Guidance For Disposal of Laboratory Chemical Wastes: Chemical Waste Is A
Guidance For Disposal of Laboratory Chemical Wastes: Chemical Waste Is A
Guidance For Disposal of Laboratory Chemical Wastes: Chemical Waste Is A
factories). Chemical waste may fall under regulations such as COSHH in the United Kingdom, or
the Clean Water Act and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act in the United States. In the
U.S., the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA), as well as state and local regulations also regulate chemical use and
disposal.[1] Chemical waste may or may not be classed as hazardous waste. A chemical
hazardous waste is a solid, liquid, or gaseous material that displays either a “Hazardous
Characteristic” or is specifically “listed” by name as a hazardous waste. There are four
characteristics chemical wastes may have to be considered as hazardous. These are
Ignitability, Corrosivity, Reactivity, and Toxicity. This type of hazardous waste must be
categorized as to its identity, constituents, and hazards so that it may be safely handled and
managed.[2] Chemical waste is a broad term and encompasses many types of materials. Consult
the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), Product Data Sheet or Label for a list of constituents.
These sources should state whether this chemical waste is a waste that needs special disposal.[3]
Contents
Innocuous aqueous waste (such as solutions of sodium chloride) may be poured down the sink.
Some chemicals are washed down with excess water.[3] This includes: concentrated and
dilute acids and alkalis, harmless soluble inorganic salts (all drying agents), alcohols containing
salts, hypochlorite solutions, fine (tlc grade) silica and alumina. Aqueous waste containing toxic
compounds are collected separately.
Waste elemental mercury, spent acids and bases may be collected separately for recycling.
Waste organic solvents are separated into chlorinated and non-chlorinated solvent waste.
Chlorinated solvent waste is usually incinerated at high temperature to minimize the formation
of dioxins.[4][5] Non-chlorinated solvent waste can be burned for energy recovery.
In contrast to this, chemical materials on the "Red List" should never be washed down a drain.
This list includes:[3] compounds with transitional metals, biocides, cyanides, mineral
oils and hydrocarbons, poisonous organosilicon compounds, metal
phosphides, phosphorus element, and fluorides and nitrites.
Moreover, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prohibits disposing certain materials
down any UVM drain.[6] Including flammable liquids, liquids capable of causing damage to
wastewater facilities (this can be determined by the pH), highly viscous materials capable of
causing an obstruction in the wastewater system, radioactive materials, materials that have or
create a strong odor, wastewater capable of significantly raising the temperature of the system,
and pharmaceuticals or endocrine disruptors.
Broken glassware are usually collected in plastic-lined cardboard boxes for landfilling. Due to
contamination, they are usually not suitable for recycling. Similarly, used hypodermic needles are
collected as sharps and are incinerated as medical waste.
Container compatibility[edit]
When disposing hazardous laboratory chemical waste, chemical compatibility must be
considered. For safe disposal, the container must be chemically compatible with the material it
will hold. Chemicals must not react with, weaken, or dissolve the container or
lid. Acids or bases should not be stored in metal. Hydrofluoric acid should not store
in glass. Gasoline (solvents) should not store or transport in lightweight polyethylene containers
such as milk jugs. Moreover, the Chemical Compatibility Guidelines should be considered for
more detailed information.[8]
For packaging, chemical liquid waste containers should only be filled up to 75% capacity to allow
for vapour expansion and to reduce potential spills which could occur from moving overfilled
containers. Container material must be compatible with the stored hazardous waste. Finally,
wastes must not be packaged in containers that improperly identify other nonexisting hazards.
In addition to the general packaging requirements mentioned above, incompatible materials
should never be mixed together in a single container. Wastes must be stored in containers
compatible with the chemicals stored as mentioned in the container compatibility
section. Solvent safety cans should be used to collect and temporarily store large volumes (10–
20 litres) of flammable organic waste solvents, precipitates, solids or other non-fluid wastes
should not be mixed into safety cans.
Labelling[edit]
Label all containers with the group name from the chemical waste category and an itemized list
of the contents. All chemicals or anything contaminated with chemicals posing a significant
hazard. All waste must be appropriately packaged.[10]
Storage[edit]
When storing chemical wastes, the containers must be in good condition and should remain
closed unless waste is being added. Hazardous waste must be stored safely prior to removal
from the laboratory and should not be allowed to accumulate.[9] Container should be sturdy and
leakproof, also has to be labeled.[11] All liquid waste must be stored in leakproof containers with a
screw- top or other secure lid. Snap caps, mis-sized caps, parafilm and other loose fitting lids are
not acceptable. If necessary, transfer waste material to a container that can be securely closed.
Keep waste containers closed except when adding waste. Secondary containment should be in
place to capture spills and leaks from the primary container, segregate incompatible hazardous
wastes, such as acids and bases.[12]
The most visible civilian use of uranium is as the thermal power source used in nuclear power plants
See also[edit]
Industrial waste
List of waste types
Municipal solid waste
Radioactive waste
Toxic waste
Waste management
Water pollution
References[edit]
1. ^ Hallam, Bill (April–May 2010). "Techniques for Efficient Hazardous Chemicals Handling
and Disposal". Pollution Equipment News. p. 13. Archived from the original on 8 May
2013. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
2. ^ "LABORATORY CHEMICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES" (PDF).
Environmental Health and Radiation Safety University of Pennsylvania. Archived
from the original (PDF) on 24 August 2015. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
3. ^ Jump up to:a b c "Waste - Disposal of Laboratory Wastes (GUIDANCE) | Current Staff |
University of St Andrews". www.st-andrews.ac.uk. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
4. ^ Shibamoto, T; Yasuhara, A; Katami, T (2007). "Dioxin formation from waste
incineration". Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. 190: 1–
41. doi:10.1007/978-0-387-36903-7_1. ISBN 978-0-387-36900-6. PMID 17432330.
5. ^ Europa. "Waste incineration". Retrieved 10 March 2016.
6. ^ "Chemical Waste Management | Environmental Health and Safety at
UVM". www.uvm.edu. Archived from the original on 2016-01-31. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
7. ^ "Chemical Compatibility and Segregation Guides". orf.od.nih.gov. Retrieved 2016-02-
12.
8. ^ "How to Store and Dispose of Hazardous Chemical Waste". blink.ucsd.edu.
Retrieved 2016-02-12.
9. ^ Jump up to:a b "General Requirements". www.ehs.utoronto.ca. Retrieved 2016-02-19.
10. ^ Laboratory, National Research Council (US) Committee on Prudent Practices in the
(2011-01-01). "Management of Waste". Retrieved 10 March 2016.
11. ^ "Laboratory Waste Disposal" (PDF). Retrieved 10 March 2016.
12. ^ "PROCEDURES FOR LABORATORY CHEMICAL WASTE DISPOSAL" (PDF).
Memorial University. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
13. ^ "SIS Specialized Information System". United States National Library of Medicine.
Retrieved 11 August 2010.
14. ^ "Toxnet". United States National Library of Medicine. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
15. ^ Environment, Department of Municipal Affairs and. "Uranium in Well Water - Water
Resources Management". www.env.gov.nl.ca. Archived from the original on 2016-04-20.
Retrieved 2016-04-06.
Further reading[edit]
Committee on Prudent Practices for Handling, Storage, and Disposal of Chemicals in
Laboratories, National Research Council (16 September 1995). "7. Disposal of
Waste". Prudent Practices in the Laboratory: Handling and Disposal of
Chemicals (online book). The National Academies Press. pp. 147–150. ISBN 978-0-
309-05229-0.
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