Article by Colette Faiella, Photo of Erin East performing a radioactive package survey. 

 

The Receiving End: A Look at Mizzou's Hottest Deliveries 

How does radioactive material safely arrive on a busy campus? It’s a key responsibility of Environmental Health & Safety (EHS), supervised and regulated by our dedicated Radiation Safety Staff. From the moment a package arrives to its final decommissioning, we have rigorous protocols in place. Our Radiation Safety Specialist explains the process. 

What We Do: RAM Package Receipt and Delivery 

Our department plays a vital role in managing the safe and compliant handling of Radioactive Material (RAM) packages at the University of Missouri. For those unfamiliar with our process, here’s a simplified look at how we ensure radioactive materials are handled properly from the moment they arrive to the point of delivery. 

Before a RAM package even reaches campus, a permitted individual must submit a RAM Requisition. This entry includes key information about the expected package, such as the type of radionuclide and its physical form. These requisitions help us prepare for incoming shipments and ensure everything is in place for a safe and efficient receipt. 

Once a package arrives at our facility, it must be processed within three working hours in accordance with Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regulations. Our trained team inspects each package, checks for removable contamination by swiping the exterior, and measures radiation levels to confirm compliance with Department of Transportation (DOT) limits. Until verified, every package is treated as potentially contaminated. 

If the package meets all safety standards, its information is entered into our inventory system (EHSA), the necessary documentation is completed, and it’s prepared for delivery. We use a designated and secured university vehicle for RAM transport, with strict safety procedures in place throughout the journey. Upon arrival at the delivery location, we conduct another contamination check to ensure the package remained secure in transit. 

The package is then handed off directly to an authorized radiation worker, who signs the paperwork to confirm receipt. Once delivery is complete, we finalize records and analyze the transport swipe to ensure everything is compliant and properly documented. 

From start to finish, our team works to ensure radioactive materials are handled responsibly, tracked accurately, and delivered safely — all while supporting the important research taking place at Mizzou. 

by Chris Pearman and Kevin Fasken

Environmental Health & Safety, in partnership with MURR Safety Staff, is pleased to announce that venting caps are now available for campus laboratories. These specialized caps are designed to prevent dangerous pressure buildup in chemical waste containers, helping to keep our researchers and facilities safe. 

Our campus has experienced several chemical spills in the past linked to piranha solution reactions. When powerful oxidizing mixtures or other gassy waste materials are sealed in containers, they can build up significant pressure. This pressure can cause containers to rupture, leading to dangerous spills and unnecessary hazards. Venting caps provide a simple, effective safeguard by allowing pressure to escape in a controlled manner, helping protect both researchers and facilities. 

Using these caps is a proactive step toward protecting our people, equipment, and research. This simple addition helps you maintain a secure lab environment and stay in compliance with safety regulations.  

Laboratories can request venting caps directly through the EHS Assistant Waste Supply Request tool. This convenient option ensures labs can quickly obtain the supplies they need to maintain safe storage practices. 

To request venting caps or learn more about their use, please contact EHS at labsafety@missouri.edu. Together, we can reduce risks and continue building a safer research environment at Mizzou. 

 

by Chris Pearman and Colette Faiella

At the University of Missouri, our laboratories are spaces of innovation and discovery — but also environments where safety must be prioritized. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is a fundamental part of that safety equation. Whether you're pipetting hazardous chemicals, analyzing samples under high pressure, or just walking through a lab space, your PPE choices matter — not only for your safety, but for the broader research community. 

Minimum PPE Requirements for Laboratories 

All individuals entering a lab space where hazardous materials are present must meet the university’s minimum PPE expectations: 

  • Lab Clothing: Clothing must fully cover the torso, full-length pants must cover the legs, and closed-toe, closed-heel footwear is mandatory. Shorts, skirts above the ankle, and open-toe or open-heel shoes (like sandals or clogs) are not allowed.  

  • Lab Coats: A properly sized lab coat must be worn, fully buttoned, and with sleeves extending to the wrists. The coat must provide full coverage of the torso. 

  • Protective Eyewear: All lab personnel must wear ANSI Z87-certified safety glasses or goggles. Standard prescription glasses without side protection do not meet this standard, however prescription safety glasses can be ordered. 

These are the standard minimum requirements for every space where hazards are present and/or being used, if the Permitted Individual requires workers/etc. to have additional PPE when in the space, that is at the discretion of that PI. 

When PPE Is (and Isn't) Required 

While PPE is expected during nearly all lab activity, EHS recognizes there are specific situations where not wearing PPE is permissible. These include: 

  1. Clean Zones: Designated areas approved by the PI where hazardous materials are not handled. 

  1. Brief, No-Contact Visits: When someone enters a lab momentarily without interacting with materials or equipment. 

  1. Inactive Labs: When no hazardous materials are in use and the lab poses no present risk. 

Even in these cases, individuals must remain vigilant and don appropriate PPE if conditions change. 

Compliance and Accountability 

To foster a consistent safety culture, PPE usage is monitored during routine laboratory inspections. Compliance observations are recorded at the Principal Investigator (PI) level, meaning: 

  • If all lab occupants meet PPE standards, the PI is marked as compliant. 

  • If any individual is out of compliance, the PI receives a non-compliant observation. 

These results are shared directly with PIs and rolled up to academic leadership, including Deans and the Provost, to encourage accountability and institutional support for lab safety. 

Remember: PPE is not just a box to check — it’s the last line of defense between you and serious injury. At Mizzou, we’re committed to protecting your health while supporting world-class research. 

Let’s make safety a habit — not an afterthought. 

Support and Resources 

Need help selecting PPE or sourcing safety glasses and lab coats? The EHS team is here to help. Visit https://ehs.missouri.edu/program-areas/personal-protection for guidance on: 

  • Choosing the right lab coat and eyewear 

  • Ordering PPE through Mizzou’s approved vendors 

  • Signage, training tools, and more 

For questions or consultation, email: labsafety@missouri.edu 

At the University of Missouri, maintaining high-quality drinking water is essential not just for day-to-day campus operations but also for the integrity of scientific research. The Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), is an annual water quality summary that every community water system in Missouri must provide to its customers. Since the University operates its own drinking water distribution system and supplies water to most of the MU campus, it is required to prepare and distribute the annual CCR to the campus community. The CCR, which is required by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), provides valuable information about the quality of water supplied to our campus. 

What Does the Consumer Confidence Report Include?

The CCR offers a comprehensive overview of the water quality and the potential impact of contaminants on health and safety. Key details include:

  • Source of Drinking Water:  e.g., surface water (rivers, lakes) or groundwater (wells, aquifers).
  • Contaminant Levels: A breakdown of any detected substances, such as nitrates, lead, and arsenic, with a comparison to established safety limits.
  • Contaminant Sources: Information on where contaminants may come from, like agricultural runoff or plumbing corrosion.
  • Health Impacts: Descriptions of potential risks if contaminants exceed safety standards.
  • Violations and Corrective Actions: Any exceedances of safety levels, along with steps taken to resolve these issues.
  • Compliance and Vulnerability: Details on compliance with water safety standards and the susceptibility of our water sources to contamination.

This information helps ensure that the drinking water provided on campus is safe and that MU is compliant with all applicable state and federal water quality regulations.

Why MU Researchers Should Care About the CCR

For researchers at MU, the quality of water used in experiments is more than a regulatory concern—it is integral to the reliability and accuracy of research results. The following points highlight why the CCR is a critical resource for researchers:

  1. Ensuring Experiment Accuracy:
    Even trace contaminants—such as lead, copper, or disinfection byproducts—can interfere with sensitive scientific instruments or impact the accuracy of experiments. The CCR provides specific data about these contaminants, allowing researchers to understand potential challenges in their work and make adjustments as needed.
  2. Supporting Water Purification Needs:
    For certain experiments, researchers may need to purify water further (e.g., using deionization or reverse osmosis) to meet the exacting standards of their protocols. By reviewing the CCR, researchers can determine whether additional purification steps are required to meet these needs.
  3. Protecting Research Quality:
    In fields like biomedical research, environmental science, and chemistry, the purity of water used in experiments can directly influence cell viability, data integrity, and chemical reactions. Understanding the baseline quality of campus water is essential for ensuring that research protocols yield reliable results.
  4. Compliance and Grant Support:
    Many research projects, especially those involving animal models or tissue cultures, require compliance with regulatory standards for water quality. The CCR provides crucial documentation to support this compliance, which is often needed when applying for grant funding or when demonstrating laboratory conditions during inspections or audits.
  5. Advancing Public Health and Environmental Research:
    The CCR is also an invaluable tool for researchers in public health, environmental studies, and sustainability. It offers insights into the effectiveness of the university's water treatment processes and provides real-world data for research on water safety, infrastructure, and environmental policy.

How to Access MU’s Consumer Confidence Report

The most recent Consumer Confidence Report is available online through Campus Facilities and Environmental Health & Safety (EHS). Printed copies can be requested by contacting EHS at:

Understanding the contents of the CCR ensures that your research is based on the most accurate, high-quality water possible. Whether you're working with delicate tissue cultures or running complex chemical assays, the Consumer Confidence Report is an essential tool for safeguarding the quality and reproducibility of your work. Stay informed, stay compliant, and keep your research on track with this important resource.

 

 

Whether you're a new investigator setting up your first lab or a seasoned researcher transitioning to a new space—or even preparing for retirement—clearing out or organizing a lab can be a complex and time-consuming process. Properly managing hazardous materials, ensuring regulatory compliance, and maintaining safety standards are critical steps that require careful planning. 

Fortunately, Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) provides comprehensive tools, resources, and expert guidance to streamline lab clean-outs, relocations, and closures. From chemical waste disposal to biosafety protocols, our team is here to help you navigate the process efficiently while meeting all compliance requirements. 

What You Need to Do 

Notify the Laboratory Transition Coordinator as soon as your lab assignment or relocation is confirmed. They serve as your central point of contact for all transition-related needs—coordinating lab transfers, facilitating hazmat support, and ensuring a seamless process. The sooner you notify EHS, the sooner you can begin conducting research. To remain compliant with university and federal standards, every person involved in a lab space must undergo training based on what their lab tasks will be, and more advance training is necessary for more hazardous research such as biological or radiological.   

After EHS has been notified, we will supply you with the correct information based on your transition needs. Our hazmat team works laboriously and diligently to ensure hazardous waste material is picked up in a timely and safe manner. 

Chemical Redistribution Program 

EHS helps Mizzou labs reduce waste and cut costs through its Chemical Redistribution Program. This sustainability initiative collects unused chemicals, lab equipment, and glassware from researchers who no longer need them and redistributes these materials to other university labs at no cost. By giving surplus inventory a second life, the program simultaneously minimizes hazardous waste disposal and in house lab expenses, reduces environmental impact, and supports responsible resource management across campus. Researchers interested in donating gently or unused materials or finding needed supplies are encouraged to contact EHS’s Hazmat Team to learn more about this sustainable solution for laboratory operations. 

Below, we outline key steps for new Principal Investigators (PIs) establishing a lab and departing PIs closing out their spaces. Following these guidelines will help ensure a smooth transition, minimize risks, and maintain a safe working environment for all lab personnel. 

For New PIs 

  • EHSA Access: Once registered, you and your team will gain access to the required training.  

  • Lab Setup: Ensure proper labeling and signage for hazards.  

  • Biosafety & Animal Research: Contact Biosafety at (573) 882-7018.  

  • Radiation Safety: Contact Rad Safety at (573) 882-7018.  

  • Chemical & Waste Management:  

  • Work with the EHS Hazmat team for chemical waste disposal.  

  • Maintain an up-to-date chemical inventory. 

For Leaving/Transitioning PIs 

  • Notify EHS: Inform EHS at least six weeks before evacuation (or as soon as possible) to schedule a closeout inspection.  

  • Chemicals  

  • Gas cylinders  

  • Glassware  

  • Biological materials  

  • Radioactive materials  

  • Surplus items  

  • General trash & recycling 

  • Final Checkout:  

  • Schedule a closeout walkthrough with EHS.  

Maintaining a Safe & Organized Lab 

A well-maintained lab reduces risks and improves efficiency. Follow these best practices:  

  • Label all waste containers with contents and hazard classifications.  

  • Segregate chemicals by compatibility (acids, bases, flammables, oxidizers).  

  • Dispose of waste according to regulations (hazardous, biological, non-hazardous). 

  • Regularly review and remove expired or unused chemicals. 

The University of Missouri Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) is updating hazardous waste labeling requirements to comply with recent EPA and MODNR regulation changes. Starting February 28, all hazardous waste containers must display the new neon green Hazardous Waste Labels. Labels must clearly indicate hazards and utilize the word Hazardous Waste.  Please retain the original accumulation start date when replacing older yellow labels. EHS staff will distribute new labels during lab visits, or they can be requested through the EHSA supply request form. For more details, visit our chemical labeling page.

Updated February 17, 2025

In April 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued new regulations under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to enhance safety measures for methylene chloride usage. These regulations prohibit many common applications, including paint stripping, degreasing, and adhesive removal, while permitting certain uses under stringent safety protocols. The University of Missouri's Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) department is actively assisting faculty, staff, and researchers in adhering to these updated standards. Departments utilizing methylene chloride must assess their inventories, eliminate or substitute prohibited uses by December 31, 2024, and collaborate with EHS for exposure monitoring and the development of Workplace Chemical Protection Plans for permitted uses. Full compliance is required by April 28, 2026.

For more details, visit the Methylene Chloride webpage.

Updated February 17, 2025

Self Directed Phone Assistance at EHS 

When you call EHS's main number (882-7018), your call will be answered by an auto-attendant service. To assist you in making the choice you need quickly (which you can enter at any time) please see the key below. Press...

  1. For questions about unwanted materials or collection of such or to reach the chemical/equipment redistribution program
  2. For assistance with shipping hazardous materials (chem, rad, bio) both on campus and offsite
  3. For other lab safety questions (general, chem, rad, bio)
  4. For safety questions not related to laboratories
  5. For environmental questions including indoor air, asbestos, lead, air/water pollution and industrial hygiene
  6. For assistance with EHSA - the Environmental Health and Safety Assistant Online Web Portal
  7. For financial or administrative issues or to reach the EHS front desk

Updated March 27, 2023

The University of Missouri's contracted and approved vendor for providing Biosafety Cabinet(BSC) certifications/repairs is Technical Safety Services. All scheduling appointments must be made through TSS.

The TSS scheduling group can best be reached at their new group email of: tss_heartlands_schedulers@techsafety.com

Updated October 16, 2025

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