Bleach and LISS: a potential hazard

Investigation into the corrosion of a copper alloy inlet port of a vacuum aspirator revealed an exothermic reaction between copper, glycine--the primary constituent of low-ionic-strength-saline (LISS)--and the widely used disinfectant sodium hypochlorite (common bleach). The apparatus had been used for several years to aspirate LISS-wash supernatants during the preparation of LISS-suspended red cells for antibody detection tests. A small blue-rimmed hole had formed through the side of the inlet port of the equipment, which had been rinsed with bleach during periodic cleansing. Our observations indicate a need for caution when using bleach to decontaminate waste or spills containing glycine. Contact of such materials with base metal parts of laboratory apparatus should be avoided, especially when copper is involved.