If laboratory equipment is to be left for the next occupant, clean or decontaminate it before departing the laboratory. Attached is an Equipment Release Form that should be used to certify that the equipment was decontaminated. If laboratory equipment is to be discarded, be aware that capacitors, transformers, mercury switches, mercury thermometers, radioactive sources and chemicals must be removed before disposal. Shared Storage Areas One of the most problematic situations is the sharing of storage units such as refrigerators, freezers, cold rooms, stock rooms, waste collection areas, etc., particularly if no one has been assigned to manage the unit. Departing researchers must carefully survey any shared facility in order to locate and appropriately dispose of their hazardous materials.
Adverse publicity is also a frequent result.