Development of a policy to improve oversight of extremely hazardous chemicals

At the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) the use of radioactive materials and biological agents in laboratory research requires approval by the institutional radiation safety committee and biosafety committee, respectively. Investigators who want to use hazardous chemicals, however, do not have to obtain approval. This disparity in institutional oversight of different classes of hazardous materials is a result of more stringent regulatory and research funding requirements rather than the hazards posed by the materials themselves.Recognizing the potential for severe incidents involving highly reactive chemicals and other extremely hazardous chemicals, development of a policy for review of these chemicals was initiated. Development of this policy involved establishing the scope and inclusion criteria, consideration of the effect on laboratory research productivity, diplomacy, and compromise. Development of this policy in its current draft format is described.