approval hydroxide should be or safety glasses with side hydroxide by transferring
required for the white solid to a tarred
chemical conducted on a shields. Consider a face
larger plastic weigh boat
reaction clean benchtop in a shield when handling the positioned on a balance
amounts. chemical fume hood. pure material. using a metal spatula.
NOTE
Any deviation from this SOP requires approval from PI.
Prior to conducting any work with lithium hydroxide, designated personnel must provide
training to his/her laboratory personnel specific to the hazards involved in working with the
specific chemical(s) used, work area decontamination, and emergency procedures.
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The Principal Investigator must provide his/her laboratory personnel with a copy of this SOP
and a copy of the SDS provided by the manufacturer.
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