Chemical/Biological Spills
Chemical Spills:
- Identify or characterize the substance(s) involved.
- Call University Police at 942-2071 for major spills or if assistance or medical treatment is needed.
- Evacuate the area as needed. Remove injured persons, if safe to do so.
- For questions on spill response, call the Office of Environmental Health, Safety and Risk Management at 942-2180.
Chemical Spill Or Splash On Body/Eyes:
Biosafety Level 1 Organism Spill (low risk agents for healthy adults):
- Wear disposable gloves.
- Place paper towels over the spill and soak with an appropriate disinfectant.
- Place towels in a plastic bag for disposal.
- Clean up spill area with fresh towels soaked in disinfectant.
- If disinfectant does not completely decontaminate the waste material, autoclave waste prior to disposal.
Biosafety Level 2 Organism Spill (moderate risk agents):
- Alert people in immediate area of spill.
- Put on protective equipment.
- Cover spill with paper towels or other absorbent materials. Avoid splashing.
- Carefully pour a freshly prepared 1 to 10 dilution of household bleach or other appropriate disinfectant around the edges of the spill and then into the spill.
- Allow a 20-minute contact period.
- After the spill has been absorbed, clean up the spill area with fresh towels soaked in disinfectant.
- Place towels in a plastic bag and decontaminate in an autoclave.