Safety Operating Procedures for Sodium Persulfate in Laboratories

Release Time:
2025-08-31
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Sodium Persulfate is a commonly used chemical with special properties, widely applied in multiple fields. It possesses strong oxidizing properties, a characteristic that allows it to play a key role in many chemical reactions, but it is also the source of its potential hazards. When in contact with or mixed with organic substances, reducing agents, and flammable materials (such as sulfur and phosphorus), it poses a risk of causing combustion; in cases of rapid combustion, it may even lead to explosions. Moreover, it is irritating to the eyes, upper respiratory tract, and skin. Therefore, when using Sodium Persulfate in laboratories, a thorough understanding of its safety operating procedures is essential.

Safety Operating Procedures for Sodium Persulfate in Laboratories

I. Preparation Before Operation

Personnel Training

Laboratory staff must receive specialized training to familiarize themselves with the properties, uses, and potential hazards of Sodium Persulfate. The training content should include correct operation methods, emergency response measures, etc. Only personnel who pass the relevant assessment are allowed to conduct experimental operations involving Sodium Persulfate.

Equipping Protective Gear

When operating Sodium Persulfate, appropriate protective gear must be worn. This includes:

Safety goggles: To prevent Sodium Persulfate powder or solution from splashing into the eyes and causing eye burns.

Laboratory gloves: Chemical-resistant rubber gloves should be chosen to avoid direct contact between the skin of the hands and Sodium Persulfate.

Laboratory coat: A lab coat with certain protective properties should be worn to prevent Sodium Persulfate from contaminating daily clothing (which could otherwise lead to clothing oxidation). Inhalation of its powder may also cause harm to the body.

Laboratory Environment Inspection

Ensure the laboratory is well-ventilated. A good ventilation system can promptly exhaust potentially harmful gases, reduce the concentration of Sodium Persulfate dust in the air, and minimize respiratory irritation and combustion risks. Additionally, check that the laboratory workbench is clean, dry, and free of other unrelated chemicals to prevent accidental reactions between Sodium Persulfate and other substances.


II. Safety in Handling and Weighing

Handling Methods

When taking solid Sodium Persulfate, use a dry and clean spatula to avoid reactions between residual moisture or impurities on the spatula and Sodium Persulfate. If Sodium Persulfate is stored in a wide-mouth bottle, after opening the bottle cap, place the inner side of the cap facing upward on a clean, dry workbench or surface to prevent contamination. During handling, operate carefully to avoid Sodium Persulfate powder from floating into the air.

Weighing Operations

Weighing of Sodium Persulfate should be conducted in a dedicated weighing area, preferably using an electronic balance with a wind shield. This reduces the impact of dust on the balance and ensures weighing accuracy. Place weighing paper or a small beaker on the balance pan to prevent direct contact between Sodium Persulfate and the pan. During weighing, minimize the exposure time of Sodium Persulfate to the air. After weighing, immediately seal and store the remaining Sodium Persulfate to prevent it from absorbing moisture or reacting with other components in the air.


III. Key Points for Dissolution and Dilution

Dissolution Steps

When dissolving Sodium Persulfate, first add an appropriate amount of deionized water to a clean beaker, then slowly add solid Sodium Persulfate to the water while gently stirring with a glass rod to promote dissolution. Never pour water into solid Sodium Persulfate—this may cause local over-concentration and trigger a violent reaction. Control the stirring force to avoid splashing of the solution.

Dilution Precautions

If dilution of the Sodium Persulfate solution is required, the principle of "adding water first, then the solution" must also be followed. Slowly pour the concentrated solution into water and stir continuously to ensure uniform mixing of the solution. Throughout the dissolution and dilution process, closely monitor changes in the solution. If abnormal phenomena such as excessive heat generation or bubbling occur, immediately stop the operation and take corresponding emergency measures.

Reaction Process Monitoring

During chemical reactions involving Sodium Persulfate, closely monitor reaction phenomena. Due to the strong oxidizing property of Sodium Persulfate, reactions may be relatively violent. Control the reaction temperature, time, and the ratio of reactants to prevent reaction runaway. For example, if heating is required for the reaction, select an appropriate heating method (such as water bath heating or oil bath heating) and use a thermometer to monitor the reaction temperature in real time to prevent hazards caused by excessive temperature. Additionally, pay attention to the selection of reaction containers to ensure they can withstand pressure changes during the reaction.


IV. Storage Requirements

Storage Environment

Sodium Persulfate should be stored in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated warehouse, away from ignition sources and heat sources. This is because in high-temperature and humid environments, the stability of Sodium Persulfate is affected—it may decompose to produce harmful gases and even increase the risk of explosion.

Isolated Storage

Sodium Persulfate must be stored separately from strong acids, reducing agents, flammable materials (e.g., sulfur, phosphorus), organic substances (including alcohols), active metal powders, and ammonium salts. Mixed storage is strictly prohibited. Contact between these substances and Sodium Persulfate may trigger violent reactions, leading to fires or explosions. In the storage area, clearly visible labels should be placed, indicating the name, properties, and storage precautions of Sodium Persulfate for easy management and handling.


V. Emergency Response Measures

Leakage Handling

In case of Sodium Persulfate leakage, immediately isolate the contaminated leakage area and restrict personnel access. It is recommended that emergency response personnel wear dust masks (full-face masks) and chemical protective clothing, and avoid direct contact with the leaked material.

For small-scale leaks: Avoid dust generation, carefully sweep up the material or absorb it using inert materials (e.g., sand, vermiculite, diatomaceous earth), and collect it in a dry, clean, and covered container for disposal as hazardous waste. Never use flammable absorbent materials (e.g., sawdust).

For large-scale leaks: Cover the area with plastic sheeting or canvas to reduce scattering, then collect and recycle the material or transport it to a waste disposal site for treatment.

Skin Contact Handling

If skin comes into contact with Sodium Persulfate, immediately remove contaminated clothing and rinse the affected area with a large amount of running water for at least 15 minutes. If discomfort (such as redness, stinging) persists after rinsing, seek medical attention promptly.

Eye Contact Handling

If Sodium Persulfate comes into contact with the eyes, quickly lift the eyelids and rinse with running water or physiological saline for at least 15 minutes. During rinsing, continuously rotate the eyes to ensure all parts of the eyes are rinsed. After rinsing, seek medical attention immediately.

Inhalation Handling

If Sodium Persulfate dust or gas is inhaled, quickly move to a place with fresh air and keep the respiratory tract unobstructed. If breathing is difficult, provide oxygen; if breathing stops, do not perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Instead, use a bag-valve-mask resuscitator or other appropriate ventilation equipment for artificial respiration, and seek medical attention as soon as possible.


The strong oxidizing property of Sodium Persulfate means it harbors multiple risks during laboratory operations, requiring laboratory personnel to establish a solid safety barrier through full-process standardized management. As a professional manufacturer with over 20 years of experience in the persulfate field, Fujian ZhanHua Chemical has always integrated safety concepts into all links of production, transportation, and use. It provides high-quality, safe, and reliable Sodium Persulfate products for factorys, and offers strong support in safety training and technical assistance. Fujian ZhanHua Chemical understands that safety is the cornerstone of scientific research, and thus is committed to helping laboratories use Sodium Persulfate more safely and efficiently through professional services and technical guidance.


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