Overview
HPLC Example
- Durable container labeling
- Waste container labeling
- Contrast to media flasks
Let’s circle back to the HPLC example that we used in the chemical safety portion of the training. A HPLC machine will circulate a solvent through the machine. The solvent is called a “mobile phase” because it separates specific materials from a mixture so that they can be detected and quantified. The solvent feed stock or mobile phase is not waste, but the solvent exiting the machine is a waste material. Recall that it was stated that the durable containers of the stock mobile phase solvent (top) would need to be labeled with:
- Proper Chemical Name or Product Identifier, or
- Distinguishing Chemical Formula (not empirical formula), or
- Acronym or short-hand, if cross-referenced
But, as we just stated the labeling for the durable container holding the mobile phase feed stock would not be acceptable for the waste container. Machine associated collection containers also need labeling, and the labeling must be consistent with that required for any other waste container:
- Words to indicate that the material is no longer usable for its intended purpose (e.g., used, waste, etc.), and
- Name of the chemicals constituents.
Let’s contrast that to a vacuum system used with biological agents. In such a system there is a disinfectant trap between the vacuum pump and the material to be suctioned. The intent of the trap is to capture infectious agents before they reach the vacuum pump and are dispersed into the air via the exhaust and entrained in the vacuum pump. In this case, the flask holding the disinfectant is not a waste until such time as it is ineffective as a disinfectant. So, the disinfection flask should be labeled as a durable container, not a waste container. When it is no longer an effective disinfectant, the contents of the flask should be transferred to a waste container and properly labeled and managed.