Chemical+Storage+&+Disposal

__MSDS information__
//I strongly encourage everyone to try this database before it is needed to get a feel for how it works.//

Because maintenance of MSDS sheets can be problemmatic both in terms of keeping the documents current and locating the appropriate document in an emergency, use this [|searchable link].

A brief note on how this database works: The search scans for a single string of characters entered in the search field. Thus, searches for "sulfuric+acid" and "sulfuric acid" will both fail, even though the chemical is listed in the database. Instead, a search for "sulfuric" will be successful. If a search for a whole word fails to provide useful hits, try using part of the word, for example, "aceto."

__Chemical Storage__
Below is a downloadable Excel file containing all of the lab's chemicals. Data contained in the spreadsheet is the chemical name, manufacturer, original mass, catalog number, date received, and location.

//Inventory under development//

In general, reagents are stored as follows:
 * Inorganic chemicals: South side of lab (201) on shelves
 * Organic solvents: Under fume hood, left side
 * Acids: Under fume hood, right side
 * Dyes and indicators: South side of lab (201) on far right side of shelves
 * Molecular biology reagents: Center of lab (201)
 * Media components: Center of lab (201) to right of molecular biology reagents
 * Bulk chemicals (large bottles): South side of lab (201) on far left end of bench

__Chemical disposal__
This topic can be hotly debated. However, the following guidelines are to be followed as a minimum level of safety and are consistent with the guidelines published online with the UW Chemical Safety Department. If you are unsure what to do, ask for help or consult the University's comprehensive disposal documents:
 * "[|Disposal Procedures by Chemical]": this is an alphabetical list of many chemicals and refers the user to detailed instructions
 * "[|Chemical Disposal Procedures]": Companion to previous link; specific instructions for disposal

__Reagent bottle disposal__
Glass or plastic reagent bottles should be thoroughly rinsed with water (ONLY if the reagent is safe for sewer disposal), clearly labeled with "RINSED," and placed in a waste basket. Custodians will not remove any container that has not been rinsed, or any container on the floor.

__Guidelines for specific reagents used in our lab__

 * Acids: Neutrilize to pH >2
 * Acylamide and agarose gels
 * Bases: Neutralize to pH <10>
 * Chloroform - yellow waste carboy
 * Hexane - white waste carboy
 * Methanol - white waste carboy
 * Methyl tert--butyl ether (MTBE) - white waste carboy