All,

The NIH Drain Disposal guide came across my email recently, and it has left us with a question specifically about kanamycin. https://nems.nih.gov/Documents/NIH_Drain_Discharge_Guide.pdf

One of our researchers uses kanamycin in their antibiotic resistance studies. The total amount used over 10 weeks is about 100mg and would never exceed 200mg. They are working with microgram quantities on a weekly basis.

The NIH Drain Disposal guide suggests kanamycin should be treated as hazardous waste (collected and sent to disposal) Is anyone familiar with alternative disposal for kanamycin? Our concern is the very small amount of kanamycin in the large amount of water and bleach would have a drastic effect on our waste stream.

Is bleach sufficient to render the kanamycin appropriate for drain disposal? I have also seen suggestions that kanamycin be treated with acid to render it inactive and thus okay for drain disposal; but then wonder would neutralizing the acid (to make that appropriate for drain disposal) nullify the acid inactivation?

We do have access to an autoclave, but the NIH guide seems to suggest heat does not render kanamycin safe for the drain.

Your thoughts are appreciated,

Jennifer.