Some bottles are hazardous even when empty. DO NOT store unneeded lecture bottles of hazardous gases for some possible future use. Reason Disposal of hazardous lecture bottles is one of the most difficult, expensive waste management operations. Few suppliers are willing to take back their cylinders. Lecture bottles with unknown contents can cost thousands of dollars to dispose.
Old bottles can also pose a significant hazard to both lab personnel and others.
Small leaks in storage can damage nearby equipment. Adopted by the Chemical Hazards Committee, November 1994 Copyright 1999 University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Produced and maintained by UMass Environmental Health and Safety, a division of Administration and Finance . This is an official page of the University of Massachusetts Amherst Campus.