Prohibited and Limited Chemicals

Chemical

Restriction
Prohibited 
Perchloric Acid* Formation of potentially explosives salts.  Benchtop work prohibited, fume hood work prohibited (*use in CASES building perchloric acid hood is allowed), expiry 2 years from manufacture (must be tracked in ErPortal), six month visual checks are required to keep beyond 6-12 months.
Radioactive Materials Lakehead University does not currently hold a license for use of radioactive materials on Campus
Asbestos Asbestos is a designated substance.  Equipment purchased or acquired by Lakehead University must be free from asbestos. 
  
Limited Chemicals/Items 
Picric Acid Picric acid crystals are highly shock sensitive.  Only purchase quantities which will be used up in 2 years.  Expiry is 2 years from date of manufacture (must be tracked in ErPortal).
Biohazardous Materials May only be acquired through purchasing on approval of the Biosafety Officer and Lakehead University Biosafety Committee.
Lasers Class 3A + lasers must be on the University Inventory, contact the Lab Safety Officer
X-rays Devices X-ray producing devices must be registered with the Ontario government and may require use of personnel dosimeters.  Contact the Lab Safety Officer.
Hydrofluoric Acid Hydrofluoric Acid can cause fatalities with a very small exposure.  Use and storage requires availability of an antidote.  Only labs that have rigorous training programs will be able to purchase and use hydrofluoric acid.  Antidote expiry must be tracked in ErPortal.
AzidesForms shock sensitive compounds with some metals, produces a highly toxic and explosive acid when reacts with strong acids, reacts violently with oxidizing agents.  Purchase only quantities that can be used up within one year (expiry date to be tracked on ErPortal).  Do not accept stock from laboratory close-outs.
Metal Fulminates Explosive
Mercury or Mercury Compounds Highly toxic, designated substances, use is controlled by the Provincial Government
Lead or Lead Compounds Highly toxic, designated substances, use is controlled by the Provincial Government
Chemicals on the Montreal Protocol Damaging to the Ozone layer and currently in phasing out of use transition.
  
  
Chemicals With Expiry DatesExpiry Date  (from date of Manufacture) or Stabilizer to be added if possible
 Sodium Azide 3 years
  Diethyl Ether12 months if inhibited, 3 month unhibitited -  Diethyl ether must have stabilizer added.  Butylated hydroxytoluene (low ppm) or 2% ethanol
 Tetrahydrofuran (THF) 12 months if inhibited, 3 month unhibitited - 100-300 ppm Butylated hydroxytoluene as stabilizer
 Picric Acid 2 years
 Sodium Amide 3 months
Styrene Must be stabilized - tertiary-butyl catechol (TBC) or p-tert-butyl catechol at 10-50 ppm
Peroxide Forming ChemicalsSee document for details Peroxide Forming Compounds Safety Procedure
Calcium Gluconate Gel Antidote for Hydrofluoric Acid - expiry date as per each tube

The table above includes commonly used chemicals of concern at Lakehead University, but is not all inclusive.  For a more complete list of chemicals that are potentially explosive, please see the following document.  In some cases, expiry dates can be extended by use of stabilizers or tests confirming that peroxides have not formed.  These tests must be completed by someone with training in test methods, contact labsafety@lakeheadu.ca.

Peroxide Forming Compounds Safety Procedure