Standard Operating Procedures

Working with Paraquat, Paraquat-Treated Animals and Paraquat Waste Products

Last updated: March 29, 2012

Preparation of Paraquat

1.      Dry paraquat is handled and solutions are prepard in a certified fume hood

a.      PPE required: gloves, lab coat and eye protection

2.      In those instances where paraquat must be weighed and prepared outside of the fume hood

a.      PPE required: gloves, lab coat, eye protection and an N-95 mask  

Clean Up Procedure

1.      Dry granular paraquat spilled in fume hood

a.      Cover material and pick up with damp paper towel and place in a sealed ziplock bag for disposal by EHRM

b.      PPE required: gloves, lab coat, and splash goggles

2.      Dry granular paraquat spilled outside of fume hood

a.      Cover material and pick up with damp paper towel and placed in a sealed ziplock bag for disposal by EHRM

b.      PPE required: gloves, lab coat, splash goggles and N-95 mask

3.      Spilled solutions of paraquat

a.      Liquid may be absorbed with dry paper towels which are placed in a sealed ziplock as above for dry

b.      PPE required: gloves, eye protection, and lab coat

c.      Care should be taken to keep the material off shoes

Treating Animals with Paraquat

1.      Animals are treated with paraquat in SB028 in the biosafety cabinet

2.      PPE required: gloves, lab coat, eye protection

3.      All sharps are disposed of into sharps containers

4.      A chemical hazard sign will be placed on the door to SB028 (Paraquat, Phone #, PPE required: gloves, lab coat)

5.      All animal cages will be clearly labeled with “Paraquat Tx”

Paraquat-Treated Animals, Bedding and Caging Materials

1.      PPE required: gloves, lab coat

2.      Dirty bedding and animals are treated as normal waste (no red bag separation needed)

3.      Caging materials are washed in the cage washer without pretreatment