LABORATORY CHEMICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES Revisin: July, 2011 EHRS Envirnmental Health & Radiatin Safety 3160 Chestnut Street, Suite 400 Philadelphia, PA 19104-6287
Cntents 1. Overview... 3 2. When is Hazardus Waste Regulated?... 3 3. What is Hazardus Waste?... 3 4. Hazardus Chemical Waste Determinatin... 5 5. Essential rules fr managing hazardus chemical materials... 5 5.1 Waste Minimizatin... 5 5.2 String waste in the lab (Satellite accumulatin)... 6 5.3 Cntainer Management in SAA s... 7 5.4 Waste Cntainers... 7 5.4.1 Prperly labeling waste cntainers... 8 5.5 Drain dispsal... 11 6. Waste Streams with Special Prcedures... 11 6.1 Unknwn materials... 11 6.2 Perxide frming chemicals... 11 6.3 Waste Oil... 13 6.4 Gas Prducing Waste Streams... 13 6.5 Cmpressed Gas Cylinders... 14 6.6 Lecture bttles... 14 6.7 Aldrich Sure Paks... 15 6.8 Mercury cntaining items... 15 6.9 Mixed waste... 16 6.10 Empty cntainers... 16 6.11 Dispsal f Chemically Cntaminated Needles & Syringes... 17 6.12 DEA Cntrlled substances dispsal... 17 General Infrmatin:... 17 Lists f cntrlled substances:... 17 Dispsal prcedures:... 17 DEA Cntact Infrmatin:... 18 6.13 Refrigerants in equipment... 18 6.14 Battery recycling... 19 6.15 Nn-hazardus Waste Dispsal... 19 7. Requesting a chemical waste pickup... 19 8. Waste Supplies... 19 9. Training Requirements... 19
10. Cmmn Federal & State VIOLATIONS... 20 11. What Happens t all f the waste?... 20 12. Chemical Spill Prcedures... 21 13. Frequently Asked Questins... 21 14. Lab Clseut Prcedures... 21 15. Appendices... 21 Appendix A... 21 Appendix B... 21 Appendix C... 21 1. Overview EHRS is respnsible fr the develpment and implementatin f prper management practices fr all aspects f the handling, strage, and dispsal f chemical wastes that are generated at the University f Pennsylvania. Our gal is t manage chemical wastes in a safe and envirnmentally sund manner that cmplies with all applicable federal, state and lcal regulatins. 2. When is Hazardus Waste Regulated? Hazardus waste is regulated frm the mment it is generated inside the lab until it reaches its final destinatin fr dispsal r treatment at an ffsite facility. 3. What is Hazardus Waste? A hazardus waste is a slid, liquid, r gaseus material that displays either a Hazardus Characteristic r is specifically listed by name as a hazardus waste. Characteristic wastes are nt listed specifically by their chemical name but they are regulated as hazardus wastes because they exhibit ne r mre hazardus characteristics. These fur characteristics are Ignitability, Crrsivity, Reactivity, and Txicity.
The Ignitability characteristic applies t wastes that are: Liquids with a flash pint less than 140 F Slids capable f spntaneus cmbustin under nrmal temperature and pressure Oxidizing materials Ignitable cmpressed gases Examples include ethanl, sdium nitrate, hydrgen gas, xylene and acetne The Crrsivity characteristic applies t wastes that are: Aqueus slutins with a ph less than r equal t 2 r greater than r equal t 12.5 This des nt apply t slid r nn-aqueus materials Examples include hydrchlric acid, nitric acid, and sdium hydrxide The Reactivity characteristic applies t the fllwing: Materials that react vilently r generate txic fumes when mixed with water Cyanide r sulfide bearing wastes which evlve txic fumes when mixed with acids r bases Materials that are nrmally unstable r explsive Examples include sdium metal, reactive sulfides, ptassium cyanide and picric acid The Txicity Characteristic applies t wastes that have the ptential t cntaminate grundwater if imprperly dispsed f. These materials are regulated as hazardus waste due t their ptential t leach ut specific txic substances in a landfill. There are currently 40 cntaminants n the list that include certain heavy metals, pesticides and rganic cmpunds. EPA HWN. Cntaminant Level (mg/l) EPA HW N. Cntaminant Level (mg/l) D004 Arsenic 5.0 D024 m-cresl 200.0 D005 Barium 100.0 D026 Cresl 200.0 D006 Cadmium 1.0 D027 1,4-Dichlrbenzene 7.5 D007 Chrmium 5.0 D028 1,2-Dichlrethane 0.5 D008 Lead 5.0 D029 1,1-Dichlrethylene 0.7 D009 Mercury 0.2 D030 2,4-Dinitrtluene 0.13 D010 Selenium 1.0 D031 Heptachlr 0.008 D011 Silver 5.0 D025 p-cresl 200.0 D012 Endrin 0.02 D032 Hexachlrbenzene 0.13 D013 Lindane 0.4 D033 Hexachlrbutadiene 0.5 D014 Methxychlr 10.0 D034 Hexachlrethane 3.0 D015 Txaphene 0.5 D035 Methyl ethyl ketne 200.0 D016 2,4-D 10.0 D036 Nitrbenzene 2.0 D017 2,4,5-TP Silvex 1.0 D037 Pentachlrphenl 100.0 D018 Benzene 0.5 D038 Pyridine 5.0 D019 Carbn tetrachlride 0.5 D039 Tetrachlrethylene 0.7 D020 Chlrdane 0.03 D040 Trichlrethylene 0.5 D021 Chlrbenzene 100.0 D041 2,4,5-Trichlrphenl 400.0 D022 Chlrfrm 6.0 D042 2,4,6-Trichlrphenl 2.0 D023 -Cresl 200.0 D043 Vinyl chlride 0.2
What is a listed Hazardus waste? Unused r unpened chemicals will meet the definitin f a listed hazardus waste if they appear n ne f tw lists. The U-list cntains materials that are hazardus due t their txicity. The P-list cntains materials that are hazardus because they are acutely txic. These lists nly apply t unused materials that have ne f the listed chemicals as the sle active ingredients. The list als applies t spill cleanups f these unused materials. The cmplete U and P lists are included in Appendix A and B f this manual. Additinally, certain used r spent slvents can be regulated as a hazardus waste if they appear n the F-list. This list is included in Appendix C f this manual. 4. Hazardus Chemical Waste Determinatin The characteristics f hazardus waste include ignitability, crrsivity, reactivity and txicity. In additin, chemicals included n the U-list, P-list and F-list are cnsidered hazardus. This infrmatin is presented t prvide a general understanding f the federal and state regulatins that apply t the dispsal f hazardus waste. EHRS staff assumes respnsibility fr picking up all f the waste chemicals frm yur labratry and fr making the final hazardus waste determinatin and apprpriate dispsal methdlgies. 5. Essential rules fr managing hazardus chemical materials 1. When pssible, seek ways that will minimize the quantity f waste generated inside the labratry. 2. Only use apprpriate cntainers fr the strage f waste materials (Plastic is preferred). 3. Stre chemical waste in a designated Satellite Accumulatin Area. 4. Prperly label all waste cntainers. 5. Keep waste cntainers clsed. 6. Cntact EHRS fr pick-up. 5.1 Waste Minimizatin The University is required by Federal and State regulatins t develp and implement a Waste Minimizatin Strategy. Ways t help achieve the gal f reducing the vlume f chemical waste generated n campus includes but is nt limited t: 1. Practice the cncept f Surce Reductin by simply rdering the smallest quantity f chemical materials required fr yur research. 2. Keep an inventry f chemicals n hand. 3. Share surplus chemical with ther labs. 4. Purchase mercury-free instruments.
5. Substitute hazardus chemicals with nn-hazardus chemicals whenever pssible. 6. Reduce the scale f labratry experiments t reduce the vlume f waste being prduced whenever pssible. 5.2 String waste in the lab (Satellite Accumulatin) Each lcatin n campus that generates and temprarily stres chemical waste is a Satellite Accumulatin Area. There are specific requirements n managing chemical waste within these areas. T begin, pst this chart at yur Satellite Accumulatin Area. It is als available frm EHRS Satellite Accumulatin Area Requirements Only a maximum f 55-gallns f hazardus waste may be stred within any Satellite Accumulatin Area. In the case f acutely txic chemical waste (P-list), a maximum f ne quart may be accumulated at a time. Sme cmmn P-list chemicals are sdium azide, smium tetrxide, sdium cyanide. Once either limit is reached, EHRS must remve the material frm yu labratry within 3 days.
Strage limits Hazardus waste cntainers may be stred in a Satellite Accumulatin Area fr up t 12 mnths frm the day waste was first placed int the cntainer as lng as the accumulatin limits f 55- gal r 1-quart fr are nt exceeded. The lcatin f the Satellite Accumulatin Area must be at r near the pint where the waste is generated. Waste must nt be generated in ne rm and taken t anther rm fr strage. 5.3 Cntainer Management in SAA s Waste cntainers stred in a Satellite Accumulatin Area must be: In gd cnditin Cmpatible with the waste being stred Kept clsed at all times except when filling Labeled with a green chemical waste label Stred inside secndary cntainment bins (prvided by EHRS fr n charge) Original cntainers f unused materials d nt need a green waste label if the riginal label is clearly legible Waste must always remain in the lab Never stre waste in PUBLIC AREAS (such as hallways) 5.4 Waste Cntainers Fr mst large quantities f cmpatible liquid waste, use the 5 galln carbys prvided by EHRS free f charge. One galln cntainers are als available fr smaller vlumes f waste. 1-galln bttle 19-Liter carby
5.4.1 Prperly labeling waste cntainers All waste cntainers must have a green chemical waste label affixed at the time waste is first placed int the cntainer. The cntact infrmatin and chemical cnstituents must als be entered at this time. Chemical percentages must be cmpleted when the cntainer is filled. Dn t use chemical symbls, abbreviatins, r cdes fr waste identificatin.
Waste cntainers must be prperly labeled and placed int secndary cntainment When shuld yu label yur waste cntainer? The Cntact, Waste stream & Chemical cnstituents sectins must be cmpleted when waste is first placed int the cntainer. The chemical percentages must be added later. The date filled must be cmpleted when the cntainer is full and a pickup request has been submitted. Why is labeling s imprtant? EHRS staff members need this infrmatin t decide hw t safely manage the material. Envirnmental laws require the generatr t label chemical waste materials. Chemical cnstituents must be knwn t allw us t dispse f chemicals with minimal cst and impact t the envirnment. EHRS staff members cnslidate the cntents f abut 300 five galln carbys each mnth. We cannt perfrm this task safely withut knwing exactly what is in each cntainer.
Many chemicals are pured tgether int drums. Other chemicals are packaged tgether based n cmpatibility.
5.5 Drain dispsal Hazardus chemicals must never be pured dwn the drain as a methd f dispsal. Cntact Jim Crumley f EHRS if yu have specific questins abut drain dispsal. 6. Waste Streams with Special Prcedures 6.1 Unknwn materials Unknwn waste materials must be managed as hazardus waste until testing is perfrmed by EHRS staff. Cntainers f unknwn materials must be labeled with a green chemical waste label. Please prvide any available infrmatin abut what the material culd ptentially be. 6.2 Perxide frming chemicals Overview Perxide-frming chemicals are a class f materials that have the ability t frm shck-sensitive explsive perxide crystals. Under nrmal strage cnditins the materials listed in this sectin have the ptential t generate and accumulate perxide crystal frmatins. These frmatins may vilently detnate when subjected t thermal r mechanical shck.
Labeling Requirements All bttles f perxide-frming chemicals must have the date received marked n the cntainer. When the bttle is first pened, the cntainer must be marked with the date pened. Example Label Perxide-Frming Chemical Date Received: Date Opened: Strage and Use Requirements D nt stre perxide-frming chemicals in direct sunlight as light can accelerate the chemical reactins that frm perxides. If the perxide-frming chemical is flammable and requires refrigeratin, then an explsin-prf refrigeratr must be used. D nt distill, evaprate r cncentrate a perxide-frming chemical until yu have first tested it fr the presence f perxides. (Perxides are usually less vlatile than their parent material and will tend t cncentrate in the ht distillatin pt). NEVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES tuch r attempt t pen cntainer f a perxide-frming liquid if there are whitish crystals arund the cap and/r in the bttle. The frictin f screwing the cap may detnate the bttle. If yu encunter such a bttle, cntact the ffice f Envirnmental Health and Radiatin Safety immediately fr remval. DO NOT TOUCH OR MOVE THE SUSPECT BOTTLE YOURSELF FOR ANY REASON. Dispsal Requirements There are three classes f perxide-frming chemicals based upn the perxide frmatin hazard: Class A Severe Perxide Hazard Class B Cncentratin Hazard Class C Shck and Heat Sensitive Perxide Frming Chemical Lists Class A Severe Perxide Hazard These are chemicals that frm explsive levels f perxides withut cncentratin. These materials shuld be dispsed f after 6 mnths. Isprpyl ether Sdium amide Butadiene Tetraflurethylene Chlrbutadiene(chlrprene) Divinyl acetylene Ptassium amide Vinylidene chliride Ptassium metal
Class B Cncentratin Hazard These chemicals are a perxide hazard n cncentratin (distillatin/evapratin). Require external energy fr spntaneus decmpsitin. These materials shuld be dispsed f after ne year. Acetal Cumene Cyclhexane Cyclctene Cyclpentene Diacetylene Dicyclpentadiene Diethylene glycl dimethyl ether (diglyme) Diethyl ether Dixane (p-dixane) Ethylene glycl dimethyl ether (glyme) Furan Methyl acetylene Methyl cyclpentane Methyl-isbutyl ketne Tetrahydrfuran Tetrahydrnaphthalene Vinyl ethers Class C Shck and Heat Sensitive These chemicals are unsaturated mnmers that may autplymerize as a result f perxide accumulatin if inhibitrs have been remved r depleted. These materials shuld be dispsed f after ne year. Acrylic acid Butadiene Chlrtriflurethylene Ethyl acrylate Methyl methacrylate Styrene Vinyl acetate Vinyl chlride Vinyl pyridine References Prudent Practices in the Labratry (2011). 6.3 Waste Oil Waste il shuld be cllected in a prper waste cntainer fr cllectin by EHRS staff. These ils are cmmnly fund in vacuum pumps and ther types f labratry equipment. If the ils are cntaminated with specific chemicals then please include this infrmatin n the chemical waste label. 6.4 Gas Prducing Waste Streams Several cmmn labratry chemical mixtures tend t prduce gas and must be stred carefully t prevent pressurizing r explding cntainers.
Aqua regia is a mixture f cncentrated Nitric acid (HNO3) & Hydrchlric Acid (HCl) Piranha slutin is a mixture f Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) & Hydrgen perxide (H2O2). All gas prducing wastes must be stred in ply cntainers that have special vented caps. These cntainers with vented caps are available frm EHRS and can be rdered nline frm ur website. Glass cntainers must never be used fr any gas prducing waste streams due t the risk f explsin frm ver pressurizatin. 6.5 Cmpressed Gas Cylinders In general, cmpressed gas cylinders are the prperty f the vendr that delivers and replaces these units fr the labratry. Cmpressed gas cylinders must be returned t the vendr when they are empty r n lnger needed. Cmpressed gas cylinders must be prperly secured t benches r walls with apprpriate strapping at all times while being stred r in use. All cmpressed gas cylinders must be clearly labeled with the cntents. 6.6 Lecture bttles Lecture bttles (small cmpressed gases) are purchased thrugh chemical supply vendrs (such as Sigma Aldrich and Mathesn). EHRS recmmends that researchers attempt t purchase lecture bttles frm vendrs wh will accept partially full r empty cntainers when they are n lnger needed in the lab. Airgas ffers returnable lecture bttles in many cmmn gases thrugh their Saf-T-Cyl prgram. The dispsal f lecture bttles is extremely expensive. If the vendr r supplier will nt accept an unwanted lecture bttle, cntact EHRS t arrange fr its dispsal. Unwanted lecture bttles shuld be remved frm the labratry when they are n lnger needed as they present a genuine cncern fr lng-term strage and management. Empty lecture bttles can als be dispsed f thrugh EHRS. These bttles shuld be clearly labeled with the wrds empty.
6.7 Aldrich Sure Paks Aldrich Sure Paks are small metal cntainers that generally cntain highly reactive liquid materials. Empty Sure Pak cntainers shuld be prperly quenched and labeled accrdingly. EHRS will take the empty quenched cylinders fr recycling. Sure Paks that still cntain prduct can als be dispsed f thrugh EHRS. 6.8 Mercury cntaining items Mercury cntaining items such as thermmeters, thermstat switches and manmeters must be cllected fr prper dispsal and nt placed in the regular trash. Our ffice als ffers a free mercury thermmeter exchange prgram. Additinal infrmatin and exchange requests can be fund n ur website.
Manmeters Thermmeters Switches 6.9 Mixed waste Mixed wastes are prduced when a material is bth a hazardus waste and a radiactive waste. These types f waste are extremely expensive t dispse f. Always cntact EHRS prir t generating these types f waste streams t discuss the dispsal ptins and any charges that yur lab may incur. Uranyl Nitrate is a cmmnly purchased reagent that is classified as a mixed waste since it is radiactive and als an xidizer. Anther cmmn example f mixed waste is any mixture f a lng lived istpe with a flammable slvent r ther material that meets the definitin f a hazardus waste. 6.10 Empty cntainers All empty chemical cntainers must be triple rinsed befre dispsal.* *Empty cntainers that held acutely txic hazardus wastes (P-list) must be managed as hazardus waste and given t EHRS fr dispsal. DO NOT TRIPLE RINSE. Empty cntainers f highly driferus materials like thils r mercaptans must als be given t EHRS fr dispsal t avid creating dr issues in the lab r hallways. Empty cntainers f driferus materials shuld be placed int a bag and stred inside a fume hd until EHRS cllects them fr dispsal.
6.11 Dispsal f Chemically Cntaminated Needles & Syringes Dispse f all chemically cntaminated needles, syringes and razr blades as infectius waste by placing them inside a prper sharps cntainer. These cntainers must be labeled with D Nt Autclave Stickers. The labels are available frm EHRS and must be placed n the utside f the cntainers. Additinal infrmatin can be fund n ur website. Label sharps cntainers cntaining syringes cntaminated with chemicals as Chemical Cntaminated Sharps DO NOT AUTOCLAVE. 6.12 DEA Cntrlled substances dispsal General Infrmatin: The purchase, use, strage and dispsal f cntrlled substances are regulated by the United States Drug Enfrcement Administratin (DEA). Detailed infrmatin relating t cntrlled substances can be fund nline at the DEA Diversin website. Lists f cntrlled substances: If yu are unsure whether r nt the substance(s) yu have is regulated as a cntrlled substance refer t the nline lists at the DEA website. There are five schedule lists f cntrlled substances which can be viewed by schedule r alphabetically. Dispsal prcedures:
The reginal ffice fr the Philadelphia area has recently revised its prcedures fr the dispsal f unwanted/expired cntrlled substances. These materials can n lnger be dispsed f by submitting DEA Frm-41 and then using the nsite witness destructin prcedure. The new prcedure invlves sending unwanted materials t a licensed reverse distributr fr dispsal. The tw cmpanies listed belw can prvide this service and bth cmpanies are set up as apprved University vendrs. Cntact either cmpany and they will send yu a drug return kit that includes all f the apprpriate paperwrk and packaging needed t ship the materials t them. Dispsal pricing will vary depending n the quantity f materials that yu have. Pharma Lgistics Aarn Feldman Accunt Manager 847-837-1224 1050 E. High Street Mundelein, IL 60060 Guaranteed Returns 100 Clin Drive Hlbrk, NY 11741 1-800-473-2138 Cpies f all dispsal dcuments must be kept n file by the DEA registrant. Please cntact Jim Crumley, EHRS Hazardus Materials Specialist, 215-746-5036 if yu require additinal infrmatin. The Philadelphia Field Divisin cntact infrmatin is listed belw. DEA Cntact Infrmatin: Philadelphia Field Divisin William J. Green Federal Building 600 Arch Street, Rm 10224 Philadelphia, PA 19106 (215) 238-5160 - Phne (215) 238-5170 - Fax Central DEA call center - 800-882-9539 6.13 Refrigerants in equipment Many types f labratry equipment cntain refrigerants that must be remved frm the equipment prir t dispsal. Facilities and Real Estate Services can prvide this service. Requests can be made thrugh yu building administratr r thrugh the FRES Service and Maintenance webpage.
6.14 Battery recycling Infrmatin abut recycling batteries can be fund n the EHRS website. 6.15 Nn-hazardus Waste Dispsal There are many chemical reagents and chemical prducts that d nt meet the definitin f a hazardus waste. These materials als can be cllected by EHRS fr prper dispsal alng with yur ther chemical waste streams. 7. Requesting a chemical waste pickup Chemical waste pick-up requests can be made nline using the chemical waste pickup request frm. Waste requests are generally cmpleted within 5-7 business days. If yu have any issues regarding a chemical waste request r have an unusual r large cleanut f chemicals please cntact Jim Crumley, EHRS Hazardus Materials Specialist, 215-746-5036. 8. Waste Supplies The fllwing waste supplies are available frm EHRS free f charge and can be requested nline. 19L carbys Chemical waste labels 1-gal bttles Secndary cntainment bins Satellite Accumulatin Area Sign 9. Training Requirements The fllwing training curses must be taken by all individuals wrking in a labratry and generating chemical wastes.
Intrductin t Labratry Safety. This is initially given as a live training and there is an annual refresher curse that is ffered nline thrugh knwledge link Managing Labratry Waste. This is an nline training ffered thrugh knwledge link Additinal training is required fr anyne invlved in preparing packages f dry ice r ther dangerus gds fr transprt. Click here fr additinal infrmatin abut shipping training. 10. Cmmn Federal & State VIOLATIONS Missing r incmplete labels and pen cntainers are tw f the mst cmmns vilatins fund in research labratries. Waste cntainers must be kept clsed at all times except when waste is being added. All cntainers must be labeled with a prperly cmpleted chemical waste label. Open Cntainer with funnel Prly labeled cntainer 11. What Happens t all f the waste? Mst f the slvent waste generated at Penn is blended with similar materials and is used as a fuel fr the kilns at cement manufacturing plants. We als send many ther waste streams fr recycling. These recycled waste streams include mercury and mercury cntaining equipment, rechargeable batteries, flurescent light tubes & lead. Mst ther chemical reagents are sent fr thermal incineratin at an apprved hazardus waste treatment facility.
12. Chemical Spill Prcedures The prcedures fr handling chemical spills can be fund n the EHRS website. 13. Frequently Asked Questins The answers t many cmmnly asked questins abut chemical waste dispsal can be fund n the EHRS website. 14. Lab Clseut Prcedures If yur labratry is mving lcatins n campus r leaving the University the prcedures fr clsing ut yur labratry can be fund n the EHRS website. 15. Appendices Appendix A U list fr txic materials (External link) Appendix B P list fr acutely txic materials (External link) Appendix C F-list fr spent slvents (External link)