Decontamination of EtBr solutions
Caution: EtBr is a powerful mutagen and is moderately toxic.
Wear gloves when working.
When EtBr conc. is >0.5 mg/ml:
- Add sufficient water to reduce the concentration of EtBr to
<0.5 mg/ml.
- Add 1 volume of 0.5 M KMnO4. Mix, add 1 volume of 2.5 N HCl
(210 ml HCl in 1 L water) . Mix and allow the solution to stand
for several hr at room temperature.
- Add 1 volume of 2.5 N NaOH (100 g NaOH in 1 L water). Mix,
and discard the solution.
When EtBr conc. is ² 0.5 µg/ml:
* electrophoresis buffer contains 0.5 µg/ml EtBr
- Add 29 g Amberlite XAD-16 (Rohm and Hass) for 1 L of solution.
- Store the solution for 12 hr at room temperature, shaking
it intermittently.
- Filter the solution through a Whatman No. 1 filter, and discard
the filtrate.
- Seal the filter and Amberlite resin in a plastic bag, and
dispose of the bag in the hazardous waste.