5-Bromo-2-Deoxyuridine FACT SHEET
Prepared by the University of Maryland Department of Environmental
Health and Safety
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What is BrdU?
BrdU (5-Bromo-2-Deoxyuridine) is an odorless white powder. BrdU is a common chemical used in the detection of proliferating cells in living tissues. It works by substituting for thymidine during DNA replication and incorporating itself into the newly synthesized DNA. Antibodies specific for BrdU can then be used to detect the incorporated chemical, thus indicating cells that were actively replicating its DNA.
What is the health risks associated with BrdU?
BrdU may cause birth defects and other heritable genetic effects. BrdU may also cause eye irritation.
What safety procedures should be followed when working with BrdU?
Employees that work with BrdU need to be trained on the hazards associated with BrdU. Talk to your supervisor about obtaining this training. A properly functioning fume hood must be used when working with BrdU. In addition, eye protection, a laboratory coat and disposable nitrile gloves must be worn. Wash hands after handling BrdU 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
How should BrdU spills be handled?
BrdU 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 BrdU, must be disposed of as Special Medical Waste through EHS.
EHS should be contacted for BrdU 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 BrdU be disposed of?
Unused BrdU must be disposed of as a hazardous chemical through EHS. All potentially contaminated carcasses, bedding, contaminated sharps and other laboratory materials must be disposed of as Special Medical Waste. Contaminated sharps must be placed in a sharps container prior to disposal.
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 BrdU?
Questions concerning safe work practices or health effects of BrdU should be directed to 410.706.3490.
Questions concerning the disposal of BrdU should be directed to 410.706.7207
A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for BrdU can be found at
http://www.biotium.com/product/product_info/MSDS/MSDS%2040024.pdf
The National Institute of Health has published the following safety data sheet for BrdU:
http://dohs.ors.od.nih.gov/pdf/5-Bromo-2%E2%80%99-deoxyuridine.pdf
Additional safety and health information can be found at www.ehs.umaryland.edu
"BrdU." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 30 Jan 2006, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BrdU