Instead use a more environmentally friendly alternative, like Midori Green!
Midori Green Nucleic Acid Staining Solution is a new and safe alternative to traditional ethidium bromide(EtBr) stain for detecting dsDNA, ssDNA and RNA in agarose gels. Nearly identical to EtBr in performance and use, Midori Green is much less harmful to living organisms. As compared with EtBr, which is known as a strong mutagen, Midori Green causes many fewer mutations in the Ames test. When compared with spontaneous mutations caused by water in the Ames test, Midori green rate was only slightly beyond the standard deviation range. In addition (and in contrast to EtBr), Midori Green scores negative in the mouse bone marrow micronucleus test [link to chart on safety sheet] and in the chromosome aberration test which indicates it’s considered non-carcinogenic. And for those who prefer to be safe, rather than sorry, Midori Green has been tested for latex/nitrile glove penetration, in which both materials show negative results, even after 6 hrs of exposure. Most importantly, Midori Green is not considered hazardous waste, and can be disposed of according to standard laboratory procedures.