Students may use a selection of the provided equipment but it will be maintained by technicians.
Hazardous Material Definitions
- Ignitable- Contains materials that are easily combustible or flammable
- Corrosive includes acids and bases or mixtures having a pH less than or equal to 2 or greater than or equal to 12.5, and materials that burn the skin or dissolve metals.
- Reactive- Includes materials that are unstable or undergo rapid or violent chemical reaction when exposed to air, water or other material, generate toxic gases or vapors when mixed with water or when exposed to pH conditions between 2 and 12.5 (as in the case with cyanide or sulfide containing materials), forms potentially explosive mixtures with water, are capable of detonation or explosive reaction when heated or subjected to shock.
- Toxic- Includes heavy metal compounds such as: arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, silver, selenium, and more.
- Pathogenic, Carcinogenic, Infectious, and Etiologic agents- Includes any material that directly cause health problems such as, "a viable microorganism, or its toxin, which causes or may cause disease in humans or animals". Infectious waste includes blood borne pathogens.
- Sharps- Defined as any non-contaminated sharp object that can penetrate the skin, including, but not limited to: broken capillary tubes and glass pipettes, blades from power tools, glass microscope slides and cover plates, and hypodermic and non- hypodermic needles.
All information is not included in this handbook. To access more detailed information about different chemicals that may be used at the LMU-DVTC you can access the MSDS online or in the buildings at different designated areas.
Hazardous Waste Disposal
Laboratory waste generated by student learning activities will be disposed in appropriate waste bins once labs are completed and properly cleaned. Expired chemicals will be disposed of properly by trained personnel that are familiar with safety procedures including chemicals both hazardous and non-hazardous.
Storage
Chemicals and other laboratory materials being stored in any building on the DVTC site will be routinely inspected for proper storage and inventory control. Chemicals should be individually assessed to ensure safe storage of multiple items. Proper storage information can be obtained from the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) provided in each building. MSDS information can also be located online however, hard copies are available due to the uncertainty of internet access at all times.