How do I get my lab coat cleaned/replaced if something spills on it?

Steps:

  1. Whether a lab coat should be laundered, disposed of, or given to EH&S for decontamination will depend on what was spilled on the coat.

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    BSL1: 

    • Spray with 10% bleach.
    • Rinse after 20 minutes and let dry
    • Send for laundering

    If H-3 (Tritium)  contamination is suspected:

    • Place the lab coat in a sealed bag.
    • Label it with your name, date, and H-3 (Tritium).

    Small spill:

    • Pre-clean and rinse with water or soapy water
    • Dry
    • Send for laundering

    BSL2:

    • Small spill:
      • Spray with 10% bleach
      • Rinse after 20 minutes and let dry
      • Send for laundering
    • Large spill: Dispose of as biological waste.

    Report all spills to the campus biosafety officer at (510) 642-3073 or at bso@berkeley.edu.

    All other radionuclides:

    • Survey your coat with a radiation survey meter.
    • If any spot on the coat reads greater than two (2) times background, the coat is contaminated.
      • Place the lab coat in a sealed bag.
      • Label it with your name, date and radionuclide.
    		 Large spill: Dispose as hazardous waste.


    If you disposed of a lab coat as waste and need a replacement, request a lab coat using the Lab Coat Request Form.

  2. Empty your pockets.
  3. All other soiled coats should be returned to EH&S for laundering. 
    • Return lab coats for laundering: Place lab coats in a clear bag. Submit to EH&S using Mail Code 1155.
    • To request clean lab coats: Fill out the Lab Coat Request Form.
    • To receive clean lab coats: Clean lab coats will be delivered via campus mail to your mail code. Check your assigned mail room 3-7 business days after submitting your request to pick up your clean lab coat.
      • Don’t know your mail code? Look up your mail code here.

For instructional lab coats, fill out the Instructional Lab Coat Wash Request form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to send my soiled lab coat in before requesting or receiving a clean one?

No

Will I be getting the same lab coat back at any point?

No

Will the clean lab coat have my name or my PI's name in it?

No

Will the laundry vendor continue to pick up directly from the current laundry locations across campus?

No

Will the laundry vendor continue to return lab coats directly to the current laundry locations across campus?

No

Will the current laundry locations be going away?

Yes

Will there be any changes to laundering of instructional lab coats?

No

The lab coat I currently wear is altered (i.e., sleeves shortened) and needs to be cleaned. Can I receive a clean lab coat that is altered?

Yes. Fill out the Lab Coat Request Form well in advance before you need a clean coat. This is to ensure that we have time to get a coat tailored if we do not have one on hand.

Topics

PPE topic page