Handling and Disposal
Ethidium bromide is not regulated as hazardous waste at low concentrations, but is treated as hazardous waste by many organizations. Material should be handled according to the material safety data sheet (MSDS). Wastes should always be treated in accordance with federal, state and local guidelines.
The disposal of laboratory ethidium bromide remains a controversial subject. Ethidium bromide can be degraded chemically, or collected and incinerated. It is common for ethidium bromide waste below a mandated concentration to be disposed of normally (e.g., pouring it down a drain). A common practice is to treat ethidium bromide with sodium hypochlorite (bleach) before disposal. According to Lunn and Sansone, Chemical degradation using bleach yields compounds which are mutagenic by the Ames test. Data are lacking on the mutagenic effects of degradation products. Lunn and Sansone describe more effective methods for degradation. EtBr can be removed from solutions with activated charcoal or amberlite ion exchange resin. Various commercial products are available for this use.
Read more about this topic: Ethidium Bromide
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