Disposable labware

Plastics have made many major contributions to the contemporary scene. Health-care professionals depend on plastics for everything from intravenous bags to wheelchairs, disposable labware to silicone body parts, etc. The diversity of plastics allows them to serve in many ways, improving and prolonging lives, such as a braided, corrugated Dacron (Du Pont s polyester) aorta tube (24). 

Disposable labware should be used where possible. 

The biggest problem with disposable pipettes (or any disposable labware) is that they are wasteful and not environmentally sound. The concept of a disposable lab is not practical in the long run for either the individual or the earth. 

Disposable labware, such as pipettes, should be autoclaved and placed in biohazard containers. Non-disposable labware should be retained in the facility until it has been decontaminated. 

Use disposable labware for all procedures involving high levels of tritium. Seal used lab-ware in plastic bags and place into radioactive waste containers. This will minimize the buildup of tritium vapors in the open waste. 

The RMK cell line, which exhibits cytopathic effect (CPE) in the presence of Influenza A(H1N1) or Avian Influenza A (H3N2) virus, was used as the indicator cell line in the infectivity assays. Cells in multiwell culture dishes were inoculated in quadruplicate with 0.1 ml of the dilutions prepared from test and control groups. Uninfected indicator cell cultures (cell controls) were inoculated with test medium alone. The cultures were incubated at 36-38° C. in a humidified atmosphere of 5-7% C02 in sterile disposable cell culture labware. The cultures were scored periodically for approximately seven days for the absence or presence of CPE, cytotoxicity and for viability. 

Carry-over arising from the contact between samples, species and reagents should be kept below detectable levels. Alternatively, a computer can be used to compensate for mutual contamination. A logical and dual solution to this problem involves minimizing contact between surfaces by using disposable pipettes, cuvettes, etc., and carefully washing and drying re-usable labware between samples. 

Medical applications of PP such as disposable syringes, hospital trays, and labware are contingent on sterilizability, either autoclaving or radiation. Disposable syringes that are sterilized by radiation require special formulations to prevent discoloration (yellowing) or brittleness as a consequence of degradation and cross-linking. 

Laboratory coats, disposable aprons, caps, sleeves, dust/mist respirators and foot protection, hearing protection as well as a variety of safety glasses, goggles, face and body shields should be used when the demand arises and are avaOable commerciaUy (see e.g. the Sigma-Aldrich Labware catalogue). 

Contaminated labware may include cultures, stocks, petri plates, and other disposable laboratory items... 

Radioactive-biological contaminated labware (e.g., gloves and disposable laboratory articles) is generated... 

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