What precautins to be taken and how to discard the material stained with uranyl acetate safely?
Dear Rashmi:
your question is vivid and crisp, but unfortunately isn't a matter of two or three sentences. Normally one has to pay for a founded S.O.P. if in need. Usually one has to absolve (theoretical) courses in dealing with / handling radioactive substances in the Lab (as this is usual at least in European Labs). Special Laws apply (e. g. also for pregnant Tech's)
"What precautins to be taken" , guessing you are addressing "only handling during the staining process" ?? OR "whole process including storage, making of solutions, staining, personal and general safety precautions, safe disposal - or at least safe intermediate storage of "low amounts of working solutions" to be collected as waste for later legal [and legally regulated] disposal ) and how to discard the material stained with uranyl acetate safely?....
To be able to answer seriously, please reply with at least a statement about your Lab situation, your National Law regulations and how you handle the issue in your institution.
Unfortunately I have to leave for a short trip now without the possibility to post my answer right here ... admitting that I have worked and handled with Uranyl actetate (as fixative as well as staining solution for positive (ultrathin sections) as well as negative contrast (viral samples on formvar-mounted EM-copper grids) and developed a technique (not published) to collect the "radioactive" material from working (as well as stock solutions) to be discarded and disposed of according to the Austrian National / E.C.-laws. I shall come back to this thread on Sunday. Cf. My Publication Profile/contributions, find Conference paper&Dataset UO2Acetate, Search RG-Questions for 'Uranylacetate' and or 'UO2Ac'. Regards, W.M.
Dear Rashmi:
your question is vivid and crisp, but unfortunately isn't a matter of two or three sentences. Normally one has to pay for a founded S.O.P. if in need. Usually one has to absolve (theoretical) courses in dealing with / handling radioactive substances in the Lab (as this is usual at least in European Labs). Special Laws apply (e. g. also for pregnant Tech's)
"What precautins to be taken" , guessing you are addressing "only handling during the staining process" ?? OR "whole process including storage, making of solutions, staining, personal and general safety precautions, safe disposal - or at least safe intermediate storage of "low amounts of working solutions" to be collected as waste for later legal [and legally regulated] disposal ) and how to discard the material stained with uranyl acetate safely?....
To be able to answer seriously, please reply with at least a statement about your Lab situation, your National Law regulations and how you handle the issue in your institution.
Unfortunately I have to leave for a short trip now without the possibility to post my answer right here ... admitting that I have worked and handled with Uranyl actetate (as fixative as well as staining solution for positive (ultrathin sections) as well as negative contrast (viral samples on formvar-mounted EM-copper grids) and developed a technique (not published) to collect the "radioactive" material from working (as well as stock solutions) to be discarded and disposed of according to the Austrian National / E.C.-laws. I shall come back to this thread on Sunday. Cf. My Publication Profile/contributions, find Conference paper&Dataset UO2Acetate, Search RG-Questions for 'Uranylacetate' and or 'UO2Ac'. Regards, W.M.
I second Dr. Muss's statement. Any heavy metal requires extreme caution. Lead citrate, mercury, or uranyl acetate all require extreme caution. Gloves and PPE are the minimum. All actions with the transmission stains should be carried out in a certified fume hood enclosure. All PPE and protective paper material should be cautiously disposed into biohazard containers for proper disposal. Any accidental skin contact should be washed with copious amounts of soap and water and followed up with Health and Safety people for monitoring. The potential for radiation in Uranyl acetate is minor relative to it's danger as a toxic metal. Remember when mixing up either stains that dust or vapors will be equally toxic and performed under a fume hood with appropriate disposable paper to prevent contamination of the surfaces. Best Wishes to you.
Thank you, Dr. Kirby,
for specifying the matter more in detail.... Needless to say that (legal) regulations may vary from nation to nation....as well as from Federal state to Federal state (in the USA).in Addition to my reply above (#01) I want to add that "The potential for radiation in Uranyl acetate is minor relative to it's danger as a toxic metal. " not only is true, but also:
due to the "radioactivity issue" as the "qualified safety officer" of the EM-Lab by statutory rule I was committed to perform regularly after working with the stuff on the bench [ e. g. weighing for preparation of stock and working solutions and after multiple grids' staining ] measurement of working area (by using a so called "
radioactive surface contamination meter". Measured values/readings not only had to be within legally regulated limits, but also had to be recorded in writing (archiving necessary for at least 10 years mandated - copies of protocols had to be sent to the Radiation Protection/Safety Officer of the Hospital I worked).
If Rashmi Shrivastava would inform (us) about the situation, his experience and recent knowlegde about the subject he requested we certainly would be able to be of asssistance. Best wishes and regards, WM
For convenience only:
Perhaps worth a view:
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Staining_ultrathin_sections_with_Uranylacetate_replacements?
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