Frequently Asked Questions

Biological Safety FAQ's

Who is required to attend bloodborne pathogen training?
Do I have to attend Bloodborne Pathogen Training if I have already attended a seminar offered by the VA?
Do Bench tops need to be decontaminated if bench coats are used?
Does lab equipment need to be decontaminated prior to disposal, repair or servicing?

Biomedical Waste FAQ's

Where can I get needleboxes?
My autoclave room in the medical school is out of the small and large cardboard boxes and bags. What should I do?
The aluminum cart in my autoclave room in the medical school is overflowing with waste. What should I do?
What do I use the red buckets for in the medical school?

Chemical Safety FAQ's

Who is required to attend Chemical Safety training?
Can chemical containers be stored on shelves above a bench?
Can chemicals of different hazard classes be stored within the same cabinet?
Can chemicals with high toxicity be used on the open bench?
Is there a limit on the quantity of chemicals which can be stored in the laboratory at one time?
Where can I obtain a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)?
What are some alternative methods to chromic acid for cleaning glassware?

Hazardous Waste FAQ's

What do I do with empty chemical containers?
Where do I get waste tags?
Where do I get blue secondary containment trays for segregating hazardous waste containers?
What do I do with a broken thermometer?
Does EHS supply containers to collect hazardous waste?
I have chemicals that I can't use and they have never been opened and are not expired. Can anyone use them?

Radiation Safety FAQ's

Who is required to attend Radiation Safety training?
What are the commonly used radioactive materials at Yale?
Can I work with radiation producing equipment or radioactive material if I am pregnant?
How is radioactive material ordered at Yale?
How is radioactive material stored at Yale?
Is there a limit to the amount of radioactive material that can be stored in the laboratory at one time?
Can I take my radioactive material to another facility outside Yale University?
Who needs a radiation dose monitor (film badge)?
How do I get a badge?
What is ALARA?
What is an iodination?
Does lab equipment require decontamination prior to disposal, repair or servicing?
What types of xray equipment are present at Yale?

Radiation Waste FAQ's

Where can I find radioactive waste pickup forms?
Where can I get radioactive waste tags?
Should I tag the waste at the time I submit the pickup request?
How can I determine the size of my radioactive waste container?
What do you actually pickup when a radioactive waste request is submitted?
Do I have to segregate isotopes in my waste streams?
Can I submit a pickup request for a full 1 or 3 gallon sharps container?
What type of shielding should I use for the waste inside my lab?
What is the telphone number for waste inquiry?

Universal Waste FAQ's

How do I know if my lab equipment must be collected as used electronics under the Universal waste law?
I have regular alkaline batteries. Can't I just throw them in the trash?
I found a fluorescent light bulb in my office. What should I do with it?
What do I do with old toner cartridges?
Environmental Health & Safety
135 College Street, Suite 100
New Haven, CT 06510
Telephone: 203-785-3550
Fax: 203-785-7588