Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
8.3 HANDLING, STORAGE, AND DISPOSAL OF NM
s
The number of NMs and nano-enabled products in the shelves are rapidly
increasing but the regulations for their proper handling, shipping, storage,
and disposal are not yet in place. Currently, it is up to the manufacturers to
recommend the levels of safety, proper handling, storage, and disposal of
the NMs. It is imperative to have proper ventilation. The following general
safety precautions are recommended for the handling, storage, and disposal
of NMs.
8.3.1 Handling
(1)
Always wear proper protective equipment (PPE) including laboratory
gown, gloves, eye goggles, and closed shoes when handling, opening, pour-
ing, or pipetting NMs in solution or in solid form.
(2)
Wear a mask when handling NMs in powder form.
(3)
Transfer solid NMs from one container to another inside a safety fume
hood that is in good working condition.
(4)
Pour NMs in organic solvents under a safety fume hood.
(5)
Work in a well-ventilated area.
(6)
Always carry large glass bottles of NMs using a safety bucket.
8.3.2 Storage
(1)
Store NMs and nano-enabled products in appropriate temperature and
pressure with proper ventilation. For example, biomolecule modified NMs
must be stored at 2-4 °C.
(2)
Store powder NMs in tightly closed vials at ambient room temperature
(ART).
(3)
Store aqueous solutions and organic solutions of NMs tightly closed vials
at 2-8 °C.
8.3.3 Disposal
(1)
Store used NMs and nano-enabled products in properly labeled appropriate
hazardous waste containers for hazardous waste disposal.
(2)
Have a separate hazardous waste container for aqueous NMs suspension
and organic solvent NM suspensions.
(3)
Collect all solids that have been exposed to NMs in a hazardous waste trash
container for proper disposal. This includes vials of used QDs, pipet tips,
paper towels, gloves, weighing boats, etc.
(4)
NEVER dispose any used NMs down the drain.
(5)
All waste solutions containing NMs and all solids exposed to NMs must be
treated as hazardous waste just like ordinary hazardous chemicals.
