Chemical Management in Scientific and Educational Institutions

Management and use of chemical reagents as well as the waste recovery and disposal are regulated by numerous legal acts. Despite the factual knowledge related to dealing with chemical reagents the knowledge of the relevant regulations within that scope is firmly required. Actually, one may seek in vain for a single study that would contain the information on a full "migration" pathway of a chemical reagent viewed in the light of legally binding regulations - from purchase, through use, storage till recovery and disposal of the derived waste. Accumulation of a full knowledge of these facts is time-consuming and sometimes even hardly accomplishable due to the complexity of the problem. The present study is a committed to paper collection of experiences gained during many years of work in the aforementioned domain. It is addressed to all kinds of institutions (research, academic, schools and the like) that conduct the activities involving a contact with chemicals. A full pathway followed by a reagent from a moment of purchase, through storing, giving over, handling and using at the workplace, collecting waste, transferring to recovery and disposal has been traced taking into account the European Union and Polish legislations. For clarity this study has been divided into chapters containing an in-depth discussion of the most important questions concerning the chemical management - legal basis (regulatory acts and directives, occupational safety and health rules, fire regulations), purchase of chemical substances and preparations, storage, handling and using of chemicals at the workplace, and finally the recovery and disposal of the chemical waste.