Which of the following is the correct procedure for disposing of CuSO4 (copper(II) sulfate) at the end of a laboratory experiment?

• A. Dispose of the CuSO4 solution in the designated heavy metal waste container.
• B. Evaporate the CuSO4 solution in a fume hood and discard the residue in regular trash.
• C. Pour the CuSO4 solution down the sink with plenty of water.
• D. Dilute the CuSO4 solution and pour it into a regular trash bin.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that copper(II) sulfate (CuSO4) is a heavy metal compound and heavy metals require special disposal methods due to their toxicity and environmental impact.
2. Recognize that disposing of heavy metal solutions down the sink or in regular trash can contaminate water supplies and soil, which is unsafe and against laboratory safety protocols.
3. Identify that the proper disposal method involves collecting the CuSO4 solution in a designated heavy metal waste container, which is specifically designed to handle and treat hazardous metal waste safely.
4. Avoid procedures like evaporating the solution to dryness in a fume hood and discarding the residue in regular trash, as the solid residue still contains toxic heavy metals and must be treated as hazardous waste.
5. Conclude that the correct procedure is to dispose of the CuSO4 solution in the designated heavy metal waste container to ensure environmental safety and compliance with laboratory regulations.