Pay attention to the following general residual hazards when working with the device:

WARNING

Hazardous Substances

Solvents, mobile phases, samples, and reagents might contain toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic, infectious, or otherwise harmful substances. The handling of these substances can pose health and safety risks.

  • Be sure that you know the properties of all substances that you are using. Avoid exposure to harmful substances. If you have any doubt about a substance, handle the substance as if it is potentially harmful.
  • Wear personal protective equipment as required by the hazard and follow good laboratory practice.
  • Reduce the volume of substances to the minimum volume required for sample analysis.
  • Avoid handling of solvent reservoirs above head height.
  • Do not operate the device in a potentially flammable environment.
  • Avoid accumulation of harmful substances. Make sure that the installation site is well ventilated.
  • Dispose of hazardous waste in an environmentally safe manner that is consistent with local regulations. Follow a regulated, approved waste disposal program.

WARNING

Biohazard

Biohazardous material, for example microorganisms, cell cultures, tissues, body fluids, and other biological agents can transmit infectious diseases. To avoid infections with these agents:

  • Assume that all biological substances are at least potentially infectious.
  • Wear personal protective equipment as required by the hazard and follow good laboratory practice.
  • Dispose of biohazardous waste in an environmentally safe manner that is consistent with local regulations. Follow a regulated, approved waste disposal program.

WARNING

Self-Ignition of Solvents

Solvents with a self-ignition temperature below 150 °C might ignite when in contact with a hot surface (for example, due to leakage in the chromatography system).

Avoid the use of these solvents.

WARNING

Hazardous Vapors

Mobile phases and samples might contain volatile or flammable solvents. The handling of these substances can pose health and safety risks.

  • Avoid accumulation of these substances. Make sure that the installation site is well ventilated.
  • Avoid open flames and sparks.
  • Do not operate the device in the presence of flammable gases or fumes.

CAUTION

Escape of Hazardous Substances from PEEK Capillaries

Some capillaries in the system are made of PEEK. Swelling or attack by acids can cause PEEK capillaries to start leaking or to burst. Certain chemicals, for example, trichlormethane (CHCl3), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), or tetrahydrofuran (THF) can cause PEEK to swell. Concentrated acids, such as sulfuric acid and nitric acid, or a mixture of hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol, can attack PEEK.

  • Swelling or attack is not a problem with brief flushing procedures.
  • For more information, refer to the technical literature on the chemical resistance of PEEK.

CAUTION

Allergic Reaction

Some capillaries in the system are made of MP35N™, a nickel/cobalt-based alloy. Individuals with sensitivity to nickel/cobalt may show an allergic reaction from skin contact.

CAUTION

Sparking due to Electrostatic Discharge

Liquid flowing through capillaries can generate static electricity. This effect is particularly present with insulating capillaries and non-conductive solvents (for example, pure acetonitrile). Discharge of electrostatic energy might lead to sparking, which could constitute a fire hazard.

Prevent the generation of static electricity near the chromatography system.