Final answer:
No, liquid scintillation vials containing radioactive material cannot be discarded into regular trash; they must be disposed of according to special regulations due to their potentially harmful effects on health and the environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
You asked whether liquid scintillation vials containing radioactive material can be discarded into regular trash. The answer to that is false. Radioactive waste, like liquid scintillation vials and other materials contaminated with radioactive substances, need to be handled with great care due to their potential harm to the environment and human health. Disposal is regulated by government agencies to ensure that such waste does not come in contact with the outside environment and is properly contained to mitigate the risk of radioactive exposure, which can alter DNA and increase the risk of cancer and birth defects.