Current Management Situation and Concerns regarding the Handling of Organic Solvents at Osaka University

Abstract

The concern regarding environment pollution by organic solvents such as trichloroethylene, and tetrachloroethylene has increased considerably. The current situation regarding the use and collection of solvents in laboratories at Osaka University were investigated according to the results of a questionnaire and a discussion on the ideal management for solvent handling was undertaken. It was found that there were noticeable differences in the solvent collection practices between laboratories. The reasons for a low collection rate were mainly related to the absence of a solvent management program in the laboratory and a lack of sence of solvent management on an individual level. The kind of solvents used in each laboratory also affected solvent collection. The discharge percentage of solvents into the air and sewage, estimated by combining the results of the interview survey, was more than 70% and less than 30%, respectively. Reflecting the history of the double violation on dichloromethane discharge regulation at the university, even though the sewage discharge percentage of the solvent was low overall (less than 15%), dichloromethane management should be considered much more seriously. The construction of a solid management system to handle the solvent is urgently required to prevent environmental disaster.