We dump very little down the drain. Formalin has not been drained dump since 1988. We used to have it hauled away, because the former administration never got into re-cycling the formalin. What we do today, is too de-formalize the formalin, test it and then drain dumped if it passes. We buy the de-formalizer from Surgipath. We had to get this approved the State and we have to keep our records for 5 years. I keep the original and send a copy to the Director of Hazard Waste.
Tom Podawiltz, HT (ASCP) Histology Section Head/Laboratory Safety Officer LRGHealthcare 603-524-3211 ext: 3220 ________________________________________ From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Sherwood, Margaret [msherw...@partners.org] Sent: Friday, March 13, 2009 11:00 AM To: Jessica Piche; histonet Subject: RE: [Histonet] Disposal of Formaldehyde We are discouraged from putting most any chemical down the drain. The MWRA (Massachusetts Water Resources Authority) monitors mercury levels, etc. in Boston Harbor (as well as waterways throughout the state) and will issue steep fines if labs are found to be dumping such waste down the drain. Consequently, our in-house Safety Office and our outside waste management company (Triumverate Environmental) monitor our waste. Alcohols, stains, and fixatives are disposed of as hazardous waste. Peggy -----Original Message----- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Jessica Piche Sent: Friday, March 13, 2009 10:11 AM To: histonet Subject: [Histonet] Disposal of Formaldehyde Hi All, We have a question regarding the disposal of formaldehyde. We were told at our hospital that a consultant said it was okay to dump formaldehyde down the drain. I believe they said it was okay to dump 15 gallons or so a day! We are not to fond of this idea and would like to know what everyone else is doing. How is everyone disposing of their formaldehyde? We would be especially interested in what other hospitals in CT are doing. Thanks, Jessica Piche-Grocki, HT(ASCP) _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet The information in this e-mail is intended only for the person to whom it is addressed. If you believe this e-mail was sent to you in error and the e-mail contains patient information, please contact the Partners Compliance HelpLine at http://www.partners.org/complianceline . If the e-mail was sent to you in error but does not contain patient information, please contact the sender and properly dispose of the e-mail. _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet THIS MESSAGE IS CONFIDENTIAL. This e-mail message and any attachments are proprietary and confidential information intended only for the use of the recipient(s) named above. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not print,distribute, or copy this message or any attachments. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender by return e-mail and delete this message and any attachments from your computer. Any views or opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of LRGHealthcare. _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet