[Nhcoll-l] Waste formalin denaturing

[Alexandra Snyder]

Andrew,  Our protocol for neutralizing waste formalin, 5-10% decanted into
a closed head HP 30 gallon barrel:

128 g of sodium metabisulfite per 38 liters of used formalin. Stir and let
it sit for a couple of days.  Stir again, subsample and test with EM Quant
Formaldehyde test kit.  If test shows neutral, the neutalized formalin is
disposed of in the lab sink.

The sodium metabisulfite should be handled with care when measuring it.
 Wearing dust mask, safety glasses, and nitrile gloves are required.  The
stuff is like talcum powder so you need to wear protection against inhaling
or getting it in your eyes.    MSDS
http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9927590

There are trademark names for sodium bisulfite/metabisulfite (inorganic
salt) and various ways it is packaged.

Best wishes, Lex


On Sun, Apr 13, 2014 at 3:30 PM, Andrew Stewart <AndrewS at tepapa.govt.nz>wrote:

>  Hi Folks
>
>
>
> I am looking for a way to cut the considerable costs to the Museum of
> commercial disposal of waste formalin. From a quick search of the web, it
> appears that catalytic oxidation with UV seems to be the way to go, but I
> was wondering if anyone has had any experience of doing this, or has a
> successful system in operation they’d be prepared to share.
>
>
>
> Thanks for your help!
>
>
>
> Andrew
>
>
>
> Andrew Stewart
>
> Collection Manager
>
> Museum of New Zealand
>
> DDI (04) 381-7314
>
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>
> >><<<))O>
>
>
>
>
>
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-- 
*****************************************************
Alexandra M Snyder
Collections Manager-Fishes
Museum of Southwestern Biology
MSC01-2020 Department of Biology
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131 USA
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