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. These containers are one-time-use only and will not be given back to you. Research Safety Affairs does not supply these containers; they may be purchased from general stores or 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.