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Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Gram Staining information
Date: April 7, 2012 9:50:53 PM EDT
Author: ACTSNYC**At_Symbol_Here**CS.COM 		Next by Date:
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Gram Staining information
Date: April 8, 2012 9:56:57 AM EDT
Author: "Wong, Dona Lee"

From: Kaspur3 <kaspur3**At_Symbol_Here**YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Gram Staining information
Date: April 8, 2012 1:18:05 AM EDT
Reply-To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>
Message-ID: <CAFtCsLpZdt88Yq5j0N8t-m97VUFWuCNyyRLeHJa8Dm4FtsN7Eg**At_Symbol_Here**mail.gmail.com>


Blanca,

I would highly recommend that when in doubt, do NOT flush anything down the sink.

I can't comment on the stains or human samples, however I can comment on the solvents.  They should never go down a drain=21  Never=21  You should definitely dispose of your materials in the carboy.  

In my 20+ years of experience as a chemist, an excellent rule of thumb is: 

If it is not something that you would drink, do not flush it down the drain.  

Best of luck to you in your studies.  And as Ernest said, please always question when something is vague or you have your doubts.  Some of the greatest minds in history kept at their passions and made some of the world's biggest discoveries , even when the 'experts' told them they were wasting their time.

-Kas

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 7, 2012, at 14:41, Ernest Lippert <ernielippert"**At_Symbol_Here**"TOAST.NET> wrote:

Blanca,
As a student, please question what is told to you, especially when it is vague or doesn't make sense. That is the essence of learning.
Regards,
Ernest Lippert


 
On Sat, Apr 7, 2012 at 2:00 PM, Martinez, Blanca A. <BMARTINEZ4"**At_Symbol_Here**"my.apsu.edu> wrote:
Hello,
As a student finishing my clinical rotation as a medical laboratory scientist, I have received conflicting information regarding the proper disposal of gram stain - Crystal Violet, Gram's Iodine (mordant), Alcohol/Acetone (gen. isopropanol decolourize), and safranin.  Some say proper disposal when staining human specimens is sufficient with water flushing down the drain versus collection into a carboy.  Since I am still a student in the field, I do not question what is told to me however, I would like to know proper daily disposal.  When looking at various MSDS for these chemicals it usually states to follow federal/state/local regulations for empty bottles/excess remainder however, daily disposal seems awfully vague.  Can anyone please shed some light on the matter.

Thank you in advance,
Blanca Martinez


Sent from my iPhone


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