In all workspaces where substances such as cytotoxics and drugs are handled and stored, it is important to have good safety furniture that protects you at all times. Storage cabinets make sure to protect the contents of them from any danger or accident, since working with liquids and delicate substances, is even more so.
On the other hand, it is not necessary to have an armored room to protect the contents of their containers, but it is important to categorize their contents by levels of danger, and choose the security closet that best fits the amount of substance you have to store.
That is why, through the correct use of safe storage cabinets for cytotoxic products, the basic functions for the protection of these chemicals must be taken into account and storage risks avoided.
Security Mechanisms of Cabinets
The high risk of cytotoxic products makes this standard a reference in this field, since, with the functional capabilities provided by storage units, it will allow separations between incompatible substances to isolate and confine certain carcinogenic products and substances of high danger.
It should be noted that the main points of this rule are:
- Auto door lock.
- Minimum retention.
- Cabinet ventilation.
- Fire protection.
In the event of a fire, the safety cabinet must ensure, for at least 15 minutes, that the products it contains do not contribute to increasing the risks or spreading the fire. The mechanism of the security doors and windows must close themselves from any position. Likewise, the cabinet must be provided with a retention bucket installed at the bottom, in order to recover the liquids discharged from all shelves.
Security cabinets must be equipped with air inlet and outlet holes, allowing them to be connected to an air extraction system.
Recommendations for use
In order to have only the products to be used in the work area, procedures for cleaning and ordering should be implemented with the use of the storage cabinets, so that, planning emergencies, training and informing workers about the risks of storage of cytotoxic products, how to prevent them and how to protect themselves, are the main safety measures that must be met to avoid accidents by residues of medicines and any material that has been in contact with them, which present carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic risks.
It should be noted that cytotoxic compounds are high-risk electrolytes that can cause serious damage, and even death, when an error occurs in their use.
In this way, it is advisable to adhere to the following guidelines:
- Cytotoxic products should be stored under lock and key, to which only authorized persons have access.
- Inflexible stock control must be in place.
- Contain in a double container that prevents dispersions or spills (the double system should be a bag of transparent plastic material inside the container, so that a possible spill can be controlled easily).
- Must be stored separately.
- Store in small quantities and containing stabilizers.
- Store them away from acids and bases.
Therefore, proper handling and taking into account the risks of improperly storing carcinogenic products can cause irreversible damage.
Security Storage Cabinets, Brand Kalstein
In this category, our users will find appropriate accessories for all laboratory equipment. This includes a wide selection of YR Series Safety Storage Cabinets, which have a capacity of 110kg, and a volume of 45 GAL / 170 GAL. In addition, Safe and reliable double lock: Two locks, two managers. Double security, lock and closet lock, standardized management, improved security factor.
For more information, we at Kalstein can offer you laboratory materials, and for this we invite you to review our catalog HERE