The handling and disposal of chemicals in testing labs should be handled in a strict manner to avoid the occurrence of accidents by following the protocols which include wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE) and proper ventilation to minimise the chances of exposure. The abilities to master these practices are the guarantee to adhere to such regulations as the FSSAI or NABL and prevent harm to the lab staff and the environment.
Fundamentals of Chemical Handling
The proper management of chemicals is achieved by proper preparation and understanding of hazards. Consult Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) before initiating any procedure containing information on toxicity, exposure limits and routes of exposure e.g. inhalation or skin contact. One must always put on the correct PPE such as gloves that are resistant to certain chemicals, safety goggles, and lab coats as a precaution against direct contact. In testing environments such as food processing or pharmaceutical laboratories, which use volatile substances, utilize the use of fume hoods to enclose the vapors and have at least 100 feet per minute face velocities. It is advisable not to ingest chemical compounds by way of tasting, smelling, or pipetting them into the mouth, and to ensure that people do not eat or drink in labs. Carefully put down glassware to avoid dropping, and keep chemicals in incompatible pairs such as acids and bases, flammables and oxidizers, so that they do not react. An example is to have containers that are already closed and labeled with name of the substance used, its concentration, and date it was received, but they should not be stored in areas where they come in direct contact with heat or direct sunlight. These measures reduce direct hazards as well as promote long-term efficiency of the lab by avoiding cross-contamination of the working processes.
Safe Disposal Techniques
Disposition is a serious step, which requires equal care to preclude the occurrence of environmental degradation or breach of regulations. Consider all chemical waste as hazardous until proved to be non-hazardous and never pour any unknown down the drain which may cause poison release or even explosions. Break down wastes into groups such as organic solvents, acids or heavy metals and collect them in specific containers. In laboratories that perform water or food testing, where media cultures and reagents are common, neutralize acid or base and then dispose of the neutralized sample or incinerate or specialized treatment. Such equipment as those provided by the suppliers such as RS Cube Projects Pvt Ltd help in safe storage and handling and can meet these disposal requirements. Periodically check waste streams to confirm that they are in place, and educate staff on how to label waste in order to make it easy to recycle or have professional disposal services. In the case of biohazards or radioactive substances, supplementary rules with regard to autoclaving or firm confinement are to be followed.
Responding to Spills and Emergencies
Spills can be effectively dealt with in time avoiding any major incident. First, notify the surrounding staff and evacuate in case of a spillage of highly toxic or volatile material. Seal the spill with absorbent material such as spill kits without coming into direct contact with it and neutralize where safe such as using sodium bicarbonate with acid. Wipe down the residues using the right solvents and one should dispose of the contaminated items as a hazardous waste. Always rinse the affected skin or the eyes with water for at least 15 minutes and consult the doctor. Keep emergency equipment such as eyewash stations and fire extinguishers in places where they may be easily accessed and have regular practice to ensure these processes are well practiced. With the combination of these strategies, labs will be able to develop a safety culture that stresses on prevention rather than responding.