Guidelines for care & Use of Dry Solvent Stills [Example]

4. Dr. Buchmueller – Lab Room #1
SPECIFIC PROCEDURE FOR SAFE REMOVAL OF HIGHLY TOXIC WASTE #1
Consult with your research advisor concerning proper methods for packaging and storing extremely
hazardous waste. Research usually involves working with selective types or classes of chemicals. Prepare
brief summaries in this section for handling spent chemicals peculiar to your lab.
Three categories of hazardous waste are generated in room 1. The first is radioactive waste, which will be
disposed of according to the requirements of the office of radiation safety as outlined in the user’s license.
Briefly, short half-life ( 32 P and 35 S) will be stored separately ( 32 P in a shielded container). These will be
collected at regular intervals by employees of the office of radiation safety.
The second category is ethidium bromide used to detect nucleic acids by gel electrophoresis. The
quantities used (except for stock quantities) are on the order of 0.05% in water or gel. Low concentration
liquid waste will be decontaminated by household bleach and disposed of in the drain after
decontamination. Low concentration gel waste will be collected and disposed of on a quarterly basis
(approximately 1 ft 3 per quarter).
We rarely work with E. Coli, but when we do we autoclave (steam sterilize) pipets, tilps, and petri dishes
that contain small amounts of non-patogenic E. Coli bacteria. We autoclave to mininize the smell of this
waste and to minimize possible autibiotic resistance from developing. The nonhazardous, nonregulated
waste material from this operation is deposited directly in the garbage containers in the lab.
Small amounts of phenol, Chloroform, and Isoamyl alcohol waste are generated (estimated amount less
than 500 milliliters per year). This waste is clearly labeled and stored a 55 ml bottle kept in the hood in
room # 1 until it is taken to the waste containment area in room # 20 of Salem Hall for removal.
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