Self-Inspection Topic for Quarter 4, 2008
Disposal of Laboratory Generated Waste
The special topic for Quarter 4 is Disposal of Laboratory Generated Waste 
, where we will review definitions and proper disposal of laboratory waste. Over the past few months all School of Medicine laboratories have been visited by Santa Clara County for Medical Waste and many for Hazardous Materials and Waste. During the inspections new items relating to waste generated by laboratories have been raised.
Please take this opportunity to implement the new items and review disposal practices. Self-Inspections forms for this quarter need to be completed by December 31, 2008.
- Definition, Types, Disposal of Hazardous Waste
- Spill Reporting and Response – Review procedure on poster
- Qiagen Kits and “Non-Hazardous” Buffers - Some of the components contain materials that are hazardous by definition; make sure that the wastes are disposed of properly. "BUFFERS" are not always non-hazardous!
- Autoclave Tape contains lead and should not be disposed of in the trash. Are you managing your used tape properly?
- Medical Waste: Red Biohazard Bag Use and Secondary Containment
- Chemical Safety Trainiing Module – Review information and responsibilities, if needed.
- Review 2008 Regulatory Inspections Findings
DEFINITION, TYPES AND DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS WASTE
The framework for hazardous waste regulation was established in 1976 by the Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. This Act introduced the concept that the generator of a waste is responsible for proper waste management from “cradle-to-grave” (i.e., from lab to disposal site).
- Waste is defined as a material that has no intended use or reuse. Hazardous waste is defined as a waste, or a combination of wastes, which because of its quantity, concentration, or physical or chemical characteristics may pose a substantial present or potential threat to human health or the environment when improperly treated, stored, disposed of, transported, or otherwise managed.
- Labs and individual generators of waste are responsible for the correct identification, minimization, containment and disposal of hazardous waste.
- Radioactive, Chemical and Biological wastes are three types of hazardous waste generated in School of Medicine laboratories. Use the Radioactive-Chemical-Biological Hierarchy, the List of Non-Hazardous Chemical Waste and the Empty Container Decision Tree to determine whether a material is considered a hazardous chemical waste. Contact EHS if your waste is MIXED for information on proper disposal.
If you see it or spill it, make sure you clean it up and report/record it! Review the spill reporting and response section on the Laboratory Chemical Waste Guidelines poster.
NEW ITEMS: Kits and Autoclave Tape
- Qiagen Kits and “Non-hazardous” Buffers –"BUFFERS" are not always non-hazardous; make sure that the waste is disposed of properly!
- Check the product information and MSDS for kit components; some of the components contain materials that are hazardous by definition. For example:
- Buffer RPE in the QIAGEN RNeasy Mini Kit requires the addition of 4 volumes of ethanol; the working solution is a flammable liquid containing ~80% ethanol.
- Buffer PE in the QIA Prep 8 Miniprep is also a flammable liquid containing ~80% ethanol.
- Collect materials and manage as a hazardous waste.
- Let us know about some of the other examples in your laboratory and we will share this information with other researchers.
- Transfer Buffer for Western Blots may contain alcohol concentrations that exceed sewer disposal limits (1,000 ppm or 0.1% alcohol). Check the formulation used in your lab and collect and manage appropriately.
- Autoclave Tape used in many laboratories may contain levels of lead that exceed the hazardous waste limit for trash disposal. The University is in the process of testing various brands commonly used in labs (3M, EPropper, FisherBrand) including tape purchased through Biostores or CWA. We will forward updates but in the interim, please COLLECT used pieces of autoclave tape and dispose of as HAZARDOUS WASTE.
MEDICAL WASTE: Red Biohazard Bag Use and Secondary Containment
The misuse of red biohazard bags (red bags) was observed in multiple facilities during this year’s Medical Waste Inspection. The red bags should only be used for disposal of biohazardous waste and not chemical or radioactive materials. They are also not to be used as covers for microscopes, equipment or transporting animal cages.
Red bags need to be in a hard-sided, closed secondary containment with a lid and labeled with the words “Biohazardous Waste” or with the international biohazard symbol and the word “BIOHAZARD” on the lid and on the sides so as to be visible from any lateral direction.
- Guidelines for the Transportation of Animals on Stanford Campus or to the Stanford Campus
- Animal Husbandry: Movement of Animals
- Animal Husbandry: Sanitation: b. Animal Carcass and Waste disposal
- Managing Medical Waste in a Laboratory
- Medical Waste in the School of Medicine
REVIEW REGULATORY INSPECTION FINDINGS
The County is planning to re-inspect or spot check areas where they have noted hazardous materials and waste deficiencies during the 2008 inspections. If your department or PI has received a communication from the University Environmental Health and Safety Department with a list of deficiencies noted by Santa Clara County during regulatory inspections, check that items have been corrected and similar conditions are not present at this time.
ADDITIONAL REFERENCES
- Biosafety Information on the University EHS Website
- Biosafety on the Health and Safety Programs Website
- Biohazardous Waste Disposal Guidelines
- Medical Waste Management Act
- Chemical Waste Program FAQs
- Hazardous Chemical Waste Management Reference Guide for Laboratories
- Standard Hazardous Chemical Waste Pickup
- Online Chemical Waste Tag
- Empty Container Decision Tree
- Chemical Waste at Stanford – Includes Pollution Prevention/Waste Minimization - Learn ways of reducing chemical wastes and their costs in the lab by modifying procedures for inventory, purchasing, accumulation and solvent recycling.
- Radioactive Waste Management Procedures and Guidelines
- Excerpts from Chemical Safety Training Moduule from STARS
Updated
12/1/08 @ 08:20 |
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