Aqua Regia Handling and Disposal Procedures

Aqua regia is commonly used to dissolve metals, particularly noble metals such as gold and platinum, for analysis and to clean glassware.  Glassware may also be washed with aqua regia to remove trace amounts of organic compounds. Aqua regia solutions are extremely corrosive and oxidizing and may result in explosion or skin burns if not handled with extreme caution. DO NOT use aqua regia unless it is necessary.  Please consult with your PI or senior lab investigators before you use aqua regia for the first time.