Dear all, 

We experience regular issues in our lab because one member is very scared of ethidium bromide (even thought we have shown by calculations that the concentration used does not pose a health risk). We run our gels (stained with either ethidium bromide at low concentration or SYBR safe) in 1xTAE buffer (which does not contain any added ethidium bromide or SYBR safe). 

1- Would this buffer pose a health risk after it has in contact with the gel?

2- What is the best way to dispose the TAE buffer after running the gel? 

If you could provide me with references that would be great.

Thanks a lot for your help,

Francine