Waste Chemical Disposal

1. In research laboratories, where many unusual chemicals are used, the responsibility for disposal of unused reagents and waste reaction products is vested directly with the researcher and his faculty advisor because, in many cases, it is only the researcher who knows how to handle the materials safely.

2. Water-Soluble Wastes: In general, small quantities of water-soluble wastes which do not hydrolyze to form volatile, toxic, or malodorous materials may be flushed down the drain with copious quantities of water.

3. Flammable Liquid Wastes: Flammable liquids not miscible with water must not be poured into sinks or other sewer drains, but should be placed in glass containers that are stored in a ventilated storage cabinet or an operating fume hood. A waste disposal tag (available from the Stock Room) should be attached to the container with a list of the container's contents. Properly tagged waste containers should be periodically removed. A detailed description of the departmental hazardous waste disposal program is available elsewhere.

4. In laboratories that generate large volumes of water-insoluble waste solvents (exceeding 10-20 gallons per week), waste solvents should be stored in 5 gallon metal containers, rather than in 1 gallon glass containers, prior to disposal.

5. Before discarding, all empty chemical containers must be thoroughly rinsed. Organic reagent containers should be rinsed first with acetone and then with water.

6. Mercury

a. All work involving metallic mercury should be performed over trays or pans with turned-up edges to confine any mercury spillage.

b. Mercury spills must be carefully cleaned with a trapped vacuuming device. For large mercury spills, an appropriate vacuuming device is available from the research stockroom (Room 014).

c. Contaminated mercury should be stored in tagged, stoppered bottles in operating fume hoods until a sufficient quantity has been accumulated, at which time it will be collected upon request, by Business Office personnel (845-3335).

Safety Regulations