7.19.1 Dry Ethidium Bromide Wastes, Including Gloves and Papers

• All materials contaminated with ethidium bromide (EtBr)—including wipes, paper towels, gloves, and bench pads—must be managed as hazardous chemical waste, regardless of whether they fluoresce under UV light.
• Submit through askEHS for Chemical Waste Collection. Clearly identify the contents as “Ethidium Bromide Contaminated Waste.”

Ethidium Bromide Gels

• EtBr-containing gels (agarose or polyacrylamide) must be collected in a sealed container or bag and labeled as hazardous waste.
• Do not place gels in the regular trash, even if they do not fluoresce under UV light. New York State DEC hazardous waste regulations require that all mutagenic dye waste be handled through EHS.
• Submit via askEHS using the blue Contaminated Waste Label.

Liquids (Aqueous, Non-Flammable)

• Aqueous EtBr solutions must not be poured down the drain. Drain disposal is prohibited under NYSDEC regulations unless explicitly authorized by Cornell EHS.
• Dilute solutions can be treated with activated carbon adsorption (e.g., carbon “tea bags” or BondEX Detoxification Cartridges). The treated filtrate may only be drain-disposed if no fluorescence is observed under UV light.
• All used carbon filters, tea bags, or cartridges must be collected and submitted as hazardous waste through askEHS with a Contaminated Waste Label.

Liquids (Containing Flammable Solvents)

• Any EtBr waste mixed with flammable solvents (e.g., butanol, ethanol, isopropanol) is considered hazardous waste and must be submitted to EHS for pickup. Drain disposal is prohibited.

Concentrated Mutagenic Dyes

• Concentrated EtBr powders, stock solutions, and any unusable dye preparations are regulated as hazardous chemical waste in New York State.
• Dyes absorbed onto filter media for concentration or cleanup must also be submitted through askEHS as hazardous waste with the Contaminated Waste Label.