[Histonet] 5% Chromic acid disposal

[Bryan Llewellyn]

I suspect disposal might vary depending on the State. I live in British 
Columbia and we had permission from out city (Prince George) to use a 
dribble tank with lots of water and flush them into the local river (The 
Fraser), but I opted to collect all the toxic chemicals and ship them 
periodically to a facility in our neighboring Province of Alberta for 
recovery and reuse. There must be facilities of that kind somewhere in 
the United States, I would think. That is probably the best option. We 
used the same procedure for mercury salts, osmium tetroxide, etc.

Bryan Llewellyn


Bob Richmond via Histonet wrote:
> Sharon at Celligent Diagnostics in Spartanburg SC asks:
>
>>> We are changing our GMS stain over from a Periodic acid kit to a 5%
> chromic acid kit. What do the labs that use chromic acid in special
> staining do with the waste/ used chromic acid?<<
>
> I hope someone can give an authoritative answer to this question, with
> references. Chromic acid (chromium trioxide, CrO3) is a strong oxidant, and
> chromium is toxic and an environmental hazard. I'd be comfortable with
> pouring it down the drain with a LOT of water, but what do the authorities
> want us to do?
>
> Bob Richmond
> Samurai Pathologist
> Maryville TN
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