Authors
1 MSc, Department of Environmental Management, Faculty of Environment and Energy, Islamic Azad University Tehran Sciences and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran.
2 Professor, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Science, Graduate Faculty of Environment and Energy, Islamic Azad University Tehran Sciences and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran.
4 Assistant Professor, Department of Zakaria Razi, Islamic Azad University Tehran Sciences and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran.
5 Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
Background and objective: Laboratory wastes are produced in small, but varied quantities. These wastes need to be managed correctly. Consequently, this research has undertaken a quantitative and qualitative assessment and management of the laboratory wastes of Zakaria Razi Laboratory Complex in Tehran
Science Research Branch Islamic Azad University.
Materials and Method: This study, primarily with the help of interviews, determined the most productive laboratories of the Complex, which then led to the selection of two educational laboratories and two research laboratories for qualitative and quantitative sampling. After sampling which the samples were
catalogued according to the four categories of corrosive, toxic, flammable and reactive.
Results: The findings of this research show that 54% of the hazardous waste of the research laboratories is flammable and in the educational laboratories 56% of the waste produced is corrosive.
Conclusion: In most of the laboratories in this complex (88%), a list of the hazardous waste produced is not compiled and stored, and in all but 16% of the laboratories where hazardous waste is disposed after being secured in appropriate containers, this waste is poured into the drain without any proper management. A list of produced wastes in each laboratory is required to be prepared, using the laboratory operator’s assistance.
Keywords
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