Gram Stain Safety

[lbobrife]

Dear Forum, I am brand new to microbiology and performed a gram stain in lab tonight. I just realized that while I dumped the gram stain I used in the hazardous waste area, I washed the tin that contained it in down the sink. Is it a problem if a little bit goes down the sink, as far as toxicity to water supply? And is there anything you can do about it? Should I email teacher and let him know? how toxic is this stuff anyhow? Thanks, Bob

[rdittmar]

I have always dumped residual gram stain waste down the sink. Assuming you weren't gram staining some horribly infectious bacteria (which I doubt since you are new to micro), you should be fine.