Common Chemical Hazards
It is the responsibility of the investigator to notify research personnel and ACS staff of any hazards and special operating procedures required to handle animals exposed to chemical hazards.
UF IACUC Toxic Chemical List ( Filterable Excel file)
***The chart below goes over information regarding the most commonly used chemical hazards in animals,
but does not include all chemicals used at the University of Florida.
| Chemical Name | Other names used | Hazards |
|---|---|---|
| Bromodeoxyuridine | 5-bromo-2’-deoxyuridine, BrdU | Unused material should be picked up by EHS; contaminated bedding & carcasses should be incinerated. Confirmed teratogen, human mutagen, suspected teratogen/ reproductive toxin, strong toxin/sensitizing agent. |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | CCl4 | Toxic by inhalation, ingestion, or skin abosorbtion. Carcinogen |
| Cisplatin | Dichlotoplatinum Diammoniate; Cis-Diaminedichloroplatinum | Suspected human carcinogen, confirmed human mutagen, possible teratogen/reproductive toxin, acute toxin (LD50 rat oral 28.5 mg/kg)- extremely dangerous by all exposure routes. |
| Complete Freund’s Adjuvant | CFA, Freund's Complete Adjuvant (FCA) | May cause skin reactions, headaches, vomiting; return unused portion to lab for disposal through EH&S Hazardous Waste |
| Cyclophosphamide | CPH, CB-4564, Mitoxan, Clafen, Cytoxan, B518, Genoxal, Endoxan, Sendoxan, NSC 26271, Cyclophosphan e | Confirmed human carcinogen, teratogen, mutagen, embryotoxin, IARC group 1, NTP "known" human carcinogen, OSHA/NIOSH hazardous drug (antineoplastic agent). |
| Dimethylsulfoxide | DMSO | Avoid contact with DMSO solutions containing toxic materials or materials with unknown toxicological properties. Dimethyl sulfoxide is readily absorbed through skin and may carry such materials into the body. Use extreme caution and wear appropriate PPE. |
| Doxorubicin | Adriamycin, 14-hydroxy daunomycin, DX, DXR, 5,12-napthacenedione, NCI-CO1514, NSC-123127 | Confirmed human carcinogen and mutagen, suspected teratogen and reproductive toxin. Refer to MSDSs/Additional links for additional resources. |
| Ethynyldeoxyuridine | EdU, 5-Ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine | Reproductive toxin and potential mutagen |
| Evans Blue Dye | Possible carcinogenic properties, extensive animal test data indicating mutagenic, teratogenic, and reproductive toxin properties. | |
| Formaldehyde/ formalin/paraformaldehyde | Carcinogen; irreversible damage to eyes; heritable genetic damage | |
| Gemcitabine | Possible mutagenic/reproductive toxin properties. | |
| Glutaraldehyde | Cidex | toxic by inhalation; causes burns; very toxic to aquatic organisms |
| Lipopolysaccharide | LPS | May cause allergic skin reaction; avoid contact with eyes. In case of spill or leak, absorb/contain solution with inert materials. Prevent runoff from entering waterways or sewers as it may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment) |
| Nicotine | Nicotine free-base, Black leaf, Nicotine hemisulfate 40% aqueous solution, Nicotine sulfate, dl-tetrahydronicotyrine, N'-nitrosonornicotine, Nicotine 1'-nitroso-1'-demethyl, (-)-nicotine, l-nicotine, 1-methyl-2-(3-pyridyl) pyrrolidine; "novel" nicotinic agents | EPA-regulated hazardous waste; positive evidence of human fetal risk at high doses; 40–60 mg (0.5-1.0 mg/kg) can be a lethal dosage for adult humans; very hazardous in case of skin contact (permeator), of ingestion |
| Paclitaxel | Taxol, Taxol A | Mutagen, possible reproductive toxin |
| Pancuronium bromide | Pancronium, Pavulon | Possible mutagen, Ames test: mutagenic properties. Potent (subacute) toxin. |
| PFA/Acrylamide | toxic if swallowed, carcinogen, mutagen, neurotoxin | |
| Pilocarpine hydrochloride | (3S,4R)-4,5-Dihydro-3-ethyl-4-(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-5-ylmethyl)-2(3H)-furanone hydrochloride, almocarpine, MI-Pilo, Pilocar, Pilocel, Pilocarpine hydrochloride. | Strong (subacute toxin) which can be fatal via inhalation, ingestion, or skin exposure, with additional potential for teratogenic and reproductive toxin effects. Seizure-inducing agent, handle with extreme care. |
| Rapamycin | AY 22989, NSC 226080, Sirolimus | Irritant, possible mutagen, possible immune system depression, possible mutagen (animal data only). |
| Reproductive hormones/effectors (synthetic/natural) | Mifepristone (RU-486), Lutalyse (PGF-2alpha), PGE1, estrogen, progesterone, etc. | Potential reproductive toxins and niche precautions (e.g. pregnant woment, men or women of childbearing age). |
| Streptozotocin | STZ | Human carcinogen, mutagen, and teratogen |
| Tamoxifen | Tamoxifen citrate, novadex, tamofen, nolvadex | may cause reproductive and fetal effects; potential cancer hazard |
| Temozolomide (TMZ) | TMZ, Temodar, Temodal, NSC-362856, 3,4-dihydro-3-methyl-4-oxoimidazole | Cytotoxic, mutagenic, reproductive hazard, carcinogen, unused material should be picked up by EHS; contaminated bedding & carcasses should be incinerated |
| Tricaine Methanosulfonate | MS-222, Tricaine | irritant; do not discard into natural environment – dispose as hazardous waste |
| Urethane | Ethyl Urethane, Ethyl Carbamate | Carcinogen, Mutagen, Suspected teratogen, and Reproductive toxin. |