Out of the gate, I would suggest going to the DCHAS-L webiste and examine the email database. there is a plethora of email traffic on this; some of which was provided by myself.
In answer to your questions, Kim...
1. Is there enough residual material in the syringe that it could be hazardous?
Absolutely! any residual BuLi is hazardous, period!
2. Should there be a sharps container stored in the fume hood for the exclusive use of these syringes (avoiding incompatible material that may be left in the syringe)
Yes. All one needs to do is havea beaker of Silicone oil nearby in the hood. After using the BuLi-poisoned syringe, draw up silione oil and discharge back into the beaker which houses the Silicone oil. Do this a few (3-5) times.
Afterwards, the syringe (AND NEEDLE!...if a leuer-lok system) can be rinsed with i-PrOH and then disposed of in normal fashion.
3. If not a sharps container, what/how does your labs dispose of these syringes?
We use a sharps container. Perform the rinsing steps described above.
Hope this helps!
-George
From: "Kim Gates" <kim.gates**At_Symbol_Here**STONYBROOK.EDU>
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Sent: Thursday, March 7, 2013 9:52:50 AM
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Butyl Lithium & syringe safety
I have a question from our Chem dept about nButyl Lithium & syringes after I forwarded them the CEN blog on safer syringes. http://cenblog.org/the-safety-zone/2013/02/engineering-safer-syringes/
The lab's SOP calls for not reusing their syringes & only filling them 50%. I asked them to write in more clearly that they are to dispose in sharps container.
The questions I'm hoping any of you with similar hazards can help with:
1. Is there enough residual material in the syringe that it could be hazardous?
2. Should there be a sharps container stored in the fume hood for the exclusive use of these syringes (avoiding incompatible material that may be left in the syringe)
3. If not a sharps container, what/how does your labs dispose of these syringes?
thanks!