Your Lab is located at a university therefore you may have a use for both the uranyl acetate and the uranyl nitrate, since they are both used as a staining solution for electron microscopy. I would ask the biology department if they can use these chemicals before deciding to dispose of them.
Jim Keating
EHS Manager/radiation Safety Officer
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU] On Behalf Of Strode, Kyle
Sent: Wednesday, August 21, 2013 8:46 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] disposal of uranium compounds
In our most recent lab pack shipment of old chemicals as hazardous waste, our disposal company took everything except two 1 lb jars of uranium nitrate and uranium acetate that have been on the shelf since the 1960s.
I'd be grateful for strategies on the proper disposal of these compounds along with companies that specialize in these types of waste. We're hoping to not break the bank.
If it is too expensive to dispose of them, are we in violation of any regulations if we keep them?
Thanks for your help!
Kyle Strode