Chemistry Laboratories and Other Ecosystems Ecology begins a t home. We cannot advocate prohibitions against industrial, commercial, and municipal air and water pollution while neglecting our own "household" pollution. The material flow which is the lifeline of the chemistry laboratory must be scrutinized from an ecological standpoint. For decedes the "results" of experiments in qualitative analysis and others have been poured into the sinks with an admonition t o flush with plenty of water to prevent clogged drains. We have been polluting the waters with materials now ident,ified as dangerous-many of which even tertiary sewage treatment does not remove. Dilution is a. source of, not a solution to, pollution.' As water reuse grows more common, it becomes increasingly important to remove potentially harmful substances a t their source. The Michigan St& Legislature enacted a bill in 1970 to provide for the mandatory reporting on the useof "critical materials" (whichinclude many qualitative analysis cations) and for the assessment of surveillance fees upon discharges to the waters of the state.' Pollutants are not respecters of state lines: national pollution abatement standards must follow. Blocking this source o j water pollution is simple. Instead of dumping aqueous solutions down the drain. Iaree collection vessels can be orovided around the lahoratorv. With the aid of a hot dat,e t,he& so~ut,ionnaan be allowed to ev&xate eivine solid waste destined for the dumo standard equipment. Disposal of accumulated organic wastes presents special problems. While accumulation may he minimized by including semimicro rather than macro experiments, storage and reuse of boiling wastes is inevitable. ~ l t h o u g hsome schools provide a separate faciiity, most chemistry departments must handle disoosnl themselves. Commercial leeal incineration costs are low comoared vided these are adequate in design and temperature). Consumer efforts at glass recycling are helping to found an environmental ethic for glass users. Living this ethic means collecting spent containers and all broken glassware for donation to recycling centers, requesting delivery of chemicals in returnable bottles, and curtailing use of "disposables." Perhaps there is reason for optimism about the environment if our concern over environmental deterioration can continue escalating and our attitudes can change. 'BENT, H. A,, "Pollution and Entropy," Chemistru, 44, 9 (1971). Michiwn Act 200. P.A. 1970. The Michiesn Water Resources Commission is resoonsible for imolementine this act. For example, Fisher Scientific Company's Lab-Air Fume Scrubbers. OAKLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE CHARLESM. WYNN FARMINDTON, MICHIGAN 48034
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Volume 49, Number 4, April 1972
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