[bionet.molbio.methds-reagnts] Ethidium bromide waste

Brook_Milligan@um.cc.umich.edu (02/19/88)

From: Brook_Milligan@um.cc.umich.edu

Not long ago an article in Analytical Biochem. (162: 453-458, 1987) appeared
recommending the use of sodium nitrite and hypophosphorous acid as a means
of destroying EtBr in solution.  Is this a method that others are using
currently?  What other methods are effective in eliminating the toxicity
of such waste?  What methods are applicable to decontaminating plastic
with EtBr (e.g. trays for staining gels)?  What is useful for large quantities
of waste generated when staining gels?
 
This issue is of some concern due to the toxicity of EtBr and the result
that simply using bleach to destroy it produces more toxic residues.
 
Please respond directly to me and I will summarize the responses to the
network.  Thanks for any suggestions, help, etc. you may offer.
 
Brook Milligan
Department of Biology
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan  48109
(313) 747-0898
Brook_Milligan@um.cc.umich.edu