Spill Response Guidelines

Chemical
Biological
Radiological


Chemical Spill Response

All spills should be cleaned up promptly and efficiently.  The volume and toxicity of the 
hazardous substance used in the lab require preplanning to respond safely.  Spill kits 
with absorbents, protective equipment, and clean-up supplies are available to clean up 
minor spills.  A minor spill is one that the laboratory personnel are capable of handling 
safely without the assistance of safety and emergency personnel.  All other chemical 
spills are considered major. 

Minor Chemical Spill

1. Alert people in immediate area of spill.
2. Wear protective equipment, including safety goggles, gloves, and lab coat.
3. Avoid breathing vapors from spill.
4. Confine spill to small area.  Dike liquids by surrounding area involved with absorbent material.
5. Refer to appropriate MSDS.
6. Use absorbent material to neutralize and absorb liquid.  
7. Collect residue with clean-up supplies, place in container, and dispose of as chemical waste.
8. Clean spill area with water.

Note:  Many small liquid spills (<100mL) can be absorbed with paper towels, then disposing 
of paper towels as waste.  Most solid spills can be brushed up, placed in a container, and 
disposed of as chemical waste. 

Major Chemical Spill

1. Attend to injured or contaminated persons and remove them from exposure.
2. Alert people in the laboratory to evacuate, to minimize exposure to others.
3. If spilled material is flammable, turn off ignition and heat sources such as Bunsen burners 
    and gas jets.
4. Call TAMU Environmental Health and Safety Department (845-2132) or the Biology Health 
    and Safety Office (862-2051) for assistance. 
5. Confine area.  Close doors to affected area.
6. Have person knowledgeable of incident and laboratory provide information to emergency 
    personnel as appropriate.

Note: Do not take unnecessary risk with chemical spills.  Call for assistance whenever the spill 
involves the following:
•   Large volume of spilled material
•   Very Hazardous material
•   Very hazardous Conditions (e.g., fire, explosion, toxicity, etc.)
•   Strong odor
•   Personnel injury or exposure


Biological Spill Response

Biological spills outside biological safety cabinets will generate aerosols that can be dispersed 
in the air throughout the laboratory.  Appropriate protective equipment is particularly important 
in decontaminating spills involving BSL2 containment.  This equipment includes safety goggles, 
disposable gloves, and long-sleeved lab coat.  This will prevent contact with contaminated 
surfaces and protect eyes and mucous membranes from exposure to splattered materials.

BSL1 Lab Spill

1. Wear disposable gloves.
2. Soak paper towels in disinfectant and place over spill area.
3. Place towels in plastic bag for disposal.
4. Clean area with fresh towels soaked in disinfectant.

BSL2 Lab Spill

1. Alert people in the immediate are of spill.
2. Put on protective equipment.  
3. Cover spill with paper towels or other absorbent materials.
4. Carefully pour a 1:10 bleach solution around edges of spill and then into the spill.  
    Avoid splashing.
5. Allow a 20-minute contact period.
6. Use paper towels to wipe up the spill, working from the edges into the center.
7. Clean spill area with fresh towels soaked in disinfectant.
8. Place towels in a plastic bag and decontaminate in an autoclave.


Radiation Spill Response

Spreading of radiation beyond the spill area can easily occur by the movement of personnel
involved in the spill or cleanup effort.  Prevent spread by confining movement of personnel 
until they have been monitored and found free of contamination.  A minor radiation spill is 
one that laboratory personnel is capable of handling safely without the assistance of safety 
and emergency personnel.  All other radiation spills are considered major.

Minor Radiation Spill

1. Alert people in the immediate area of spill.
2. Notify TAMU Radiation Safety Office (845-1361).
3. Wear protective equipment, including safety goggles, disposable gloves, shoe covers,
    and long-sleeved lab coat.
4. Place absorbent paper towels over liquid spill.  Place towels dampened with water 
    over spills of solid materials.
5. Using forceps, place towels in plastic bag.  Dispose in radiation waste container.
6. Monitor area, hands, and shoes for contamination with an appropriate survey meter or 
    method.  Repeat cleanup until contamination is no longer detected.

Major Radiation Spill

1. Attend to injured or contaminated persons and remove them from exposure.
2. Alert people in the laboratory to evacuate.
3. Have potentially contaminated personnel stay in one area until they have been monitored 
    and shown to be free of contamination.
4. Call TAMU Radiation Safety Office (845-1361).
5. Close doors and prevent entrance into affected area.
6. Have person knowledgeable of incident and laboratory provide information to emergency 
    personnel as appropriate.