Chemical Waste Disposal Programs

Radioactive Waste

Radioactive Wastes are defined as wastes containing or contaminated with radioactive materials (RAM) i.e. materials labeled with H-3, C-14, S-35, P-32, I-125 or any other radioisotope. Note: Projects that generate long-lived waste (>100 days) must have funding provided for waste disposal. Examples include:

  • Aqueous liquid with RAM
  • Liquid scintillation counting fluids in vials (LSVs)
  • Dry, solid wastes, including sharps (pipettes, needles, broken glass, etc.)
  • Mixed, i.e. RAM and hazardous chemical(s)
  • Animal carcasses and tissues with RAM, including excreta
  • RAM wastes contaminated with infectious agents
Packaging Guidelines
If Discarding: Then:
Aqueous liquids with RAM If solution contains no other hazardous wastes, separate by isotope and accumulate in plastic containers within hood. Maintain inventory of isotope activity and date.
LSV's - (flammable solvent based cocktail)
  1. Place no more than 200 LSV's into a PE bag and tie closed.
  2. Place this bag into a 2nd PE bag; tie closed.
  3. Label the bag with "LSV," authorized user's name, radioisotope and date.
  4. Dispose as hazardous waste.
LSV's - (Non-flammable and non-hazardous based cocktail)
  1. H-3, C-14 containing vials can be thrown into the normal lab trash as is.
  2. All other radioisotopes must be separately bagged in PE as told in 1-3 or emptied into separate plastic container.
  3. Label container with isotope activity and date.
Dry, solid RAM wastes
  1. Separate waste by isotope, e.g., Only P-32 or S-35. C-14 and H-3 may be combined.
  2. Place wastes in PE bag not greater than 10 gal in size tie closed.
  3. Place first bag into second bag and tie closed.
  4. Label each bag with "dry/solid", authorized user's name, radioisotope, mCi quantity and date.
  5. Sharps must be placed in a non-penetrable container.
Animal carcass tissues and contaminated bedding
  1. Place animals containing different radioisotopes into separate PE bags.
  2. Label "animal name" (identity), authorized user's name, radio isotopes, mCi/g of animal, number and the date.
  3. Store in freezer.
Biohazardous-contaminated
  1. Inactive infectious agent in accordance with Biohazardous Waste.
  2. Package in accordance with appropriate category listed above or call for information.
Disposal Information
Aqueous liquids with RAM Notify radiation office: 978-934-3372
All other RAM wastes Notify radiation office: 978-934-3372