Original Material

Substitute

Comments

Acetamide

Stearic acid

In phase change and freezing point depression.

Benzene

Alcohol and acetonitrile

No comment.

Benzoyl peroxide

Lauryl peroxide

When used as a polymer catalyst.

Butyl or petroleum-containing cleaners

Super Brute Orange (Applied Research, Inc.)

Non-caustic, non-butyl cleaner/degreaser. Water soluble, emulsifies tough grease, soil, sludge, ink, etc. For use on floors, machinery, etc., and is free rinsing.

Carbon Tetrachloride

Cyclohexane

In test for halide ions.

Carbon Tetrachloride

Isopropyl alcohol

Less toxic, better for environment.

Chloroform

Dichloromethane

Kits also available for purification/isolation of DNA without organic solvents (Promega Corp, Stratagene). StrataClean resin for concentration of proteins.

Chromic acid

Potassium hydroxide, sonic baths, or detergents (Alconox, PCC-54, Pierce BBS 35 or similar detergent).

Last resorts include: KOH/ethanol bath, acid bath or NoChromix. PCC-54 is good for cleaning pipettes and other lab equipment with hard-to-clean crevices and decontamination.

Chlorinated solvents (low BTU)

High BTU non-chlorinated solvents.

In vapor degreasing processes.

Chlorine-containing solvents

Decontam (Electronic Space Products International ESPI)

Non-toxic, non-flammable, removes oils and greases, tars, dried blood, distillation residues from most metals, plastics, glassware, quartz or fabric.

Ethidium Bromide

SYBR Safe DNA stain gel (Invitrogen Corporation)

Less mutagenic, less toxic, not a hazardous waste. Detection sensitivity comparable.

Ethyl ether

Methyl t-butyl ether

Avoid forming explosive peroxides.

Formaldehyde

Peracetic acid

In cleaning of kidney dialysis machines.

Formaldehyde

"Formalternate" (Flinn Scientific), or ethanol (ethyl alcohol)

For storage of biological specimens.

Formalin

see Formaldehyde

No comment.

Fluorinert

Non-volatile, reusable pressurizing fluid

No comment.

Halogenated solvents

Non-halogenated solvents or non-flammable biodegradable cleaners

In parts washers or other solvent processes.

Mercuric chloride

Solutions such as 5-10% methylene chloride, 1% formalin, 1N hydrochloric acid, sodium azide, or sodium hypochlorite

Biocide use.

Mercuric chloride

Eliminate catalyst and let reaction run longer. Mercury-free catalysts such as CuSO4, Ti02, or K2SO4 can be used in Kjedahl digests instead of mixtures containing mercury metals or salts.

Reaction catalyst.

Mercury thermometers

Red alcohol or mineral spirit thermometers

If mercury thermometers must be used, those with Teflon coatings should be considered.

Mercury manometers

Pressure transducers, electronic pressure gauges or oil-based manometers

No comment.

Phosphate-containing detergent

PCC-Pfree detergent concentrate

Permits long soaking and rinses free of residues, and can decontaminate radioactivity, similar to PCC-54.

Phenol/chloroform extractions, acetone precipitation

StrataClean resin (Stratagene), or
kits also available from Stratagene or Promega Corporation

Non-toxic, non-flammable. Designed for extraction of restriction endonucleases. Concentrate proteins.

Protein gel stains

ProtoBlue Safe (National Diagnostics)

No comment.

Scintillation cocktails (traditional with solvents)

Biodegradable and safer cocktails

No comment.

Sodium dichromate

Sodium hypochlorite (bleach)

No comment.

S-35

P-33

Beta emission, half-life of 25 days, Emax 0.25 MeV, specific activity of 3000 Ci/mmol. Compatible with the latest protocols for DNA Cycle Sequencing. No volatile components to contaminate work areas. Can reduce times for autoradiography with no effect on band resolution.

Sulfide ion

Hydroxide ion

In analysis of heavy metals.

Sulfuric/chromic acids

Specialty detergents

No comment.

Toluene

Simple alcohols and ketones

No comment.

Wood's metal

Onion's Fusible alloy

no comment

Xylene

Histo-Clear (National Diagnostics) or limonene-based extract

For histology uses.