Laboratory Personnel - Biological

Resources and trainings are separated into the type of lab or hazards associated with each type of lab. Find the category that best matches your lab and associated hazards.

Resources

Radiological Waste (Hazardous Waste)

Research is often made possible or enhanced by the use of radioisotopes. Some radiological waste generation is inevitable from manipulation of dispensable materials, expired sealed sources and defective X-Ray equipment. Such waste must be handled and disposed of according to state and federal regulations. The EHS Office provides support for collection, storage and disposal of radioactive waste.  Visit the Hazardous Waste Pickup page for more information and or visit the EHS Assistant site to schedule for for your hazardous waste to be removed.

Recycling

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has mandated that USU reuse or recycle materials whenever it can be prudently accomplished. The EH&S Office has recycling programs for the following materials:

  • Flammable liquids (used as a fuel)
  • Fluorescent light tubes (recovery of mercury, glass and aluminum)
  • Batteries (precious metal recovery)
  • Thermometers (mercury recovery)

Mercury Thermometer Replacement Program

Mercury thermometers are the single most common hazardous material emergency response incident on campus. If we could eliminate all mercury thermometers, we could decrease haz mat emergencies by 90 percent. In order to expedite the elimination of nonessential mercury thermometers from campus, we have instituted a trade-in policy. We will provide an environmentally safe thermometer for every unbroken thermometer that we are given.

The mercury in thermometers is recyclable for many other purposes. All mercury thermometers received through the trade-in program are sent off-site to be crushed and the mercury retorted. The glass is also recycled.

Hazardous Waste Storage Guidelines

All waste must be in a compatible container with a tight fitting lid. The EH&S Office can provide five gallon carboys to those that generate at least one gallon per week. Other acceptable containers include empty and cleaned reagent bottles, or plastic containers.
Lids must be tight fitting.

Labels must accurately describe the contents of the container. If multiple chemicals are present they must be listed with their relative percentages (v/v). The most hazardous chemicals should be listed first. If all chemicals are relatively equal in hazard then they should be listed by percentage. The label must be legible and have the EH&S ID #, building and room number, Principle Investigator and telephone number.

The exterior of the containers should be free of contamination.

The waste should be stored in a cabinet that is specifically designated for the class of chemical. If a cabinet is not available, the waste should be placed in a well-ventilated area away from traffic.

Battery Recycling Program

All batteries contain heavy metals. Alkaline batteries contain corrosive liquids. All types and sizes of batteries are accepted into the recycling program. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Alkaline
  • Corrosive liquids and recyclable semi-precious metals
  • Ni-Cd
  • Highly toxic heavy metal
  • Lithium
  • Highly toxic heavy metal
  • Lead Acid
  • Corrosive liquids and toxic heavy metal (we ask that these not be left at the battery recycling stations due to the possibility that they may leak acid. Please call 797-2892 or request a pick up through the Hazardous Pick Up Request page).

Collection Locations:

  • Aggie Village (Recycling Truck)
  • Business Building (West Entrance-Recycling Center)
  • Center for Persons with Disabilities – CPD (NW Corner -Recycling Center)
  • Computer Services (Audio Visual Department)
  • Education Building (SW Entrance-West Wall)
  • Engineering Building (Breezeway near Vending Machines)
  • Facilities (Electronics & Mail Box Area)
  • Housing Warehouse
  • Merrill Library (Main Entrance-North Wall)
  • Natural Resources Building (Atrium by Recycling Barrels)
  • Photo Services (Loading Bay)
  • Recycling Center
  • Taggart Student Center – TSC (Ground Floor-South Entrance)
  • Utah Water Research Lab – UWRL
  • Widtsoe Building (Chemistry Stores)

Biological Waste Guidelines & Procedures

In the development of cures and therapies to diseases, research must involve the disease-causing pathogen. Specimens may come from human, animal or in-situ hosts. Throughout the research process, biological specimens containing pathogenic material must not be released to the environment.

Biological Waste Guidelines & Procedures Information