Phenol, Chloroform, or TRIzol™ Waste Disposal

Special Handling and Safety Precautions:

• Perform all procedures involving phenol or chloroform in a chemical fume hood.
• Use sealed safety cups when centrifuging phenol, chloroform, or TRIzol™, and wait at least 10 minutes before opening the centrifuge to prevent exposure to aerosols.

Phenol, chloroform, or TRIzol™ Disposal Procedure:

• Do not discard any phenol, chloroform, or TRIzol™ down the sink drain.
• Collect pipette tips, eppendorf tubes, gloves, and other materials contaminated with phenol, chloroform, or TRIzol™ in a sealable container separate from other hazardous chemical waste.
• Research Safety Affairs prefers the use of puncture-proof, sealable, and disposable containers to store phenol, chloroform, or TRIzol™ waste. Please note that these containers will not be given back to you (they are for one time use), nor does Research Safety Affairs supply these containers. You may purchase these containers from general stores or they can be found through regular lab supply routes.
• Container must have a hazardous waste label affixed and filled out to identify phenol, chloroform, or TRIzol™ as the hazardous content.
• Container must remain closed when not actively being filled.
• Request hazardous waste pickup when container is 90% full by emailing labsafety@uthsc.edu.