Abstract

HUATUCO LOZANO, Maribel Margot; CARLOS REYES, Gabriel Jorge  and  MIRANDA JARA, Angélica Ysabel. EVALUATION OF HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT IN UNIVERSITY LABORATORIES: AGROINDUSTRY LABORATORY CASE. Aula Virtual [online]. 2025, vol.6, n.13, e582.  Epub Nov 19, 2025. ISSN 2665-0398.  https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17457519.

This study evaluated hazardous waste (HW) management in the laboratories of the School of Agroindustrial Engineering. Checklists, surveys, and direct observations were applied in the Biology and Microbiology (LBM), Biochemistry and Agroindustrial Product Analysis (LBAPA), and Agroindustrial Processes (LPA) laboratories. The situational diagnosis revealed critical deficiencies in segregation, central storage, and final disposal, with most stages rated as deficient or very deficient. Waste characterization showed that liquid chemical residues (alcohols, solvents, strong acids, hydrocarbons) were the most frequent and hazardous, while biological residues concentrated in LBM posed risks of infectiousness and allergenicity. Knowledge levels among staff and students were adequate in identifying and handling HW but limited in understanding institutional regulations and in receiving formal training. These findings highlight the need for standardized protocols, continuous training, and improved infrastructure to ensure safe and sustainable HW management in university settings.

Keywords : Hazardous waste; University laboratories; Environmental management; Biosafety.

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