INDUSTRIAL HYGENE QUESTION..?

[ANDRES SINISTERRA <SINISTERRA@sun1.uchc.edu>]

I wish to ask a question on behalf of a colleague in the Environmental 
Health and Safety Office.  I apologize that this is not a radiation 
safety question but I hope that someone in an EHS office can reply to 
this.

Question....?  (on behalf of Steve Jacobs, EHSO)

During the autoclaving (standard cycle 1 hr at >260 F) of biochemistry 
research waste plastics, such as plastic pipettes, culture flasks, 
etc..., 1) is there a release of organic compounds due to the melting 
of petroleum based plastics, and 2)if there is a release, how was this 
monitored.

Thank you in advance for forwarding this question.


Andres Sinisterra
University of Connecticut Health Center

Internet:  Sinisterra@sun2.uchc.edu
Bitnet:    Sinisterra@uconnhc