Wavelength Excitation maxima (unbound): 210 nm, 285 nm, 470 nm Excitation maxima (bound to DNA): 330 nm, 500 nm. Excitation possible via DNA at 254 nm Emission maximum: 605 nm. Ethidium bromide Ethidium bromide is a strong mutagenic and toxic substance. For your own safety, always wear gloves and respiratory protection to prevent contamination when working with this substance. After use, dispose of solutions correctly. They may not be discarded into the environment. The following procedure is recommended (acc. to INSERM, Dossier prevention, Number 2, 2nd Ed., September 88): 1. Collect and dispose of as hazardous waste. 2. Break down EtBr with potassium permanganate and HCI (P. Quillardet, M. Hofnung, Trends Genet . 4,89 [1988]). 3. Break down EtBr with hypophosphoric acid and sodium nitrite (Lunn and Sansone; Analyt. Biochem. 162, 453-458 [1987]). 4. Absorption of EtBr with Amberlite ® XAD-16 (Lunn and Sansone) or with activated carbon (Bensaude, O. Method, Trends Genet. 4, 89-90 [1988]) from the solution. We recomment disposure by SEKUROKA ® Decon-Bags (Art. No. T856) Ethidium bromide solution 1 % 10 mg/ml in water Stock solution for fluorescent detection of nucleic acids. Detection limit: 1.5 ng/mm 2 .