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Chemical Storage and Compatibility
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Find general guidelines for compatibilities of several chemical groups.
Guidelines
This list is not meant to be all-inclusive or cover every possible combination. If you have any specific compatibility issues or if unsure which chemicals can be safely stored together, contact the expert below.
| Chemical Group | Incompatible With |
|---|---|
| Flammable solvents (xylene, toluene, benzene, ethyl benzene, etc) | Caustics, acids (with the exception of acetic acid which should be stored along with flammables), oxidizers |
| Inorganic acids, non-oxidizing (sulfuric, hydrochloric, phosphoric acids, etc.) | Caustics, flammables, cyanides, sulfides, most halogenated and non-halogenated organics, reducing compounds, peroxides |
| Inorganic acids, oxidizing (nitric, chromic acids, etc.) | Organic acids, flammables, caustics, cyanides, sulfides, most halogenated and non-halogenated organics, reducing compounds, peroxides |
| Organic acids (formic acid, etc.) | Inorganic acids (oxidizing), flammables, cyanides, sulfides, caustics, most non-halogenated and halogenated organics |
| Oxidizers (sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, etc.) | Organics, inorganic acids, organic acids, reducers |
| Water reactives (sodium metal, lithium, etc) | Water, should be stored separate from all other chemicals |
| Cyanide and sulfide compounds | Inorganic and organic acids |
| Ammonia | Bleach, acids, organics |
| Halogenated solvents (chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethylene, etc.) | Acids, caustics, oxidizers |
Other Resources
The Chemical Reactivity Worksheet is a free program you can use to find out about the reactivity of substances or mixtures of substances from the Office of Response and Restoration, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Contact an Expert
Joshua Snyder
Laboratory Safety Manager
Environment, Health & Safety
Phone: 716-829-5829
Email: jsnyder8@buffalo.edu