Part II: Practical Problems

Safety

Participants in the Olympiad must be prepared to work in a chemical laboratory and be aware of all relevant rules and safety procedures. The organizers will strictly enforce the safety rules given in Appendix A of the IChO Regulations during the Olympiad.

The Preparatory Problems are designed to be carried out in properly equipped chemical laboratories under competent supervision only. For each chemical, the GHS hazard and precautionary numbers are reported. We did not include specific and detailed safety and disposal instructions as regulations are different in each country. Mentors must carefully adapt the problems accordingly.

A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is a technical document that contains detailed and comprehensive information about the hazards of a chemical and how to work safely with the chemical product. You have to know about the hazards with the chemicals in experiments.

Dress code

During the examination, the students will be required to wear: - pants covering their whole legs; - closed and flat shoes; - a lab coat with long sleeves; - if applicable, long hair tied back.

Safety glasses will be supplied and must be carried during the whole examination, even if the student wears prescription glasses. Contact lenses are prohibited.

Any student that fails to respect these rules will not be allowed to enter the lab.

The GHS hazard statements (H-phrases) associated with the materials used are indicated in the problems. Their meanings are as follows.

Definition of GHS hazard statements:

Physical hazards

H224 Extremely flammable liquid and vapour. H225 Highly flammable liquid and vapour.

H226 Flammable liquid and vapour. H272 May intensify fire; oxidizer. H290 May be corrosive to metals. H290 May be corrosive to metals.

Health hazards

H301 Toxic if swallowed. H302 Harmful if swallowed. H302 + H312 + H332 Harmful if swallowed, in contact with skin or if inhaled. H304 May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways. H311 Toxic in contact with skin. H312 Harmful in contact with skin. H312 + H332 Harmful in contact with skin or if inhaled. H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. H315 Causes skin irritation. H317 May cause an allergic skin reaction. H318 Causes serious eye damage. H319 Causes serious eye irritation. H330 Fatal if inhaled. H334 May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled. H335 May cause respiratory irritation. H336 May cause drowsiness or dizziness. H340 May cause genetic defects. H350 May cause cancer. H360FD May damage fertility. May damage the unborn child. H372 Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure.

Environmental hazards

H400 Very toxic to aquatic life. H410 Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. H411 Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. H412 Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects.

Precautionary Statements

P201 Obtain special instructions before use. P210 Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking. P221 Take any precaution to avoid mixing with combustibles, heavy-metal compounds, acids and alkalis. P260 Do not breathe dust or mist.

P261 Avoid breathing dust/ fume/ gas/ mist/ vapours/ spray. P264 Wash skin thoroughly after handling. P273 Avoid release to the environment. P280 Wear protective gloves. P280 "Wear protective gloves/ protective clothing/ eye protection/ face protection." P301 + P310 + P331 IF SWALLOWED: Immediately call a POISON CENTER/doctor. Do NOT induce vomiting. P301 + P312 + P330 IF SWALLOWED: Call a POISON CENTER/doctor if you feel unwell. Rinse mouth. P301 + P330 + P331 IF SWALLOWED: Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting. P302 + P352 IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water. P302 + P352 + P312 "IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water. Call a POISON CENTER/doctor if you feel unwell." P303 + P361 + P353 "IF ON SKIN (or hair): Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse skin with water." P304 + P340 IF INHALED: Remove victim to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing. P304 + P340 + P310 "IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing. Immediately call a POISON CENTER/doctor." P304 + P340 + P312 "IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing. Call a POISON CENTER/doctor if you feel unwell." P305 + P351 + P338 IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. P305 + P351 + P338 + P310 IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. Immediately call a POISON CENTER/doctor. P308 + P310 IF exposed or concerned: immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor/ physician. P314 Get medical advice/ attention if you feel unwell. P337 + P313 If eye irritation persists: Get medical advice/ attention. P370 + P378 "In case of fire: Use dry sand, dry chemical or alcohol-resistant foam to extinguish." P403 + P233 Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed. P403 + P235 Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep cool.

Risk and Safety Statements

R 51/53 Toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment. S 61 Avoid release to the environment. Refer to special instructions/ Safety data sheets.