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NIH Environmental Management System

Take Action to Protect the Future

Managed by the Office of Research Facilities, Division of Environmental Protection (DEP)

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Significant Points

Call Chemical Waste Services if you are uncertain about:

  • Concentration
  • Contents in the total waste
  • pH


Range of pH

  • Any aqueous waste outside the pH range of 6 to 10 is not authorized for discharge to the drain
  • The pH range must be between 6 and 10 at the point of disposal


Autoclave approved antibiotics before discharge

  • ​The NIH Drain Discharge Guide lists antibiotics that may be autoclaved and discharged to the drain. All other antibiotics must be disposed through Chemical Waste Services
  • Bleach combined with any antibiotics must be disposed through Chemical Waste Services


​​All approved chemicals are used in a process before discharge


​NIH is licensed by the Washington Sanitary Suburban Commission (WSSC) to discharge certain waste streams to the sanitary sewer if NIH remains within certain parameters.

  • An unauthorized discharge can seriously affect these parameters. If WSSC revokes the NIH permit, waste disposal costs will increase and resources will be burdened. 

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Contact NEMS

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