SOP: Carcinogens

Hazard Description

A carcinogen commonly describes any agent that can initiate or speed the development of malignant or potentially malignant tumors, malignant neoplastic proliferation of cells, or cells that possess such material. 

The OSHA Lab Standard defines a “Select Carcinogen” as any substance, which meets one of the following criteria:

(i) It is regulated by OSHA as a carcinogen; or

(ii) It is listed under the category, "known to be carcinogens," in the Annual Report on Carcinogens published by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) (latest edition); or

(iii) It is listed under Group 1 ("carcinogenic to humans") by the International Agency for Research on Cancer Monographs (IARC) (latest editions); or

(iv) It is listed in either Group 2A or 2B by IARC or under the category, "reasonably anticipated to be carcinogens" by NTP, and causes statistically significant tumor incidence in experimental animals in accordance with any of the following criteria:

• (A) After inhalation exposure of 6-7 hours per day, 5 days per week, for a significant portion of a lifetime to dosages of less than 10 mg/m(3);
• (B) After repeated skin application of less than 300 (mg/kg of body weight) per week; or
• (C) After oral dosages of less than 50 mg/kg of body weight per day.

With regard to mixtures, OSHA requires that a mixture, “shall be assumed to present a carcinogenic hazard if it contains a component in concentrations of 0.1% or greater, which is considered to be carcinogenic.”

Interpreting the SDS

Consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for each chemical to determine whether there is a human carcinogen hazard.

Carcinogenic materials labeled according to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) will have a container label and SDS that shows the "Health Hazard Pictogram"

Under GHS, carcinogens are categorized as either known/presumed carcinogens (Category 1) or suspected carcinogens (Category 2). Category 1 is subdivided further based on whether the evidence for classification is mostly from human (1A) or animal (1B) data.

The procedures in this SOP apply to all known or suspected carcinogenic chemicals used in the laboratory.

To identify the chemicals with this hazard in your ChemTracker chemical inventory, use the instructions in EHRS Tip Sheet:  Completing a Hazard List Analysis.

Approvals

If you or your lab has not worked with this hazard before and you are considering a procedure that requires you to do so, we recommend contacting EHRS for guidance.

All work that involves the handling or transfer of carcinogenic chemicals requires the approval of the P.I.  The P.I. must ensure that the person or team who will be working with the carcinogenic chemicals understands the hazards and has received adequate training and supervision for the procedure.   For any task that requires safety controls beyond those specified in this SOP, a task-specific Hazard Control Plan (HCP) must be written.  The HCP must be sent to EHRS for review.  EHRS will upload the HCP to the “documents” section of the lab’s BioRAFT page.

Training Requirements

No researcher may work independently with the hazardous material described in this SOP until the Principal Investigator (or their designee) has ensured that the researcher:

• Has completed all required EHRS laboratory safety training programs
• Understands the hazards of the materials and risks of the processes involved
• Has read and understands the contents of this SOP
• Demonstrates the ability to execute their work according to the requirements in this SOP

Facility Requirements

General Ventilation

Carcinogenic chemicals may not be handled or stored in a room or facility with recirculating exhaust.

Chemical Fume Hood

All work with carcinogenic  chemicals in open or closed systems must be done in a designated area of a laboratory inside of a properly functioning chemical fume hood.

Emergency Irrigation

Emergency irrigation (safety shower, eyewash) must be accessible within a 10-second travel distance of the area where the work is performed.

Signage and Labeling

The room sign for the laboratory must contain a “Designated Area” identifier.

In cases where the entire lab is not already considered a Designated Area, all locations within the laboratory where acutely toxic chemicals are handled must be demarcated with designated area caution tape and/or posted with designated area caution signs.  Preprinted tape is available from EHRS. Alternately the lab worker may write “designated area” on yellow tape.  This includes all fume hoods and bench tops where the carcinogenic chemicals are handled.

A legible manufacturer’s label including hazard information must be present on all commercial containers of carcinogenic chemicals.

If carcinogenic chemicals are transferred to another container for storage or to make stock solutions for later use, special labeling requirements apply.  See the “Researcher-Created Labels” section in Section IV:  Chemical Container Labeling in this CHP for a complete list of requirements.

Storage and Transport

Proper storage and transport of carcinogenic Chemicals must be determined by assessing all of the hazards and physical properties of the chemical. 

See Section VI:  Chemical Storage and Transportation in this CHP for a complete list of requirements.

Hazard Controls

Engineering Controls

Chemical Fume Hood

All work with carcinogenic chemicals in open or closed systems must be done in a designated area of a laboratory inside of a properly functioning chemical fume hood.

The fume hood is designed to capture chemical vapor and the hood sash acts as a shield in case of chemical splash.  The sash must be kept closed as much as feasible.

Vacuum Protection

Mechanical vacuum pumps must be protected using cold traps and, where appropriate, must include a filter to prevent particulate release.  The pump exhaust must be vented into an approved exhaust duct or chemical fume hood.

Glove Box

Certain acutely toxic chemicals must be handled in a glove box rather than a fume hood. The Office of Environmental Health and Radiation Safety (8-4453) or the Principal Investigator will determine if this is required.

If a chemical fume hood or glove box is not available, contact EHRS to determine whether the risks can be adequately controlled using alternative controls.

Work Practices

A list of recommended work practices for hazardous chemical handling is included in Section V: Chemical Handling in this CHP. Of particular relevance to carcinogenic  chemical use:

Considerations for purchase

• Do not use carcinogenic  chemicals if less-hazardous alternatives are possible.
• Purchase, dispense, and use the smallest quantity of carcinogenic chemicals possible. 
• Purchase the lowest concentration of carcinogenic chemicals that will meet your research needs.

Considerations for work space

• Use disposable work surface covers (“bench protectors”) in areas where carcinogenic chemicals are handled to prevent contamination of work surface.  Change bench protectors daily when carcinogenic chemicals are used, and properly dispose of contaminated covers.

Considerations for handling

• Do not handle carcinogenic chemicals when working alone.
• Immediately close all containers of carcinogenic chemicals after use.
• Due to the risk of splashes and equipment failures, do not use a syringe and needle to perform transfers of carcinogenic chemicals in volumes of greater than 5 mL. 
• Do not dispense carcinogeni  chemicals directly onto a laboratory balance in the general lab space.  Instead, transfer the material into a sealable, pre-tared container inside the fume hood; then take the sealed container to the balance.  Adjust the amount of material inside the container until the desired mass is reached.  Make all adjustments inside the fume hood.
• The use of carcinogenic chemicals in laboratory animals may require additional work practice controls.  Contact EHRS if your protocol involves acutely toxic chemicals.

Additional work practices for reducing the risks of any lab procedure involving carcinogenic chemicals must be described in a written Hazard Control Plan.

Personal Protective Equipment

Consider the potential routes of exposure and health consequences when selecting personal protective equipment (PPE) for tasks involving carcinogenic chemicals. 

In addition to the minimum lab apparel and PPE requirements, other protective equipment may be necessary to reduce risks.  When additional equipment (such as tight-fitting chemical splash goggles, chemical-resistant gloves, or disposable lab coats) are required, a Hazard Control Plan must be written to document the risk assessment and controls.

Contact EHRS for assistance with risk assessments, glove compatibility, and other PPE selection.

The minimum PPE requirements for all chemical handling tasks, and information about specialty PPE can be found in the "Personal Protective Equipment" section of Section V:  Chemical Handling in this CHP.

Waste and Decontamination

Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling any chemical and whenever you leave the lab.

Use good housekeeping practices to avoid contamination of surfaces, garments, personal belongings, and self.

Decontaminate all surfaces that have come in contact with carcinogenic chemicals and clean-up small spills promptly.  See the chemical Safety Data Sheet or contact EHRS for assistance with determining an appropriate decontamination method.  See “Spills” below for instruction on what to do in the event of a large or hazardous spill of a carcinogenic chemical.

For complete hazardous waste guidelines, see the waste section of the EHRS website: Laboratory Chemical Waste Management Guidelines

Emergencies

Emergency Contacts

General emergency response information can be found at Emergency Info

Spills

General procedures for chemicals spill response can be found in Section X: Chemical Spills in this CHP.

Do not hesitate to call EHRS for assistance with spill cleanup for carcinogenic materials.

24 hours: 215-898-4453

Contact Penn Police (511) only if the spill involves a fire, imminent risk of fire, an injury requiring an ambulance, or if there is a hazard that may affect others in the building.

List of Select and Suspected Carcinogens

This list is provided as a guide and is not all inclusive. Carefully review safety data sheets before working with chemicals.

Related SOPs and Fact Sheets

Phenol-Chloroform Extraction

References

This SOP was based on the previous version of EHRS SOP for Carcinogens and the following additional resources:

1. International Agency for Research on Cancer
2. OSHA's Guide to The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS)
3. OSHA Lab Standard