LABORATORY SAFETY PLAN HAZARDOUS WASTE HAZARDOUS WASTE CHARACTERISTICS

Transcription

1 LABORATORY SAFETY PLAN HAZARDOUS WASTE HAZARDOUS WASTE CHARACTERISTICS The four characteristics for identifying a hazardous waste ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, toxicity, are explained below. Any waste that falls under any of these characteristics is considered to be a hazardous waste, whether or not it is on the list. IGNITABILITY: This characteristic identifies a waste that may cause a fire during routine waste disposal and storage conditions. The flash point test is used most often to identify ignitable wastes. A liquid with a flash point of less that 60 o C is considered an ignitable hazardous waste. CORROSIVITY: This characteristic defines a waste that must be separated from other wastes because if can: 1) extract and make soluble toxic contaminates (especially heavy metals) from other waste materials (ph of < 2.0 or < 12.5), 2) corrode steel waste containers at the rate greater than inches per year. REACTIVITY: Reactivity (or explosivity) identifies wastes that present a hazard because they are unstable or extremely reactive. Such wastes may undergo violent chemical changes or react violently and release toxic fumes when mixed with water. Reactive wastes also are those that explode when subjected to an initiating force. TOXICITY: Toxic waste is defined as any waste that can be harmful to an individual or the environment. PART 1: METHOD OF DISPOSAL METHOD OF DISPOSAL Methods used to manage and dispose of hazardous wastes in the Laboratory include: A. INCINERATION is the most environmentally acceptable method of chemical waste disposal. Combustion of organic materials with excess oxygen at high temperatures for sufficient time results in degradation to elemental constituents or by-products that are easier to handle in an environmentally acceptable manner. In addition to heat, the principle products of incineration are carbon dioxide, water, and oxides of sulfur and nitrogen; depending on what is burned, other volatile materials may also be formed. Nonvolatile products include fly ash and solid residues. Incinerator technology is highly developed; a wide variety of sizes and types of equipment that can be used to handle solids, liquids, and gases are available. Current regulations mandate that such regulations mandate that such units be equipped with secondary treatment devices such as

2 afterburners, scrubbers, electrostatic precipitators, and filters. Incinerators are complex pieces of equipment that require competent operating personnel as well as operating permits. The destruction combustion efficiency must be 99.9%. The following hazardous materials are to be disposed of by incineration: a) Clinical Specimens: 1. All blood specimens and containers, etc., and any materials coming into contact with specimens are discarded into double Red Biohazard bags and sealed. 2. They are removed daily by Housekeeping for incineration b) Clinical Specimens: 1. All tissue specimens received are retained in 10% BSF until final report is signed, they are then placed in biohazard bags and sealed. 2. The bags are boxed and held at room temperature for transport to licensed disposal company. c) Disposal Tubes (Non Glass), Swabs, Pipette Tips, etc. 1. Place in double red sealed biohazard bags. These are collected daily by Housekeeping for incineration. d) Used Syringes or Needles 1. Place in the Red Sharps Disposal Containers 2. When ¾ filled and sealed housekeeping will collect them for disposal. e) Used Pipettes, Glass, or Other Objects with Sharp Edges: 1. Place in the Red Sharp Containers at each bench. 2. When ¾ filled seal, be sure they are closed correctly, housekeeping will collect them for disposal. B. SEWER SYSTEMS AND LIMITATIONS Only water soluble substances should be disposed of in the laboratory sink. Solutions of flammable solvents must be sufficiently dilute that they do not pose a fire hazard.

3 Strong acids and bases should be diluted to the ph 3-10 range before they are poured into the sewer system. Acids and alkalis should not be poured into the sewer drain at a rate exceeding the equivalent of 50 ml of concentrated substance per minute. Most municipalities, if not all, have a sewer use code which sets forth the limitations on discharges into the sewer system. Toxic substances for the purposes of these codes are defined as any substance or substances whether gaseous, liquid or solid, which when discharged to the sewer system in sufficient quantities may tend to interfere with an sewage treatment process, or create a hazard to recreation in the receiving waters of the effluent from the sewage treatment plant. a) DISCHARGES ABSOLUTELY PROHIBITS 1. Construction materials, or viscous substances capable of causing obstruction to the flow in sewers or other interference with the proper operation of the sewerage system. 2. Any gasoline, benzene, naphtha, fuel oil, or other flammable or explosive liquids, solids or gases. 3. Steam or hot water above 150 o Fahrenheit (65 o Centigrade). 4. Any water or waste containing fats, wax, grease or oils whether emulsified or not, in excess of 100 mg/l r containing substances which may solidify or become viscous at temperatures between 33 o Fahrenheit and 105 o Fahrenheit (1 and 65 Centigrade) 5. Any waters or wastes having a ph lower than 3.0 or higher than 10 or having any other corrosive property that might cause damage or hazard to structure, equipment of the sewerage system, or personnel employed in it operations. 6. Any water or waste containing readily releasable cyanide (cyanide released at a temperate of 150 o F (65 o C) and ph 1.5) in excess of 2 mg/l; any water or waste containing total cyanide in excess of 5 mg/l. 7. Coal tar, its derivatives and waste. 8. Any liquids or wastes containing toxic or poisonous substances in sufficient quantities or rate of flow as to injure or interfere with any of the sewage treatment process, to constitute a hazard to human beings or animals, or to create any hazard in the receiving waters. C. LIQUID CHEMICAL WASTES (FLAMMABLE) Liquid chemical wastes are waste solvents that are free of solids and corrosive or reactive substances collected in a common bottle or can, which is taken off site when full. It is essential to consider exactly what mixtures will go into the can and whether the substances involved are compatible (this may include waste from more than on section in the laboratory, should their section s waste solvent bottle be full). Segregation into two or three types of waste is often useful, (e.g. chlorinated solvents, hydrocarbons), as is the use of completely separate bottles for wastes that poses special difficulties. In

4 particular, because chlorinated solvents form hydrogen chloride on combustion, they often must be segregated from materials destined for incineration, as their burning will violate local air pollution ordinances. Generally speaking, separated and well defined waste is easier to dispose of and if an outside contractor is used, is also less expensive. All wastes posing hazards should be so labeled. Some solvents (such as ethers and secondary alcohols) form explosive peroxides on standing. Some reactions can cause explosions directly (e.g. acetone plus chloroform in the presence of a base). Others such as acid base interactions can generate sufficient heat to vaporize or ignite flammable materials such as carbon disulfide. The addition of hot materials can cause the buildup of pressure in a tightly closed solvent container, with the potential for compressive ignition. The acid formed when halogenated solvents are left moist can corrode cans, as can any dissolved corrosive in a discarded mixture. Each section in the laboratory will collect their hazardous wastes in a one gallon bottle, and each container is properly labeled as follows (see attached sheet, also): a) The date collection begin in this container b) Where generation took place, room number c) If the contents are primarily of one material, e.g., Acetone, identify the contents with the name of the material, If the contents are a mixture of materials, give the percentage of each. d) Give the total number of containers. e) Check all of the appropriate hazards. Contact the OH&S Office at , or Slot 617 for disposal. Final disposal includes off site incinerator and landfill. ETHER DISPOSAL Ethyl ether should be disposed when ANY ONE of the following criteria are met: a. Ether has reached the expiration date stamped on the original container. b. One year has expired since the production of ether. The date is stamped on the original container. c. Thirty days has elapsed since the container was opened for the first time. TO DISPOSE OF ETHER: Ether should be Lab. Packed and OH&S called at for disposal. MERCURY DISPOSAL Collect mercury salts into a 4 liter unbreakable container and label with complete waste material I.D. form. Notify the EHS at or Slot 617 for off-site disposal.

5 PART 2: HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL FORM Pathology Department Laboratory Name Label CAUTION - WASTE MATERIAL Attached to a compatible, non-leaking container with a non-leaking sealable closure, the following label when properly completed meets these requirements: A. Identifies and qualifies the chemical components in the containers B. Establishes the date when the filling process began. C. Identifies the hazard(s) associated with the contents of the container D. Identifies the person who served as generator and the location where generation too place. CAUTION WASTE MATERIAL DATE: GENERATOR ID: LOCATION OF GENERATION: NAME OF MATERIAL: FORM: NUMBER OF CONTAINERS: Describe contents giving HAZARD INFORMATION: Components, concentrations, Check all that you think apply and information reference ACIDIC BASIC BIOHAZARD BURNS READILY CARCINOGEN FLAMMABLE NEUTRAL OXIDIZER REACTIVE REDUCER EXPLOSIVE

6 AFFIX ONE LABEL TO EACH WASTE COLLECTION CONTAINER. LABEL INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Enter the date collection began in this container. 2. Enter the generator ID (Pathology & division, e.g. Histology) 3. Give building and room number where generation took place. 4. If the contents are primarily of one material, e.g., Acetone, identify the contents with the name of that material. If the contents are a mixture of materials, give the general name of contents, e.g., Non-halogenated solvents. 5. Form number is used if the pickup is a onetime event. This is the line number of the Pickup Request Form. The entry on the line of the Pickup Request Form should correspond to this Label information. 6. Give the running number of the total number of containers for the line, e.g., 1 of 1 or 2 of Give all the information you can. Estimate concentrations. Any special instructions should be entered here. 8. Check ALL the appropriate hazards. 9. Contact OH&S, Slot 617 for pick up and disposal arrangement.

7 PART 3: GUIDELINES FOR DISPOSAL OF LABORATORY HAZARDOUS WASTES COMPOUND CLASS Hydrocarbons Halogenated hydrocarbons Recoverable halogenated hydrocarbons Other halogenated compounds Alcohols and Phenols Ethers Mercaptans Organosulfer compounds Carbocyclic acids Other organic acids Acid halides and anhydrides Other acids derivatives, ester, anides and nitriles Aldehydes and ketones Amines Nitro compounds Organic peroxides and hydro peroxides Dyes and pigments PREFERRED METHOD OF DISPOSAL Recycling Landfill or some prior hydrolysis with Ethynolic Potassium Hydroxide Dilution with higher boiling point alcohols may be necessary or disposal site or hydrolysis in sewer disposal or landfill except those know to be explosive or decomposition INORGANIC CHEMICALS Chemicals in which neither cation nor anion presents significant hazard. COMPOUND CLASS Soluble compounds Insoluble compounds PREFERRED METHOD OF DISPOSAL Decant into sewer Sanitary landfill

8 Chemical with toxic cationic element Chemical with toxic anionic component Oxidizing agents Metal hydrides Metal sulfides Metal fluorides Inorganic cyanides Metal azides Metal anides Alkaline metals Organometallic chemical Secure landfill or chemical decomposition Reduction and sewer disposal Chemical decomposition Chemical decomposition Chemical decomposition and sewer disposal Chemical decomposition and sewer disposal Chemical decomposition and sewer disposal Dispose of as explosives of chemical decomposition and sewer disposal or secure landfill RECOMMENDED DISPOSAL OF SELECTED LABORATORY CHEMICALS The following are paraphrased from various National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health Administration documents as recommendations for disposal of selected chemicals. The primary hazard to be contained is identified by number in the second column and explained in footnotes to the table. The third and fourth columns respectively identify by number or recommendations for disposing small quantities and large quantities of the material; explanations of each number are given in a footnote. The fifth column lists the EPA Hazardous Waste Number for reference. CHEMICAL NAME PRIMARY HAZARD (footnote) (a) NIOSH Small Quantity (footnote) (b) NIOSH Large Quantity (footnote) (c) Acetaldehyde U001 Acetic Acid Acetic Anhydride Acetonitrile U003 Acrylamide U007 EPA NUMBER Allyl Alcohol P005

9 Ammonia Amyl Acetate Aniline U012 Benzene 5 U019 Bromine Butyl Alcohol U031 Butyl Chromate Calcium Oxide Carbon Tetrachloride U211 Chloroform U044 Chromic Acid, Chromates U032 Cyanide P030 Cyclohexane U056 Diazomethane Dimethyl Formamide Dinitrobenze (all isomers) Ethyl Acetate U112 Ethyl Chloride Ethyl ether 9 1 U117 Ethyl Dibromide 6 6 U067 Ethylene Docj;prode 9 U077 Ethylenediamine Ethylene oxide 1 U115 Formaldehyde 1 U122 Formic acid 2 U123 Heptane D001 Hexane D001 Hydrogen Chloride Hydrogen Peroxide Iodine Isobutyl Alcohol U140 Isopropyl Alcohol Lead K046

10 Liquified Petroleum Gas D001 Mercury (inorganic) K106 Methyl Acetate Methyl Acrylate Methyl Alcohol U154 Methyl Chloride U045 Methyl Chloroform U226 Methyl Methacrylate U162 Methylene Chloride U080 Morpholine Nitric Acid D002 Nitrotoluene Octane D001 Osmium Tetroxide P087 Oxalic Acid Pentane D001 Phenol U188 p-phenylene Diamine Phenyl Hydrazine 1 Phosphoric Acid D002 Picric Acid D003 Platinum Salts (soluble) Propane D001 Propyl Alcohol Pyridine U196 Quinone Silica (amorphous) Silver, soluble Ag comp D001 Sodium Hydroxide D002 Sulfuric Acid D002 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane U209 Tetrachloroethylene U210 Tetrahydrofuran U213

11 Toluene U220 O-Toluidine U222 1,1,2-Trichloroethane U227 Turpentine U227 Trupan Blue 20 U236 Uranium compounds Xylene U239 FOOTNOTES A. Primary Hazard of Chemical: 1. Irritant 2. Severe Irritant, Corrosive 3. Asphysicant 4. Neutrotoxin 5. Asphyxiant; Bone marrow suppressant 6. Narcotic; Hepatotoxin and/or Nephrotoxin 7. Irritant; Possible Carcinogen 8. Hepatotoxin 9. Narcotic 10. Narcotic; produces Acidosis and Blindess 11. Pulmonary fibrosis 12. Soft tissue Accumulation B. Recommendations by NIOSH/OSHA for Disposal of Small Quantities of Chemical: 1. Absorb onto paper towels, evaporate in fume hood and burn towels. 2. Burn in fume hood. 3. Ventilate area. 4. Absorb onto vermiculite, dry sand, earth, or similar material and dispose in sealed containers in secure sanitary landfill 5. Treat in cyanide disposal system; dispose in secured sanitary landfill 6. Burn in suitable combustion chamber equipped with effluent cleaning device. 7. Collect with approved mercury collection system; dispose in sealed containers in secured sanitary landfill 8. Neutralize and flush with copious quantities of water 9. Dispose only by explosive experts. C. Recommendation by NISH/OSHA for Disposal of Large Quantities of Chemical: 1. Atomize in suitable combustion chamber equipped with effluent cleaning device. 2. Atomize in suitable combustion chamber equipped with effluent cleaning device or neutralize with caustic soda and flush into sewer.

12 3. Atomize in suitable combustion chamber equipped with effluent cleaning device or absorb onto vermiculite, dry sand, earth, or similar material and dispose of in sealed containers in secured landfill. 4. Dissolve in flammable solvent if necessary and atomize in suitable combustion chamber equipped with effluent cleaning device.