Walking the walk: Engaging environmental health labs to establish a model for sustainability

Jennifer Krenz, University of Washington

University of Washington's Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences (UW DEOHS) has 20 laboratories used for research, education, and analytical services. Activities focus on environmental and workplace factors that affect health, but practices within DEOHS laboratories have not been assessed for their impacts on health and sustainability. DEOHS has the capability and responsibility to provide leadership and serve as an exemplary model.

Existing programs promote sustainable laboratory practices, such as the UW Green Labs Certification program. However, participation rates are low and quantitative evaluation approaches have not been widely adopted to measure the impacts of green strategies.

The objectives of this project are to assess current practices in DEOHS laboratories, pilot-test and evaluate green strategies, and provide recommendations to the UW Green Labs Certification program on ways to expand and refine their program.

Baseline data is being collected and analyzed to characterize chemical use, energy consumption, and waste generated by DEOHS. Chemical inventories are being obtained by using the UW Environmental Health &Safety chemical tracking system, and chemicals will be assessed using hazard criteria developed by the Environmental Protection Agency. Energy consumption is being estimated by using monitors that measure power used in real-time, clamp meters, and instrument nameplate information. Waste streams will be characterized by collecting, sorting, and weighing trash from laboratories. Purchasing records are also being accessed to gather information on the most commonly purchased consumable products.

Focus groups with faculty, staff, and students will be conducted to discuss baseline assessments, review sustainability programs, and brainstorm ways to improve sustainability metrics and refine the UW Green Labs Certification program. Baseline assessment and focus group data will be organized into themes, including barriers to sustainability and green strategies to improve metrics. Specific strategies will be pilot-tested within DEOHS laboratories. Assessment and evaluation tools will be refined based on our experience.

Baseline assessment data and preliminary results from pilot-testing will be presented. We will also offer streamlined and comprehensive approaches for quantifying the impacts of green strategies and improving sustainability metrics as well as making recommendations on the integration of these tools into the UW Green Labs Certification program.

Learning Objectives

  • Rank and classify chemicals used in environmental health research by applying Environmental Protection Agency hazard criteria.
  • Measure power used by common laboratory instruments by employing energy monitors, clamp meters, and nameplate information.
  • Identify and quantify common consumable products in academic laboratory waste streams and investigate opportunities for green purchasing and waste stream diversion.

Biography:

Jennifer Krenz graduated with a Master of Public Health degree in 2010 and is a researcher in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences at the University of Washington. She leads research activities and manages projects focused on improving environmental health and occupational safety outcomes.

 

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