Clean-up for Ethidium Bromide

Decontamination of EtBr solutions

When EtBr conc. is >0.5 mg/ml:

1. Add sufficient water to reduce the concentration of EtBr to <0.5 mg/ml.
2. Add 1 volume of 0.5 M KMnO4. Mix, add 1 volume of 2.5 N HCl (210 ml HCl in 1 L water) . Mix and allow the solution to stand for several hr at room temperature.
3. Add 1 volume of 2.5 N NaOH (100 g NaOH in 1 L water). Mix, and discard the solution.

When EtBr conc. is ² 0.5 µg/ml:
* electrophoresis buffer contains 0.5 µg/ml EtBr

1. Add 29 g Amberlite XAD-16 (Rohm and Hass) for 1 L of solution.
2. Store the solution for 12 hr at room temperature, shaking it intermittently.
3. Filter the solution through a Whatman No. 1 filter, and discard the filtrate.
4. Seal the filter and Amberlite resin in a plastic bag, and dispose of the bag in the hazardous waste.