CHAPTER 10 HAZARDOUS MATERIAL DISPOSAL 4.0 DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL WASTE

Transcription

1 CHAPTER 10 HAZARDOUS MATERIAL DISPOSAL 4.0 DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL WASTE 4.1 Introduction Liquid Chemical Waste Streams Chemicals That Require Special Handling Table 2 Shock-Sensitive Compounds Outdated or "Inherently Waste-Like" Chemicals Mercury Hazardous Chemical Spill Chemicals and the Sanitary Sewer Select Agent Toxins Pressurized Cylinders Anesthetic Gas Halogenated solvent Non-halogenated solvent Disposal Method Universal Waste Used Batteries Used Oil Electronic Wastes Procedure for Chemical Pick-Ups Laboratory Clean Out Introduction It is important to provide accurate information when submitting on-line request for chemical wastes. The following section gives an overview on how to segregate and manage chemical waste streams. 4.2 Liquid Chemical Waste Streams When collecting liquid hazardous chemical streams for disposal, make sure that any chemicals to be mixed are compatible. The chemicals are segregated into separate containers for the following categories:

2 Halogenated solvents Non- halogenated solvents Aqueous acid solutions Aqueous basic solutions A record is kept of the volume and contents of each addition to the container. The complete mixture including water is accounted for in solution. When the container is to be disposed of, the volume and concentrations of each chemical are totaled. Submit an Online Chemical Pickup Request Form: An example of the online Chemical Transfer Form is in Appendix A of this chapter. 4.3 Chemicals That Require Special Handling Chemicals that require special handling include peroxide forming compounds, shock sensitive compounds, reactive materials, and strong oxidizing/reducing agents. Peroxide forming compounds are sensitive to light and heat, this class of compounds reacts with air and light to form unstable peroxides. Once opened, stocks of these peroxide forming compounds should be used within the specified time frame. It is essential to indicate the date at the time of opening and dispose of within an acceptable period of time. These compounds can be tested for the presence of peroxides easily with inexpensive test strips. Table 2 lists shock -sensitive compounds from Prudent Practices in the Laboratory: Handling and Disposal of Chemicals by the National Academy of Sciences, Washington, D.C Reactive and strong oxidizing/reducing agents may cause severe reactions when mixed or stored with incompatible materials. These compounds must be handled carefully. Examples of reactive materials include anhydrous aluminum chloride, cyanide compounds, and metal hydrides. Strong oxidizing compounds include perchloric acid, metallic chlorates and nitrates. Strong reducing agents include metallic sulfides and sodium hydride.

3 4.3.1 Table 2 Shock-Sensitive Compounds Classes of Chemicals That Can Form Peroxides Upon Aging Class I: Unsaturated materials, especially those of low molecular weight, may polymerize violently and hazardously due to peroxide initiation. Acrylic acid Tetrafluoroethylene * Acrylonitrile Vinyl acetate Butadiene * Vinyl acetylene Chlorobutadiene (chloroprene) * Vinyl chloride Chlorotrifluoroethylene Vinyl pyridine Methyl methacrylate Vinylidene chloride Styrene Discard at 12 Months Class II: The following chemicals are a peroxide hazard upon concentration (distillation/evaporation). A test for peroxide should be performed if concentration is intended or suspected. Acetal Dioxane (p-dioxane) Cumene Ethylene glycol dimethyl ether (glyme) Cyclohexene Furan Cyclooctene Methyl acetylene Cyclopentene Methyl cyclopentane Diacetylene Methyl-i-butyl ketone Dicyclopentadiene Tetrahydrofuran Diethylene glycol dimethyl ether Tetrahydronaphthalene Diethyl ether Vinyl ethers Discard at 12 Months Class III: Peroxides derived from the following compounds may explode without concentration. Organic Inorganic Divinyl ether Potassium metal Divinyl acetylene Potassium amide Isopropyl ether Sodium amide (sodamide) Vinylidene chloride Discard at 3 Months * When stored as a liquid, the peroxide-forming potential increases and the chemical should then be considered a Class III.

4 4.4 Outdated or "Inherently Waste-Like" Chemicals Chemical containers with obvious signs of degradation such as split caps, accumulation of crystal deposits on the inside or outside of bottles or on shelf surfaces in the storage area; formation of two phases or change in physical state or formation of crystalline structures within liquids, are considered by the U.S. EPA as being inherently waste-like, and should be addressed immediately by discarding the chemical. Some changes are subtle, and not readily noticeable. Become familiar with the chemical and its physical and chemical hazards before using or storing it, and examine your stock occasionally. Chemicals with no labels, abbreviations that are not commonly recognized are unacceptable and should be addressed immediately. 4.5 Mercury Metallic mercury may be found in manometers, thermometers, switches, thermostats, and pressure equipment. Liquid mercury is considered to be hazardous, and cannot be discarded in regular trash. When equipment containing mercury is broken, place contaminated items in a plastic bag and schedule a chemical pickup online. If mercury is spilled, contact EHS at for spill cleanup Hazardous Chemical Spill The specific procedures for cleaning up chemical spills are explained in Chapter 8 Chemical Safety. The yellow card attached to all UTMB badges also contains the emergency guidelines to follow in case of a hazardous chemical spill. 4.6 Chemicals and the Sanitary Sewer Campus interior drains are connected to the sanitary sewer system, and their effluent drains to the City of Galveston Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant. Generally disposal of chemicals down the drain is prohibited by Federal, State, and local laws and regulations. The range of substances that can be considered hazardous waste is enormous, if you are unsure how to manage a chemical contact EHS at ext There are some chemicals that are water-soluble, moderate ph, of low toxicity, and may be safely discarded in the sanitary sewer. Materials appropriate for sewer disposal in limited quantities have to be easily biodegradable or amenable to treatment by the waste water treatment process. Sanitary sewer disposal activities must have prior approval from EHS in the form of documentation otherwise the action of drain disposal of chemical waste is considered illegal. Materials appropriate for sewer disposal in limited quantities must meet the following criteria: Simple salt solutions of low toxicity inorganic substances with a ph range between 6 to 9,

5 Non pathological biological compounds and cellular constituents such as proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, sugars, amino acids, surfactants and many metabolic intermediates, and Other compounds include soluble salt combinations of low toxicity and dilute (less than 10%) aqueous solutions of low molecular weight biodegradable organic chemicals such as alcohols, aldehydes, and carboxylic acids. Do not put the following hazardous materials down a drain: Solutions of ph less than 5.0 or greater than 9.5. Solutions containing heavy metals [e.g., lead, mercury, etc.]. Flammable liquids, halogenated solutions. Aqueous solutions containing 24 percent or more alcohol and having a flash point of less than 60 degrees Celsius (140 degrees Fahrenheit). Anything not miscible with water. Pathogenic tissue specimens (deactivation procedures are listed in Biological Safety section of the Safety Manual), contact EHS prior to disposal to find out if the material is suitable for drain disposal). When in doubt, call Environmental Protection Management at extension Select Agent Toxins Use of select agent toxins require special procedures developed as part of the laboratory high risk plans which are approved through the Chemical Safety Committee. There is more information available in the Chemical Safety Chapter Pressurized Cylinders Aerosol containers may be disposed of in regular trash but not allowed as medical waste. Submit Online Chemical Pickup Request disposal of ethylene oxide cartridges; thin walled cartridges, lecture bottles, and disposable propane cylinders.

6 4.9 Anesthetic Gas Commonly used anesthetic gases: Halogenated solvent Isoflurane (most frequently used anesthetic) Nonflammable liquid at room temperature; when vaporized is 5 to 7 times heavier than air and easily distinguished by its pungent odor. Halothane No longer being manufactured in the U.S. Desflurane Sevoflurane Enflurane Non-halogenated solvent Nitrous oxide Nonflammable gas at room temperature; colorless, sweet tasting, and heavier than air. Ether Colorless and highly flammable liquid with a low boiling point and a characteristic odor. Use of ether as an anesthetic is not approved on campus Disposal Method Saturated canisters (i.e., F/Air, Sodalime or other carbon filters) used in anesthetic gas scavenging systems and charcoal filters placed in laboratory vacuum lines are considered hazardous chemical waste. Place saturated canister into a clear plastic bag with a label anesthetic gas filter hazardous waste. Go online to schedule a chemical pick-up: Because of the volatility of liquid anesthetics, rapid removal by suctioning is the preferred method for cleaning up spills. If absorbed, the waste material should be placed in a clear plastic bag and sealed, properly labeled, and disposed of with other chemical wastes through EPM. Empty anesthetic bottles are not considered regulated waste and may be discarded with ordinary trash. Empty chemical container labels should be obliterated. If you have questions concerning types of chemical waste, please contact EPM at extension Universal Waste Universal wastes are certain hazardous wastes that are so common that the possession is widespread. It is extremely difficult to regulate them as hazardous waste. These substances have a separate set of rules to follow,

7 but are much less complicated. The regulation for universal waste can be found in 40 CFR 273. The following listed substances are considered to be universal waste. Batteries Pesticides Paint and paint related waste Mercury-containing equipment Mercury-containing Fluorescent Lamps It is very important to remember that universal waste is still harmful to the environment. Care must be taken to dispose of them properly. They cannot be thrown away in the trash dumpster Used Batteries Used batteries are commonly generated throughout UTMB. Please follow the procedures below when batteries are collected: Used batteries are to be collected separately by category with terminal ends taped to prevent contact. Collection bins may be a plastic container or cardboard box for each of the following categories: Nickel Cadmium - battery terminals must be taped. (Examples: rechargeable power tool, radio, and camera batteries) Nickel Metal Halide - battery terminals must be taped. (Examples: rechargeable power tool, radio, and camera batteries) Lithium - battery terminals must be taped. (Examples: cell phone, watch, and medical monitoring equipment batteries) Lead Acid - battery terminals must be taped. (Examples: vehicle and computer batteries) Alkaline - battery terminals do not have to be taped. (Examples: pagers and medical equipment batteries) Label all battery collection boxes by specific category, for example "Universal Waste Used Lithium Batteries and include the start date when collection began. Once container is full, please schedule an online chemical pick up request at Used Oil Used oil and filters are collected in the universal waste areas; however they are not considered a universal waste. Oil spill prevention regulations are part of the Clean Water Act and require UTMB to have a plan in place identifying responsibilities and control measures to minimize the possibility of spills or releases to Galveston Bay.

8 Used oil containers that are 42 gallons or greater require secondary containment for storage Electronic Wastes Electronic devices such as computers, cell phones, fax machines, wireless devices, and other electronics contain heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium. These items should be handled in an environmentally responsible manner. UTMB has an asset-management program in place for capital electronic items. The information below is provided for how electronic wastes are managed. 1. Any item with a UTMB identification tag must be returned to Inventory through Material Management Warehouse Useable computers are donated to other state entities 2. Broken computers and other electrical equipment are collected by Materials Management Warehouse staff for recycling 3. If your Area generates e-waste and is not managed in the above processes, please collect for recycle through EHS 4. Schedule e-waste pick up requests on-line at: click on the Chemical Waste Pick-up Request and follow the prompts for information needed on the form Procedure for Chemical Pick-Ups Chemical pick-up arrangements are made on-line: Once you complete the required information, this web based form will be submitted to the Environmental Protection Management program and the request will be processed into the next pick-up day. Chemical pick-up days are Wednesday and Friday of each week. Radioactive pick-up days are Tuesday and Thursday. Once submitted, you will receive electronic confirmation of your request. You must have a Radioactive form filled out for each item to be picked up (e.g. one form for <300 day dry solids; on form for stock vials; you may have up to eight stock vials on one form) and signed with an authorized signature for a Radioactive pick up Online Waste Pick-up Request Instructions Complete the required contact information (name, room number, phone number, and building name) Comments section may be used for special request (i.e., return safety can) Chemical pick-ups of <20 items should be entered as a Lab clean out request. At least one item must be listed using TAB key to move between fields. List the chemical identity of the material. No abbreviations or trademark names unless the MSDS is provided.

9 4. Chemical Waste For chemical mixtures in one container: - List all chemicals in the mixture by percent - List the solvent if a solution including water - List the total quantity of the mixture Radioactive Waste For chemical mixtures in one container: - # Bag D s - # SV - # LS Bags 5. Each chemical container must be labeled to identify the contents 6. All chemicals must be in a tight, sealed container, no glass stopper or bottles, etc A radioactive form must be filled out for each box to be picked up and be signed by an authorized person. The person completing the pick-up request is legally responsible for the accuracy of the information provided Laboratory Clean Out A laboratory clean out can occur when relocating a laboratory, closing a laboratory permanently or simply down sizing the chemical inventory. Contact EHS prior to clean out begins for assistance in the process. A two-week or more notice, if possible, would be appreciated. Specific instructions for relocation and closure of laboratories can be found in the Chemical Safety Chapter 8 and the Biological Safety Chapter 9 of this manual. Off Site Clinics: EHS is responsible for providing assistance to off site clinics personnel with disposal arrangements for hazardous chemicals. The Clinics will be responsible for ensuring hazardous materials are stored appropriately, coordinating disposal arrangements through EHS, and assuming the disposal costs.