Laboratory Waste Management Research Articles

Assessment of Teachers’ Knowledge and Practices on Laboratory Waste Disposal

In alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030 (UN SDGs 2030), which emphasise the importance of ensuring education inclusivity and quality for all, this study investigated the quality of education in the context of science teachers’ knowledge and practice related to laboratory waste disposal. Understanding the critical role that science teachers have in fostering a safe and sustainable learning environment, the research focused on the gap between the awareness and application of proper laboratory waste management techniques. Filling this gap is imperative not only for the well-being of the school community but also for the contribution to the broader goals of sustainable development outlined in the UN SDGs 2030. Consequently, this study assessed teachers’ knowledge and practice in handling laboratory waste disposal. As a qualitative research, this study used a phenomenological design with semi-structured interviews using open-ended questions to gather data from 20 public science teachers from Santa Rosa City and Cabuyao City in Laguna Province as respondents. Regarding teachers’ knowledge, three themes emerged, namely: (1) recycling techniques, (2) waste segregation and disposal, as well as (3) treatment of laboratory waste. However, the majority of science teachers admit that they have limited knowledge of how laboratory waste should be disposed of. They tended to apply basic knowledge of waste management that they already knew, despite being aware that laboratory waste should be treated differently from solid waste generated by our offices at schools. Teacher’s practice on laboratory waste disposal involved three steps, including identification, segregation of laboratory waste, and laboratory waste management disposal. Unfortunately, all were found to be inadequate to maintain proper laboratory waste disposal at schools. Hence, this study highlights the need to enhance awareness and facilitate training on laboratory waste disposal among teachers in public schools. Specific training and education on laboratory waste management, treatment, and disposal are essential for teachers in public schools who work in laboratory settings. Regular monitoring and evaluations of teachers’ laboratory waste disposal practices should also be implemented to ensure that they adhere to the proper procedures

Evaluation of Laboratory Waste Management at Medan State Polytechnic

The notion of a sustainable campus (green campus) may be used to execute higher education's strategic role in contributing to sustainable development. The Strategic Plan of Medan State Polytechnic, at Strategic Objective Point 7 concerning Improving the Quality of Management of Tridharma Implementation, states that one of Medan State Polytechnic's strategic efforts is to implement sustainable development in the form of a green campus. The scoring evaluation based on categories and waste indicators (WS) based on the UI GreenMetric Guideline World University Rankings 2023 received 75 points out of a possible 1800 points, or 4.3%. Furthermore, efforts are made to improve the waste category's scoring by constructing stabilization ponds comprised of anaerobic ponds, facultative ponds, and maturation ponds for wastewater generated from cleaning laboratory equipment, while the remaining concrete material is used as a mixture of Cement Treated Base (CTB).

GESTÃO DE RESÍDUOS NOS LABORATÓRIOS DA UNIVERSIDADE DE ÉVORA (2007-2021)

WASTE MANAGEMENT IN THE LABORATORIES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ÉVORA (2007-2021). Waste generated in university laboratories is an important component of university waste management, especially regarding their hazardousness and, also, the cost involved in their forwarding. To make a good management of this waste, it is essential to know the amount generated and the composition. However, this type of information remains scarce. In this work, waste from the laboratories of the University of Évora (Portugal) was surveyed from 2007 to 2021, using existing records. In the 15 years under analysis, the laboratories of the University of Évora generated about 61 tonnes of waste, 88% of which were hazardous and 66% were in the liquid state. In addition, only 3% of this waste was subjected to recovery operations. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to a double increase in hospital waste generated and to a substantially decreased of hazardous liquid waste from the laboratory activity, especially in the first year of the pandemic. In 2021, the second year of the pandemic, there was a “return to normality”, reaching the highest value of waste generated in the laboratories, of 8.6 tonnes. Finally, possible solutions for improving laboratory waste management were also discussed.

Pengetahuan, Sikap, dan Perilaku Terhadap Pengelolaan Limbah Bahan Kimia di Laboratorium Pada Siswa SMK

The existence of activities in the laboratory becomes important for students to conduct experiments or research, and thus, improve their skills and abilities. However, the use of chemical and biological materials in the laboratory will certainly produce chemical and biological waste. The waste generated is potentially hazardous to health and can pollute or damage the environment either directly or indirectly. It is undeniable that laboratory activities can produce various types of waste, such as liquid and solid waste. This study aims to find out what is related to waste management in a private vocational high schools in the city of Bogor. The results showed that there was no relationship between the variables of gender (p value 1.000), training (p value 0.354), knowledge (p value 1.000) and attitudes (p value 0.472) of respondents to the behavior of laboratory waste management. In conclusion, there is no correlation between waste management practices in schools and knowledge, attitudes, student gender, or training experience. To increase student knowledge and awareness about chemical waste laboratories, however, participation in chemical waste laboratory management training is required of students.

Heavy Metals Content in Laboratory Wastewater: A Case Study of Selected Units of Bayero University, Kano-Nigeria.

Heavy metals are well-known environmental pollutants due to their toxicity, persistence in the environment and bio-accumulative in nature. They contribute immensely in the environmental pollution and their sources include weathering of metal bearing rocks, mining, industrial and agricultural activities. Laboratory is a major point of research activities. This study is aimed at accessing the level of heavy metals in some laboratories wastewater in Bayero University, Kano. Four different laboratories where selected (Biochemistry, Chemistry, Microbiology and Central Laboratory complex) from Bayero University Old Campus. The wastewater samples were collected four times with one week interval and some heavy metals were determined using microwave plasma atomic emission spectrometry (MP-AES). The average mean concentrations of Cd, Cr, Co, Mn, Ni and Pb in each laboratory were compared with WHO standard in wastewater. The Results obtained from Biochemistry Laboratory for Cd, Cr, Co, Mn, Ni and Pb are 0.0067±0.0001, 0.0000±0.0000, 0.000±0.0000, 0.010±0.001, 0.027±0.0001 and 0.106±0.0001 mg/L respectively. Similarly Central laboratory with 0.07±0.001, 0.47±0.002, 0.00±0.00, 0.31±0.003, 0.10±0.002 and 0.20±0.001 mg/L. While Microbiology Laboratory with 0.00±0.00, 0.00±0.00, 0.00±0.00, 0.063±0.001, 0.027±0.001 and 0.093±0.0001 mg/L respectively. And Chemistry laboratory with 0.000±0.00, 0.607±0.0001, 0.053±0.002, 2.183±0.001, 0.127±0.0001 and 0.263±0.0002 respectively. Among all the laboratories, chemistry laboratory was found to have higher average mean concentrations of Mn, Ni and Pb and are above WHO Standard. However some heavy metals like Cr and Cd were found to be lower compared to WHO Standard. Therefore the wastewater studied contained some heavy metals which contribute to the environmental pollution and measures should be taken by the management concerned to ensure good laboratory waste management.

Queer Ecologies of Death in the Lab: Rethinking Waste, Decomposition and Death through a Queerfeminist Lens

ABSTRACT In this article I explore human and transgenic fruit fly relations in the laboratory and in relation to everyday practices of waste management. I rely on ethnographic material collected from one year of participatory observation in an Alzheimer’s laboratory in Sweden, in which scientists work with Drosophila Melanogaster, commonly known as fruit flies. Grounding myself within new materialism, posthuman theories and queer theories, I explore queer ecologies of death in the lab as a material-discursive phenomenon. I discuss how heteronormative and humanistic ideologies about ‘purity’ and ‘pure Nature’ shape the space of the laboratory and regulate waste management practices. However, as I present, the materiality of the living and dead matter problematises such fantasies of purity and pre-described categories of laboratory waste. Flies’ bodies, living and nonliving, cross the boundaries between inside and outside, natural and unnatural/artificial, safe and hazardous waste, and life and death, creating queer ecologies of death. Queer ecologies of death suggest new modes of thinking about agency, (non)human and (non)living within the context of laboratory waste management that go beyond the limits of human exceptionalism and modernist hierarchical binary logic that is essential to and constitutive of the notion of purity and the imaginary of a pure nature out there.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of ‘teaching laboratory’ technicians towards laboratory safety and waste management: a pilot interventional study

A quasi-experimental study was performed on 20 technicians working in the Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Egypt. The knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of laboratory technicians was measured before and two months after enrolling them in an intervention programme about laboratory best practice procedures. The programme addressed laboratory safety and medical waste management. The assessment was performed using a validated Arabic self-administered questionnaire. Pre- and post-intervention scores were compared using non-parametric tests. There are significant increases in the scores of KAP after implementation of the training programme.

Optogenetic Random Mutagenesis Using Histone-miniSOG in C. elegans.

Forward genetic screening in model organisms is the workhorse to discover functionally important genes and pathways in many biological processes. In most mutagenesis-based screens, researchers have relied on the use of toxic chemicals, carcinogens, or irradiation, which requires designated equipment, safety setup, and/or disposal of hazardous materials. We have developed a simple approach to induce heritable mutations in C. elegans using germline-expressed histone-miniSOG, a light-inducible potent generator of reactive oxygen species. This mutagenesis method is free of toxic chemicals and requires minimal laboratory safety and waste management. The induced DNA modifications include single-nucleotide changes and small deletions, and complement those caused by classical chemical mutagenesis. This methodology can also be used to induce integration of extrachromosomal transgenes. Here, we provide the details of the LED setup and protocols for standard mutagenesis and transgene integration.

POTENCIALIDADES DO EXTRATO PIROLENHOSO: PRÁTICAS DE CARACTERIZAÇÃO

The use of fossil primary energy sources has remained stable in the world with no prospect of change scenarios. Charcoal is one of these sources. The burning of wood for obtaining its coal emits into the atmosphere components that, once obtained through simple processes, enable significant commercial exploitation with great potential for expanding its use. The objective of this study was to characterize the early practices pirolenhoso extract by fractional distillation in Multidisciplinary Laboratory Waste Management IFRJ campus in Duque de Caxias. For the tests sampled a mass of 300g of crude extract and calculated your income after the distillation process. Was quantified mass tar (heavy phase), pirolenhoso fluid (lighter phase with all its composites) and loss in the process. Stoichiometric comparisons showed, though with little variability in the results, an average trend yield of approximately 64% of the samples with pirolenhoso liquid. 30% of distilled material was characterized as tar. Regarding losses in the process, the perceived average was 6% for the five samples.

Recommendations for waste management

Laboratory waste management must ensure the safety of patients and staff, limiting the environmental impacts and control waste disposal budget. Sorting of waste must be carried out at the source. The packaging must be adapted, allowing easy identification of specific disposal routes. With regard to wastes for human or animal health care and/or related research (DASRI), packages must comply with the regulations, standards and ADR if necessary. Storage provisions differ according to the amount of DASRI produced. Waste collection is carried out directly on the place of activity by a certified service provider. Non pre-treated DASRI is incinerated in specific approved plants for a T ° > 1,200 °C. Special provisions also exist for chemical waste and radioactive waste, the latter being regulated by ANDRA.

Preliminary evaluation of laboratory practices in Cebu Doctors’ University, Philippines

A categorical questionnaire regarding the chemical hazards and good laboratory practices observed in eighteen laboratories in Cebu Doctors’ University (CDU) was administered to laboratory technicians. This was employed primarily assessing existing laboratory scheme in CDU and evaluates the success of past seminars on good laboratory practices (GLPs) and waste management among laboratory technicians. On mean percentile, the following areas were properly observed: laboratory work practices (71%); housekeeping (68%); hazard communication (62.6%); chemical storage (82%); flammable liquids storage and handling (79%); waste handling (68%); means of emergency exits (76%); and safety equipment (68%). However, special concerns were evaluated in the following areas: personal protective equipment (PPE) (52%) > labeling and posting (49%) > compressed gas cylinders (30%). Existing areas with lesser response are presently addressed and further monitoring will be employed incorporating students and faculty. Note however that this is an initial survey to monitor the laboratories consequently a more extensive data will be presented as soon as further evaluations are carried.

Clinical laboratory waste management in Shiraz, Iran

Clinical laboratories are significant generators of infectious waste, including microbiological materials, contaminated sharps, and pathologic wastes such as blood specimens and blood products. Most waste produced in laboratories can be disposed of in the general solid waste stream. However, improper management of infectious waste, including mixing general wastes with infectious wastes and improper handling or storage, could lead to disease transmission. The aim of this study was to assess waste management processes used at clinical laboratories in Shiraz, Iran. One hundred and nine clinical laboratories participated In this cross sectional study, Data collection was by questionnaire and direct observation. Of the total amount of waste generated, 52% (by weight) was noninfectious domestic waste, 43% was non-sharps infectious waste and 5% consisted of sharps. There was no significant relationship between laboratory staff or manager education and the score for quality of waste collection and disposal at clinical laboratories. Improvements in infectious waste management processes should involve clearer, more uniformly accepted definitions of infectious waste and increased staff training.

Development of a laboratory waste management program in compliance with the accreditation process

Development of a laboratory waste management program in compliance with the accreditation process

Implantação de Programas de Gerenciamento de Resíduos Químicos Laboratoriais em universidades: análise crítica e recomendações

Programas de Gerenciamento de Resíduos Químicos Laboratoriais vêm sendo implantados em várias universidades do país e do mundo, em reconhecimento à necessidade premente de alterar a realidade de descaso para com o ambiente, associado à responsabilidade objetiva do gerador e, principalmente, à consciência de sustentabilidade, em consonância com a Agenda 21. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho relata essa problemática de forma a reunir uma série de informações por meio de revisão da literatura recente, desenvolvendo uma análise crítica e desmistificando alguns (pré) conceitos através de um questionário aplicado aos pesquisadores atuantes nesta área de conhecimento. Esse estudo permitiu, por fim, a proposição de regras básicas a serem adotadas na implementação de um programa de gerenciamento de resíduos laboratoriais.

Laboratory waste management: evaluation of the disposal procedures routinely adopted by three Brazilian public institutions

Academic, analytical and research laboratories generate small amounts of a large variety of wastes which makes their management difficult. Proper disposal procedures must to be adopted to fulfill good laboratory practices and meet legal guidelines. A correct disposal procedure should include knowledge of the waste management steps and toxicological data for each of the substances handled, as well as adequate waste management training. Therefore, waste management should be mandatory in routine institutional criteria and be based on administrative decisions, budget compatibility and a consistent educational program.

Gerenciamento de resíduos laboratoriais: recuperação de elementos e preparo para descarte final

This work shows some laboratory waste management developed in order to recover some elements or to prepare the waste for a correct final disposal. The 25 elements chosen cover basically all chemical behaviors found for the metals in the Periodic Table. The treatments adopted were based on the classical behavior in aqueous solution (wet chemistry) but an important condition for a full success was the previous knowledge of the qualitative composition of the wastes treated. Some general trends were found: the final liquid waste was always saline and normally presented a higher volume than the original waste; most original wastes were acid in nature; steps such as solid-liquid separation, washing, evaporating and calcining were currently performed. This work was also a very good experience in chemistry in solution for students and showed them the need of treating wastes for a better environment.

O programa de gerenciamento dos resíduos laboratoriais do Depto de Química da UFPR

The Laboratory Waste Management Program of the Chemistry Department of UFPR started on 1997 and was developed to meet the requirements of co-processing in cement kiln and those of the respective regulation. The in-lab procedures for waste collection and treatment were devised taking into account their cost, simplicity and wide range of application to the various types of residues generated. The program works with a five step annual journey : 1) Waste collection and treatment, 2) Bulk Storage, 3) Licensing (for transportation and co-processing), 4) Transportation and 5) Co-processing.

Pollution prevention and waste minimization in laboratories

Preface Introduction and Overview Why Pollution Prevention? K.L. Leonard A Survey of Laboratory Waste Management and Minimization Practices, K.L. Leonard and P.A. Reinhardt Investigating Waste Minimization Possibilities, C. Klein-Banai The Law on Waste Minimization in Laboratories, J.L. Hernandez, Esq. Effecting Pollution Prevention and Waste Minimization Planning and Development of a Model Waste Minimization Program, R. Charbonneau Institutional Policy, Commitment, and Support, F.M. Thompson Overcoming Impediments to Waste Minimization, P.A. Reinhardt Approaches by Media, Source, and Waste Type Management of Laboratory Air Emissions, R. Stuart and M. Archer Management of Laboratory Effluents to the Sanitary Sewer, L. Wundrock and J. Christensen Pollution Prevention in Clinical Laboratories, R.J. Vetter, J.F. O'Brien, and G.D. Smith Minimization of Waste Generation in Medical Laboratories, J.G. Gordon and G.A. Denys Minimization of Low-Level Radioactive Wastes from Laboratories, P.C. Ashbrook, J. Brandon, and H. Mandel What Individual Laboratories Can Do The Microscale Chemical Laboratory, R.M. Pike, Z. Szafran, and M.M. Singh At the Lab Bench: Finding the Right Balance in Source Separation, P.A. Reinhardt Solvent Recycling by Spinning Band Distillation: Theory, Equipment, and Limitations, J.A. Mangravite and R.R. Roark, Jr. Chemical Treatment Methods to Minimize Waste, M-A. Armour What Organizations Can Do Recruiting Vendors To Achieve Waste Minimization and Pollution Prevention, K.L. Leonard Surplus Chemical Exchange: Successes and Potential, J. Christensen Cost Savings and Volume Reduction By Commingling Wastes, P.C. Ashbrook Case Studies and Applications Applications for Waste Solvent Recovery Using Spinning Band Distillation, J. A. Mangravite, R.R. Roark, Jr., and P. VanTriest The Implementation of Waste Minimization Strategies in a Biotechnology Research and Development Laboratory, R.A. Senn Waste Minimization and Management at 3M Research and Development Laboratories, L.J. Tanner Implementation of Waste Minimization Strategies, B.D. Backus Conclusion Thoughts on the Future of Pollution Prevention in the Laboratory, P.C. Ashbrook Appendices Guidance to Hazardous Waste Generators on the Elements of a Waste Minimization Program, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Notice and Interim Final Guidance National Survey of Laboratory Chemical Disposal and Waste Minimization: Survey Design, Methods, and Analysis State and Local Clearinghouses for Pollution Prevention and Waste Minimization Resources and Information Glossary Index

Laboratory waste management: a guidebook

Laboratory waste management: a guidebook

Practical Approaches to Laboratory Waste Management

Practical Approaches to Laboratory Waste Management