Chemical Safety

Ensuring the safe and compliant use of chemicals on campus.

Dispose of Waste

Master list of waste types is displayed below. Note: If you cannot find the item that you are trying to get rid of in this list, please contact EH&S at ehs@berkeley.edu or (510) 642-3073. collapse all expand all Aerosol Cans

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Understanding Sharps Safety and Handling

June 25, 2025
What Are Sharps?

Sharps are any items with pointed edges or projections capable of cutting, puncturing, or piercing the skin. Common examples include:

Hypodermic needles

Syringes with attached needles or tubing

Razor blades, scalpels, and X-Acto® knives

Glass Pasteur pipettes

Broken glass items

Glass microscope slides and coverslips

Sharp instruments...

Self Closing Flammable Cabinets

Office of Environment, Health & Safety
2025

California Fire Code (CFC) regulations establish the quantity and methods for flammable and combustible liquids storage in research and teaching laboratories.

Flammable Liquid Transfer Guidelines

Flammable Liquid Transfer Guidelines

Maximum Allowable Quantities (MAQ) Project

The California Fire Code establishes requirements for Maximum Allowable Quantities (MAQ) of hazardous materials, which ensures amounts used and stored within buildings do not pose fire and life risks. Following the management of hazardous chemicals guidelines issued by the University of California Office of President in 2023, EH&S is implementing the directives outlined in...

Kendall Braun

Assistant Chemical Hygiene Officer / Lab Safety Specialist
Chemical Safety
Lab Safety
EH&S Inspections

Drain Disposal Restrictions

Sanitary Sewer Disposal What Can Go Down the Drain?

Whatever goes down the drain ends up in the San Francisco Bay, so the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) strictly regulates sanitary sewer wastewater. Discharge of inappropriate materials into the sanitary sewer can damage sewer lines, interfere with the operation of the wastewater treatment plant, risk the safety of campus and EBMUD utility workers who maintain sewer lines, and cause harmful environmental impacts. It is illegal to dispose of hazardous waste down the drain.

Review the information below to...

Russ Blackmar

Chemical Inventory Specialist
Chemical Inventory
Chemical Safety
Hazardous Materials
Lab Safety

Kelsey Mesa

Chemical Hygiene Officer, Lab Safety Team Supervisor
Chemical Safety
Lab Safety
EH&S Inspections

Labs and Research

Providing support, in the form of risk assessment, review, consultation(link sends e-mail), training, and the necessary resources and guidance for research at UC Berkeley.