Laboratory Safety FAQs
Sharps and Pipette Tips Handling and Disposal
Probably. Chloroform is considered a hazardous waste in concentrations of 6 ppm or greater. If the level of chloroform is less than 6 ppm, then the material is non-RCRA hazardous waste and should be labeled as such to avoid the perception that it is an unlabeled hazardous waste. Otherwise, the pipette tips must be placed in a sharps container marked "Chemical-Contaminated Sharps," and include the chemical constituents "Chloroform/Phenol" on the designated space. Keep the container closed except when adding waste tips.
No. Ethidium bromide is not a regulated hazardous waste in the State of Idaho, but chloroform is. The cost of hazardous waste disposal is significantly greater than non-hazardous waste. To minimize our disposal costs, please collect the non-hazardous tips in a separate container, and submit a Chemical Waste Collection Request for disposal. Note: EHS manages ethidium bromide waste as if it was a hazardous waste; refer to the Laboratory Guidance Sheet on Ethidium Bromide for more detailed information.
For more information
Drew Pemberton
Laboratory Safety Officer
208-885-6524
apemberton@uidaho.edu
Andrew Eberle
Industrial Hygienist
208-885-5977
aeberle@uidaho.edu