Laboratories

Combinations of incompatible chemicals can react violently or produce toxic byproducts/gases when stored together or mixed. Some chemicals and compressed gases stored at laboratory facilities are flammable, and an ignition source near these materials could cause a fire that spreads and releases other contained materials. Peroxides are sometimes present in labs, and these chemicals are very unstable, reacting to shock, sparks, heat, friction, impact, and light. These types of chemicals can explode. An explosion can cause third-party property damages and bodily injuries, and a fire at the facility could emit toxic fumes and smoke from the materials stored at the site or from a mix of materials that occurs as a result of the fire. Firefighting solutions such as water or foam could create contaminated run-off that spreads to nearby storm drains or properties, resulting in environmental cleanup and tort liability.

Samples of blood, tissue, and other bodily fluids may be tested in a laboratory as part of their services. These can carry infectious organisms, including MRSA, HIV, Hepatitis B and C, E. coli, and other transmissible disease-causing microbes. Adherence to protocols for isolation, handling, and decontaminating these materials is essential to preventing exposure to others and avoiding further spreading the contamination throughout otherwise clean areas. Improperly segregated and disposed of medical wastes generated from these testing operations can result in regulatory fines and third-party bodily injury claims.

Transportation of lab chemicals, hazardous chemical wastes, or medical wastes presents additional pollution risks and public exposures. A release during transit could lead to environmental liability risks for the laboratory as the generator.

Mold, fungi, and other microbial matter can grow and disperse in a facility due to several sources, including leaks or flooding from plumbing, sewer, HVAC, or fire sprinkler systems, poor ventilation, insufficient humidity or condensation controls, and intrusion of stormwater into the building. Mold exposure may pose severe health hazards to building occupants and can absorb into building materials creating cleanup liability.

Laboratories may have emergency generators. These may be diesel-powered and require fuel storage in aboveground or underground storage tanks. Leaks of fuel, exhaust fumes, tank/piping deterioration, and inadequate or no secondary containment can result in a release that contaminates soil and water systems or can enter the facility.

Laboratories may exhaust hazardous gases, dust, mists, and vapors from their operations. If ventilation systems are inadequate or develop issues, then releases could occur that impact third parties, such as other tenants in a multi-tenant building.

Cleaning of lab equipment and containers can generate contaminated wastewater. Lab processes can also generate hazardous and solid wastes. These wastes and wastewaters require proper handling and storage. Spills from storage areas can cause environmental cleanup liability and pose health hazards to third parties. Improperly segregating and disposing of solid, hazardous, or biomedical wastes can result in regulatory fines and lead to cleanup and environmental tort liability.