Chemical Safety
Illinois State university’s (ISU) Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) division oversees managing chemical safety for all faculty, staff, and students here on campus and in the field. The goal of the chemical safety program is to protect the faculty, staff, and students from exposures to hazardous chemicals and procedures. EHS works closely with the chemistry department to provide a working University Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) that all labs and lab workers are to adhere to. A copy of the CHP is located on the right side of this web page.
In addition to the Chemical Hygiene Plan, EHS and Chemistry work to ensure there is an updated chemical inventory system stores with the Chemistry Stockroom on the first floor of the Science Lab Building (SLB). EHS also manages Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for the campus partners, provides consulting services on the use of new and old chemicals to faculty, staff and students, detail work best practices related to EHS requirements and assist in providing in person and online training for the campus. EHS is also heavily involved in providing expertise as it related to laboratory construction and future renovation projects.
Safety Data Sheets
Hazardous Waste
Here at Illinois State University, it is the responsibility of all faculty, staff and students involved in the creation of Hazardous Waste to manage it properly according to ISU EHS policy. This involves proper handling, use and communication when Hazardous Waste is being generated and working with EHS to facilitate its disposal with the help of federally regulated contractors. EHS will provide guidance, services, and oversight to ensure compliance with the regulations pertaining to hazardous waste collection, packaging, and manifesting.
EHS’s hazardous waste team collects and disposes of regulated wastes generated from sciences laboratories, maintenance areas, facilities/grounds departments, housing units, the arts department and student health service. The “Hazardous Waste Pickup Request” form is located on the right side of the screen. These regulated wastes include:
- Chemical Waste – Ex. Acetone
- Biological Waste – Ex. Blood covered tissues from Student Fitness
- Radioactive Waste – Ex. Carbon-14
- Universal Waste – Ex. Batteries
EHS will also respond and assist with any chemical, biological, radioactive, or other environmental damaging spills on campus grounds or at campus facilities.