Labeling Other Chemical Containers

Minimize stocks and segregate from other chemicals and work areas. Where appropriate, keep samples dilute or damp and avoid formation of large crystals when practicable. Add stabilizers if possible, e.g. to vinyl monomers. Store in specially-designed, well-labelled containers in No Smoking areas, preferably in several small containers rather than one large container. Where relevant, store in dark and under chilled conditions, except where this causes pure material to separate from stabilizer (e.g. acrylic acid). 

An affinity label is a molecule that contains a functionality that is chemically reactive and will therefore form a covalent bond with other molecules containing a complementary functionality. Generally, affinity labels contain electrophilic functionalities that form covalent bonds with protein nucleophiles, leading to protein alkylation or protein acylation. In some cases affinity labels interact selectively with specific amino acid side chains, and this feature of the molecule can make them useful reagents for defining the importance of certain amino acid types in enzyme function. For example, iodoacetate and A-ethyl maleimide are two compounds that selectively modify the sulfur atom of cysteine side chains. These compounds can therefore be used to test the functional importance of cysteine residues for an enzyme s activity. This topic is covered in more detail below in Section 8.4. 

Chemical attachment of a detectable component to an oligonucleotide forms the basis for constructing a sensitive hybridization reagent. Unfortunately, the methods developed to crosslink or label other biological molecules such as proteins do not always apply to nucleic acids. The major reactive sites on proteins involve primary amines, sulfhydryls, carboxylates, or phenolates— groups that are relatively easy to derivatize. RNA and DNA contain none of these functionalities. 

Please Note Chemicals with labels that are colored and striped may react with other chemicals in the same hazard class. See MSDS for more information. Chemical containers which are not color coded should have hazard information on the label. Read the label carefully and store accordingly. 

Chemical lures impregnated with prey scent have been developed for different species of carnivorous fish. Lures for different game fish species are supposed to contain different chemicals, although usually not revealed on the labels of the products. The artificial lures are made of cellulose ether, a polyalkylene glycol, plasticizers, and other chemicals, and are impregnated with amino acids. 

Volatile pesticides, such as some types of 2,4-D, should be stored apart from other types of pesticides and other chemicals. A separate room is ideal. Vapors from opened containers of these pesticide can move into other nearby pesticides and chemicals and make them useless. The labeling of volatile herbicides usually will direct you to store them separately from seeds, fertilizers, and other types of pesticides. 

Chemical waste should be disposed of in properly labeled containers. Waste should be separated based on their reactivity with other chemicals. 

Hazardous Substances Act as amended supercedes the earlier legislation this Act is administered by the Consumer Products Safety Commission at present. Other Acts also include precautionary labeling provisions, for example the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, administered by the Environmental Protection Agency. The Occupational Safety and Health Act, administered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration contains provisions for precautionary labeling. Other label requirements of principal interest to the chemical industry are also contained in the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, The Toxic Substance Control Act, and the Transportation Act. 

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