Hanna ULR Phosphate Test Reagent - Toxicity

[Alexander1312]

I know we have some scientists and doctors here, so my question is the following:

Given what perplexity produced below regarding the toxicity of these Hanna reagents - specifically that it can be absorbed through the skin (last bullet point) - should they never be handled without wearing gloves?

 

[iani]

Not the type of doctor you are probably talking about, but I would say yes. You should wear gloves.

 

[Patio]

Whenever I read "scientist" I am reminded of a funny movie scene in half baked. Sorry got sidetracked.

The instructions you posted also suggest protective eyewear in the 4th bullet point. How often are you testing phosphate with the hanna checker these days?

 

[Alexander1312]

Whenever I read "scientist" I am reminded of a funny movie scene in half baked. Sorry got sidetracked.

The instructions you posted also suggest protective eyewear in the 4th bullet point. How often are you testing phosphate with the hanna checker these days?

View attachment 73264

Weekly in both tanks. So this can add up.

 

[BAYMAC]

Whenever I read "scientist" I am reminded of a funny movie scene in half baked. Sorry got sidetracked.

The instructions you posted also suggest protective eyewear in the 4th bullet point. How often are you testing phosphate with the hanna checker these days?

View attachment 73264

<not a scientist, or Doctor>

That is most likely the verbiage from the source SDS. I suspect the small amount you'd get on yourself, or inhale, would be too little to do anything to you.

Most I've gotten on myself, testing commercially, is a drop or two. Never inhaled anything.

I've spilt more vials then I care to count though

 

[Patio]

<not a scientist, or Doctor>

That is most likely the verbiage from the source SDS. I suspect the small amount you'd get on yourself, or inhale, would be too little to do anything to you.

Most I've gotten on myself, testing commercially, is a drop or two. Never inhaled anything.

I've spilt more vials then I care to count though

Me either on the doc or sci front.

Good to know about the small amounts!

I am really good at not testing phosphate... Like pro level good. I should see where its at these days I suppose.

 

[BAYMAC]

I was director of aquaculture for a large aquaponics outfit for a spell. We tested a lot.

At home, I'm in your wagon I have a few new meters that haven't been taken out of the box.

 

[iani]

Caveat, I forgot to mention, I also wear gloves whenever I put my hands into my tank.

 

[L/B Block]

@Alexander1312 -i do look at those warnings and wonder. I just keep my nose and eyes away from it (and no fan) and call it a day.

I test PO4x generally 2x a week. Of course you can a get a trident NP or hydros maven whenever it actually comes out & not worry at all!

 

[Alexander1312]

Caveat, I forgot to mention, I also wear gloves whenever I put my hands into my tank.

So do I, but wearing gloves when testing the water has some logistical challenges with the Hanna testers specifically.

 

[Alexander1312]

@Alexander1312 -i do look at those warnings and wonder. I just keep my nose and eyes away from it (and no fan) and call it a day.

I test PO4x generally 2x a week. Of course you can a get a trident NP or hydros maven whenever it actually comes out & not worry at all!

The Hanna nitrate and salifert CA also have warnings but the skull on the phoshpate reagent made me nervous (after several years using it…).

 

[ReyDeFarts]

May I chime in? Not a scientist nor doctor... but I have experience with this reagent. I am exposed to this reagent daily multiple times per day at work. It is not the Hanna version, but it is nearly identical. It is actually more concentrated than the Hanna version. Opening it carelessly does indeed cause the fine powder to be put into the air and is indeed quite irritating even if you breathe in a little. The SDS for the chemical compounds in bulk form are indeed highly toxic. Personally, I do not feel you need to worry. Open the packages carefully and don't try to cause too much dust when "tapping" the corners to get the reagent into the vial. Just be careful and you'll be fine.

 

[Slingfox]

Medical/lab gloves can be purchased on Amazon for cheap. I just put a box in the same drawer with my testing supplies.

 

[FinalPhaze987]

Following best practices when performing test and proper PPE usage will get you far. Quite frankly, I'm more weary of handling NaOH than this, and I've been working with antineoplastic drugs daily for over 20 years.

I'd personally defer to the expertise of @ReyDeFarts since he handles this daily. If you want to know how to handle a doxorubacin spill, ill gladly chime in.

As stated, heed the warnings on the SDS and maintain caution...you'll be fine

 

[L/B Block]

@Alexander1312 -one thing I do use are those 3-d funnels that go over the curvette- makes a huge difference in that it never gets on my hands at all.

 

[derek_SR]

I like to use a rolled up dollar bill and a mirror (I use my tang aggression mirror - but any will do).

 

[Alexander1312]

I like to use a rolled up dollar bill and a mirror (I use my tang aggression mirror - but any will do).

Why does this does not surprise me?

 

[Darkxerox]

@Alexander1312 -one thing I do use are those 3-d funnels that go over the curvette- makes a huge difference in that it never gets on my hands at all.

We handed out a ton of these at the CFM and they were very popular (thanks @Srt4eric for printing).

As @ReyDeFarts said there's a trick to opening these packages. Tap the corner of the side farthest away from the tear away sides to get the powder into the bottom of the sachet. Tear away the two sides on the dotted line. Then pinch two corners to turn the pouch into a v shaped funnel. Reduces most issues with spillage. Then wash your hands after.

 

[ReyDeFarts]

I'll have to get a pic of the reagent packet I have to use. Half the size of the hanna and only opens from the top with little to no air gap in it to tap it down. Fun...

 

[RandyC]

Personally, I do not feel you need to worry. Open the packages carefully and don't try to cause too much dust when "tapping" the corners to get the reagent into the vial. Just be careful and you'll be fine.

I shared a video I made a couple years back that shows exactly this as well as Hanna's video. I like to crease the package before pouring as it seems to me to help control the powder better as you pour it into the cuvette.

Obviously, I'm careless with the PPE. Don't follow my example on that.

https://www.bareefers.org/forum/threads/automatic-testers-for-nitrate-phosphate.33114/post-475227