A chemical tracking system is a database of chemicals in the laboratory.

A "cradle-to-grave" chemical tracking system should track chemicals from the time they are purchased through the time they are used and discarded.

A good chemical tracking system can reduce procurement costs, eliminate unnecessary purchases, and minimize disposal expenses.

A tracking system can be set up by (1) using index cards or another paper system organized by chemical name and/or molecular formula or (2) by creating a computer-based system.

The following tracking fields are recommended:

• Chemical name as printed on the container
• Chemical name as it appears on the MSDS if different from that on the container Molecular formula
• Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) registry number Date received
• Source (i.e., chemical manufacturer, and if known, supplier)
• Type of container
• Hazard classification (for storage, handling, and disposal)
• Required storage conditions
• Room number (for larger institutions with multiple storage locations)
• Location within the room (i.e., shelf #1, acid cabinet)
• Expiration or "use by" date
• Amount of the chemical in the container
• Name of the person who ordered or requested the chemical

Each record represents a SINGLE CONTAINER of a chemical (rather than just the chemical itself).

Keep accurate, up-to-date records of the use of each chemical in the system.

Conduct regularly scheduled inventory inspections to purge any inaccurate data in the system and dispose of outdated, unneeded, or deteriorated chemicals following the written Chemical Hygiene Plan.