Australia's Science Forum

Hi All
I just bought a new bottle of chem-supply iodine and it is no longer classified as corrosive. It is classed as "hazardous to the aquatic environment" and "acute toxicity".

Anyone else noticed this? I'm not sure how old our old bottle was, so maybe I've just missed something that happened years ago!

This is what worries me about the GHS and our storage of the chemicals.
I have been looking through our range of chemicals (so far I have checked about 30 of our 370odd chemicals) to try and work out how to store them.
So far I have discovered that Hydrochloric, Formic and Butyric acid have the "Acute Toxicity" pictogram as the No1 Hazard before the "Corrosive" pictogram.
From what I have read, both the GHS pictogram and the Class diamond should not be on the label.
How do we know where to put them!

ChemGold FFX still has it as corrosive, hazardous to the aquatic environment and acute toxicity.

I can attest to it being corrosive!! I spilt a small amount of the granules and the got caught in the wrist band of my watch. Once it hit my skin it burnt little holes in my wrist!!

Dont forget the old system is still to be used for storage but GHS is for effects of use (can't think of a better word), so therefore may vary.
Well thats my understanding of it all anyway.

Mine too Superbug, and a very stupid system it is in my opinion!

Spot on Superbug, you are so right.

On the Safety Data Sheet the transport hazard is 6.1, not an "8".

Merilyn1
Is that under section 14 transport information? I looked it up and it had under sect 14 class 8 and then class 6. of the gold version.

Yes, Superbug, under S.14, but I'm referring to the SDS from the manufacturer (Chemsupply) dated March, 2015. I only use Chemwatch SDSs if I can't obtain one directly from the supplier.

Yes I see what you mean Merilyn1.
The supplier SDS says a hole lot of rubbish,at the start of section 14 where it does state something about class 8.

BUT then It only says 6 in the DG class.

The start of S. 14 talks about chemicals it is incompatible with in transport. I got a bit giddy reading it the first time, but took time to work out what they were saying. Interesting on a chart I have with the old DGC - Group 6 causes injury and Group 8 cause damage. So I guess it depends on the definitions of injury and damage.

Fibreweb we still need to store them according to the old system. It seems we will have 2 different systems one for storage (old) and one for hazards (GHS NEW). So dont change anything.

I have looked up on chemwatch 2 other supplier names and both say class 8 for iodine, so I think chem-supply have made a mistake.

Toxic, at room temp the vapours are toxic. And it burns. I split some crystals once and unbeknownst to myself (clearly), an errant crystal found its way down my sock. About 30mins later, while up the shops, I did the something-is-burning-a-hole-in-my-foot-dance, which was taking my shoe and sock off, hopping around in a manic state and spitting on my foot. All I could see was a brown stain, but OMG!, it HURT! Hint of the week: don't spill iodine crystals down your sock.

So to clarify where they're put in Chemstore:

If we are still to store them according to the old system, isn't it common sense to have both pictogram and diamond clearly marked?

Are people reorganising their chemstores?

Short Answer: NO

Thanks Rae,

Unfortunately your beautiful short answer needs some clarification for an old chook like me!!! LOL

I'm hoping you mean NO to reorganising Chemstore....

I'd still like an answer to Fibreweb's earlier post re having both types of safety symbols on the labels.

I have been adding the diamonds to new chemicals to help all our staff get our heads around the changes. Should I stop? But that doesn't make sense, especially if we are to keep storing them under the old system.

I have not re-organized my chemstore, just have two signs up the 5.1 oxdizing and the new GHS one on the CUPBOARD DOOR, Not the bottles. I also need to learn the new GHS ones, so have them in the prep room. But on the bottles I only have the GHS one. Why would you need to re-organize your chemstore?????????????????? or have I missed some thing.

Ya jes gots ta kno aahm not re-ogranisin' mah storeroom! Gosh darn it. Enough work as it is!

Oh Smiley!!!
How I've missed your humour!!!!!