Safety Alert Archive

Streptozotocin - C8H15N3O7 - FACT SHEET  
Prepared by the University of Maryland Department of Environmental
Health and Safety
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What is Streptozotocin?
Streptozotocin (Streptozocin, STZ, Zanosar) is a naturally occurring chemical that is particularly toxic to the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas in mammals. It is used in medicine for treating certain cancers and used in medical research to produce an animal model for Type 1 diabetes.

What is the health risks associated with Streptozotocin? Streptozotocin is potentially carcinogenic in humans.

What safety procedures should be followed when working with Streptozotocin?
Employees that work with Streptozotocin need to be trained on the hazards associated with it. Talk to your supervisor about obtaining this training. A properly functioning fume hood must be used when working with Streptozotocin. In addition, eye protection, a laboratory coat and disposable nitrile gloves must be worn. Wash hands after handling Streptozotocin or any other hazardous material.   

Additional information on safe work practices can be found in the University Chemical Hygiene Plan. The Chemical Hygiene Plan can be found at the Department of Environmental Health and Safety’s (EHS) website – http://www.ehs.umaryland.edu/osh/chemhyg.cfm

In animal areas, employees need to be informed of the potential hazards associated with handling urine and fecal material from animals injected with this material. At a minimum, a sign listing that the animals have been exposed to Streptozotocin, that it is a potential carcinogen, and procedures and personal protective equipment for handling animal bedding and excreted matter needs to be posted at the entrance to rooms housing them.

How should Streptozotocin spills be handled?

Streptozotocin spills that can be cleaned up without creating an inhalation hazard should be done by the immediate staff working with the material. The material should be wiped up with absorbent paper (if the material is in a powder form the absorbent paper should be wetted with water). The area of the spill should then be cleaned with soap and water. Eye protection, a laboratory coat, and disposable nitrile gloves must be worn while cleaning up the material. Wash hands after cleaning-up the spill. Waste generated from the spill, to include material that has been contaminated with Streptozotocin, must be disposed of as Hazardous Waste through EHS.

EHS should be contacted for  Streptozotocin spills that may create an inhalation hazard, if the spill is in a public area, or if there are other safety concerns that cannot be addressed by the staff working with the material.  

How should Streptozotocin be disposed of?

Unused Streptozotocin must be disposed of as a hazardous waste through EHS. Once it is mixed with other active ingredients, injected into an animal or used in any other way other than just diluting it with water, it is no longer regulated. Thus bedding does not need to be disposed of differently than under normal procedures.

Additional information on disposing of hazardous materials can be found in Waste Disposal Guidebook at http://www.ehs.umaryland.edu/waste/waste_disposal_guidebook.cfm

How do I get more information on Streptozotocin?

Questions concerning safe work practices or health effects of Streptozotocin should be directed to 410.706.3490.

Questions concerning the disposal of Streptozotocin should be directed to 410.706.7207

A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for Streptozotocin can be found at http://www.usbweb.com/msds/21870A.pdf

Additional safety and health information can be found at www.ehs.umaryland.edu