CHEMICAL WASTE DISPOSAL
The responsibility for determining whether a waste is hazardous, and for characterizing the hazard, rests with the waste's generator, who may consult the appropriate LCSS, MSDS, or other published listing.
There are three routes of disposal for your surplus chemicals.
a. Disposal (of certain materials) to the normal trash or sanitary sewer system.
b. Chemical treatment (such as neutralization), followed by disposal to the sanitary sewer system.
c. Risk Management & Safety (RM&S) Department pickup for recycling, incineration, or land filling.
Reduce amounts of chemical waste when appropriate!
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 makes it illegal to improperly manage hazardous wastes. The Act and its subsequent regulations provide for a maximum $25,000 fine for each day of violation and criminal penalties for willful and fraudulent violations. The Act’s emphasis is on waste reduction and recycling.
In order to facilitate waste reduction and reduce hazards associated with chemicals, please:
a. Order Only What You Need
Be sure to check your current stock before ordering chemicals. It may also be possible to borrow small amounts of chemicals from other labs. Order only amount you need.
b. Substitute Non-Hazardous Or Less Hazardous Materials For HazardousOnes
c. Dispose of Nonhazardous Materials Yourself using appropriate treatment when possible
e.g. piranha neutralization, etc.
d. Use Recycled Chemicals Whenever Possible
Periodically, RM&S department distributes a list of recyclable chemicals in the Department newsletter,FlashPoint.
e. Label Opening Date on containers
Definition. Chemical waste is hazardous if it:
a. exhibits certain hazardous characteristics, or
b. is a listed hazardous chemical.
Hazardous Characteristics (according to EPA)
a. IGNITABILITY. A liquid which has a flash point of less than 60 deg C This includes almost all organic solvents. (Ethers, alcohols, acetone, Toluene, Benzene,alkanes, Xylene, Formaldehyde, Ethyl Acetate)
b. CORROSIVITY. An aqueous solution having a pH of less than or equal to 2, or greater than orequal to 12.5. Corrosivematerials like thionyl chloride, solid, sodium hydroxide, etc.
c. REACTIVITY. Chemicals that react violently with air or water, strongoxidizers, chemicals capable of detonation or could generate toxic gases.
d. TCLP TOXICITY.Chemical with an LD50 less than 500 mg/kg or is a carcinogen, mutagen orteratogen.
Waste Disposal:
Contact RM&S 574-631-5037if you have any questions regarding disposal, waste treatment, etc.
In Normal Trash
For list of chemicals that can go into trash, see list.
Through Sanitary Sewer System
In order to dispose of chemicals into the sanitary sewer system, they have to be water soluble, degradable and properly diluted (20 or more times). That includes:
a. aqueous sol. of chemicals that can go in normal trash;
b. dilute, neutral, nonreactive, nonignitable aqueous solution of soluble and nontoxic organics (i.e., <10% solutions; e.g. Allyl Alcohol Propanol, Glycerine, Propylene, Glycol, etc)
c. neutralized acids or bases
Through Chemical Waste pickup
All waste containers have to be labeled with Chemical Discard tag. Only full name of chemical (no abbreviations) on the label. Particularly note if waste contains all of the following:
Halogenated compounds (e.g., CHCl3 , CH2CL2, CCl4, and solutes)
Metals (e.g., Pb, Hb, Ag, Cr)
Sulfur compounds (e.g., CS2, DMSO, and solutes)
Hazardous Chemicals
Solvents
Highly reactive compounds (strong oxidizers, reducer, potential explosives, etc)
Types of Hazardous Wastes
Unknown Chemicals
IMPROTANT!!! Analysis of unknown chemical waste is expensive and all efforts should be made to determine origin of waste. Best possible strategy to avoid formation and accumulation of unknown waste is appropriately labeling all waste. Call RM&S for help if needed to deal with unknown waste.
Aqueous Solutions of Toxic Metals
The concentrations of the following toxic metals are regulated for disposal tothe sanitary sewer (Al, Cr, Se,As, Cu, Ag (<0.4 mg/l),Ba, Pb (2.0 mg/l), Zn, Cd, Hg (<0.02 mg/l)).If metal is only hazardous component, aqueous solutions can be discharged to sewer system after precipitation and filtration of metal(s).
Free-Flowing Metallic Mercury
Package free-flowing mercury in tightly sealed containersfor pickup.A mercury vacuum is available through RM&S
Solutions of Cyanide or Sulfide
Solutions containing cyanide or sulfide compounds release toxic gases under acidic
conditions. Store separately from acids, chemical treatment is possible.
Hazardous Chemicals
Chemicals considered hazardousbecause of their carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, teratogenicity, or other toxicity. See list. Not all toxic chemicals are on this list!!!
Organic Solvents
To qualify as solvent waste should not contain any precipitate!!! Separate halogenated solvents (e.g.,chloroform, carbon tetrachloride and ichloromethane) from nonhalogenated solvents. Don’t put solvent in the sewer system.
Following things should not be mixed with solvents:
Solutions of acids or bases
Aqueous solutions of toxic organic chemicals
Metals (e.g., Sb, As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Pb, Hg, Ni, Se, Ag)
Vacuum pump oil
Sulfides or inorganic cyanides
Strong oxidizers or reducers
Water reactive substances
Unknowns
Large amounts of water
Hazardous Solids
Package according to instructions below.
Potentially Explosive and Other Reactive Chemicals
Package explosive chemicals separatelyfrom other chemicals. Labelclearly as to hazardous characteristics and special handlingprecautions, inform RM&S abouts its nature.
Potentially explosive chemicals include:
Ammonium nitrate, Diazo compounds, Hydrazine compounds, Nitrocellulose, Picric Acid, Peroxide-forming agents (ethers, THF, aldehydes, compounds with benzylic hydrogens, compounds with allyl groups, vinyls)
Peroxide Formation and Safety Tips
1. Exposure of any of the peroxide-forming agents to light or airincrease the rate of peroxide information. Therefore, store theseagents in full, light-tight containers.
2. Refrigeration does not prevent peroxide formation
3. Order small amounts frequently to decrease storagetime.
4. Date new containers when opened.
5. Be particularly cautious with materials of unknown vintage. Do not
attempt to remove caps from containers that may cause sparks..
6. Never distill peroxide-forming solvents unless they are known to be
free of peroxides. Peroxides concentrated in the residue can pose a
serious explosion hazard.
7. Before beginning work with a peroxide-forming agent, determineits peroxide content. Easy-to-use quantitative peroxide test strips areavailable from Scientific Products or Aldrich
8. Dispose of agents containing greater than 80 ppm peroxide. itshouldbe treated prior to disposal. Methods for removal of peroxidesinvolve the addition of reducing agent such as ferrous sulfate (fordiethyl ether peroxides) or sodium metabisulfite (for isopropyl etherperoxides).
9. The treated solvent should be placed in a waste container and theempty container rinsed with water. Most peroxides are watersoluble and the rinsate can be put in the sewer system.
Strong Oxidizers and Reducers, water reactives
Treat/neutralize before disposing!
STRONG OXIDIZERS: Chromic acid (fresh), Metallic chlorates, Metallic nitrates, Metallic perchlorates, Metallic permanganates, Perchloric acid
STRONG REDUCERS: n-Butyl lithium, Calcium hydride, Metallic sulfides Sodium hydride, Stannous chloride
Other Reactives (Including Water Reactives): Acetyl chloride, Bezoyl peroxide,
Bromine, Calcium, Lithium,Potassium, Sodium, Phosphorous (yellow), Thionyl chloride
Labware Contaminated with Toxic Chemicals
Dispose as from toxic solids.
Packaging and Labeling
1. Label each container with completed Chemical Discard Tag
2. Consider chemical compatibility when packaging a variety of items.
3. Put chemicals into closed containers that will not leak.
4. Pack liquids separately from solids.
REFERENCES
a. National Research Council. Prudent Practices for Handling Hazardous Chemicalsin Laboratories (NationalAcademy Press, 2101 Constitution Ave., WashingtonD.C.10418).
in particular:
Overview and Recommendation section for quick overview;
Chapter 7 contains detailed suggestions for various treatment processes to neutralize hazardous waste.
b.RM&S manual,