Chemical Waste Disposal

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Chemical Waste Disposal
At Purdue
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The chemical waste in the US is regulated
differently depending on

• where it comes from.

• how much waste is produced.

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Topics

• Definition
• Compatibility
• Collection
• Tracking
• Labeling

• Segregation
• Satellites (!?)
• Getting rid of it
• Quickly

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Define Hazardous Waste

• First it has to be waste.
• Then it has to be either

• ignitable
• corrosive
• reactive
• toxic

• hazardous by characteristic

• or a listed waste material (listed by name or
  by source) in the regulations

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IS IT WASTE?
How to tell if something is HW 1

• If its not a waste
• then it cant be a hazardous waste.

Waste material intended for disposal(simplifie
d definition)
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IS IT HAZARDOUS?
How to tell if something is HW 2

• If its not hazardous (by characteristic or
  listing),
• then it is not a hazardous waste.

If its waste but not hazardous, its . not
hazardous waste!
If its hazardous but not waste, its .
not hazardous waste!
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Listed waste examples

• any waste mixture containing 10 or more xylene,
  acetone, ethyl acetate, ethylbenzene, ethyl
  ether, methyl isobutyl ketone, n-butyl alcohol,
  cyclohexanone, methanol, or any combination(F003
  waste)
• unused p-Nitroaniline (P077 waste)

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Characteristic HW is either

• Corrosive pH gt12 or pH lt 2.5
• Ignitable 4-part definition which includes most
  strong oxidizers!
• Reactive 8-part definition focuses on reactivity
  with air or water producing high energy or toxic
  gas.
• Toxic leachate from TCLP test (EPA method 1311)
  contains toxins in the D004 D043 list, handout
  p. 24.

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SO MANY RULESSo Many Different Cases

• Friendly folks at REM-HMM will answer all
  questions.
• And then you do what they say.
• If a new or changed situation arises, ask more
  questions
• Return to step 1.

40121 Chem waste Bio waste questions
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Chemical Compatibility

• Evaluate compatibility of wastes BEFORE mixing
  them together.
• Where possible, neutralize strong acids/bases,
  react reactives, reduce oxidizers, oxidize
  reducing agents. AS A PART OF YOUR PROCESS.

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Collecting Waste Mixtures

• Collect in appropriate containers segregate
  hazards
• Acids typically dissolve metals.
• Some solvents dissolve some plastics.
• HF and strong caustic etch glass
• Dont mix radioisotope and chemical waste.
• Keep all mercury separate.

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Chemical Tracking
On log sheet of every waste container

• All ingredients are to be listed.
• EPA-regulated items will be named, waste
  characteristics made clear.
• Compatibility questions answered.
• Your group waste manager will be able to do the
  job well.

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Toxic characteristic chemicals names must always
be noted.

• See your handout p. 24

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Toxic characteristic chemicals names must be
includedon label and pickup request.

• Any trace of any of those chemicals must be
  mentioned in the waste name(the chemical
  description on the pickup form and contents
  on the waste label.)

• Other characteristics must also be made obvious
  in the name ignitability, corrosivity,
  reactivity.

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Container Labeling

• Manufacturers label is fine for unwanted
  store-bought chemicals.
• For all chemicals mixtures not in
  manu-facturers container
• Contents - no abbreviations,no symbols, no
  formulae.
• Percentages must add to 100.
• This orange label is not required, but is widely
  recognized and used.

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Segregation Compatibility

• Segregate as for regular chemical storage
• Acids separate from Bases
• Oxidizers not close to Organics
• Water-Reactives away from water.
• Mix only compatible chemicals.
• Use only compatible waste containers.

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Satellite Accumulation Areas (its the jargon
of the business know it)

• Container(s) must be
• at/near point of generation of the waste, under
  generators control,
• marked with words Hazardous Waste, and contents
  identified,
• in good condition,
• compatible with the waste,
• kept closed securely,
• stored and handled in such a way as to avoid
  rupture or leakage,
• And.

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Satellite Accumulation Areas continued
7. If accumulation gets to gt55 gallons, or gt 1
qt of acute hazardous waste it must be moved to
the permitted waste facility (LMSB) within three
(3) days. 8. Generator (person generating waste)
must demonstrate a good faith effort to
minimize waste
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Ensuring That Your Waste Leaves Quickly

• On Pickup Form
• Fill out correctly, neatly, legibly.
• Questions? Call 40121.
• Labels must match pickup request names.

• In the Lab
• Sealed, clean, correct containers.
• Area and waste are safe for REM people.

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Pickup request
1. This one gallon jarcontains three broken
mercury thermometers, with some paper towels and
a couple of gloves.
Write a line on the waste pickup request for it.
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Pickup request continued
2. There are three 1 lb bottles of unused
sodium thiosulfate.
Write a second line on your waste pickup for
these.
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Pickup request continued
3. Waste container (4 L) log sheet says
Write a third line on your waste
pickup for this.
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Answer to Ex 1
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Answer to Ex 2
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Answer to Ex 3
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TURN IN YOUR PAPERS

• THANKS
• Watch the website for practice final exam and
  instructions.
• Next week is last class. BE THERE.