Hazardous Materials - Resources

LINKS FOR RISK GROUP CLASSIFICATION

Risk Group Classification for Infectious Agents

WHO IARC Classification for Carcinogenic Risk- PREAMBLE

WHO IARC Risk Group Classification - sorted by alphabetic order

Agents Classified by the IARC Monographs, Volumes 1–102
Group 1 Carcinogenic to humans
Group 2A Probably carcinogenic to humans
Group 2B Possibly carcinogenic to humans
Group 3 Not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans
Group 4 Probably not carcinogenic to humans

LINKS FOR HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Click on "Chemical Names, Synonyms, and Trade Names" on the side bar for detailed information on chemicals

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

Lists of RCRA Hazardous Wastes

Medical Waste Management Act

LISTS FOR HAZARDOUS/TOXIC WASTE

List/Code of Hazardous Materials

Toxic Wastes and Concentration

Severe Toxic Waste

Chemo Drugs

Explosive Wastes

Compatibility Table

Information provided below are additional guidelines for
1. disposal of ethidium bromide wastes.
2. accumulation and shipment of hazardous wastes.

ETHIDIUM BROMIDE WASTE DISPOSAL

Ethidium bromide is commonly used in molecular biology laboratories. While it is not regulated as hazardous waste, the mutagenic properties of this substance may present a hazard if it is poured down the drain untreated or placed in the trash.

Based on these considerations,the following disposal procedures are recommended for electrophoresis gels and solutions containing ethidium bromide.

ELECTROPHORESIS GELS: Store in biohazard box for pickup and disposal.

ETHIDIUM BROMIDE SOLUTIONS

* Aqueous solutions containing <5ug/ml ethidium bromide can be released to the drain.
* Aqueous solutions containing >5ug/ml ethidium bromide should be filtered or deactivated using charcoal filtration.
* Solutions containing heavy metals, organics, cyanides or sulfides should be disposed as hazardous waste.

ACCUMULATION OF HAZARDOUS WASTES

* Large quantity generators, those that produce more than 1000 kilograms per month have an accumulation time limit of 90 days. This period commences on the first day of waste generation.
* Generators that produce more than 100 kilograms and less than 1000 kilograms per month have 180 days for accumulation.
* Small quantity generators which produce less than 100 kilograms per month have 180 days for removal once the 100 kilogram limit has been met. There is NO accumulation time limit for generators of not more than 100 kilograms per month that are not using the satellite accumulation area and who have not yet accumulated 100 kilograms of hazardous waste.

Note: Stricter requirements may apply if acutely or extremely hazardous waste is generated.

SHIPMENT OF HAZARDOUS WASTES

Certain requirements will be waived if the waste is recycled. Hazardous wastes must be hauled by transporters licensed by the state. Generators may “self-haul” their own waste in volumes less than 5 gallons or 50 pounds without being licensed. Facilities receiving hazardous waste, whether for recycling, treatment or disposal must be licensed by the state.

When disposing of hazardous waste totaling more than 50 lbs or 5 gallons, at a minimum, the following procedures must be followed:

1. Use only transporters that are registered with DTSC and have obtained the appropriate hazardous waste transporter registration number. Use only transfer, treatment, storage and disposal facilities that have an ID number.
2. Use a California Hazardous Waste Manifest DTSC Form 8022A, unless the receiving state requires otherwise. A manifest is the paperwork that accompanies hazardous waste from the point of generation to the point of ultimate treatment, storage, or disposal. Most registered transporters will provide these forms and provide assistance in filling out the necessary information on the manifest forms;
3. Obtain the handwritten signature of the initial transporter and the date of acceptance on the manifest;
4. Keep the generator copy of each manifest for three years or until the signed copy is returned by the designated facility.
5. Generators of “silver only” hazardous wastes generally will not need to use a hazardous waste manifest or registered hazardous waste transporter.

Pharmaceutical Waste Management