Question

A technician is asked to clean out the chemical reagent storeroom and discard any reagents not used in the past 5 years. How should the technician proceed?

a. discard chemicals into biohazard containers where the will later be autoclaved
b. pour reagents down the drain, followed by flushing of water
c. consult MSDS sheets for proper disposal
d. pack all chemicals for incineration

Answer 1

The technician should consult the MSDS sheets for proper disposal of chemical reagents that have not been used in the past 5 years, following the specific guidelines for each chemical to ensure safety and compliance.

Step-by-step explanation:

To properly discard chemical reagents not used in the past 5 years, a technician should not pour reagents down the drain or dispose of them in biohazard containers without the proper procedure. Instead, the technician should consult MSDS sheets for proper disposal. These Material Safety Data Sheets provide detailed information on the handling, storage, and disposal of chemicals. They will guide the technician on the correct and safe methods to dispose of each specific chemical, whether it requires special treatment like incineration at high temperatures, autoclaving, or another method. Some chemicals may be hazardous to the environment or human health if not disposed of properly. It is important to follow these guidelines closely to ensure safety and compliance with legal and environmental regulations.