Chemical Waste Disposal - Cornell University · PDF file4 Chemical Waste Disposal Laws...
Transcript of Chemical Waste Disposal - Cornell University · PDF file4 Chemical Waste Disposal Laws...
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Chemical Disposal Training
Cornell University EH&S
Revised Feb 2011, Brian S.
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OBJECTIVE
What EH&S wants you to learn today…
1. What rules and regulations govern waste management
2. Cornell EH&S’s role in assisting you with your wastes
3. Types of waste – specifically hazardous wastes
4. Understanding the satellite accumulation area requirements
5. Procedures for packaging waste for removal from your work spaces
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This Training
This training is tailored to laboratories, research areas and chemical use areas across campus but most of the information is also applicable to hazardous waste management for shop areas as well
Everyone who handles materials that become “Hazardous Waste” has to know:
• How to properly contain / store it
• How to properly identify it
• How to properly get rid of it
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Chemical Waste Disposal
Laws
Federal: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) waste regulations • Rules for waste management are mandated by the
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
State: New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) waste regulations • Must be as/or more strict than Federal Regulations
• EPA will be using the NY version of the regulations
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Why Manage Chemical Wastes
Carefully?
Health and Safety Risks are Real! • Student/Staff/Faculty health & safety are #1
Our goal is to prevent:
Injury to personnel
Damage to the environment
Regulatory compliance violations
Fines to Cornell
It’s a Cornell Health & Safety Policy Requirement (University Policy 2.4)
Cost Effective
Fines and Bad Public Relations
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Result of Mixing Incompatible Wastes
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TRUE STORY Professor pleads guilty to dumping chemical
UW researcher put solvent down sink to avoid paying fee
March 8, 2007 Seattle PI
When a University of Washington professor whose work includes studying the brain, found out that getting rid of potentially dangerous chemicals in his lab would cost $15,000, he decided to find a cheaper way.
The professor in the Department of Pharmacology, dumped ethyl ether down the sink.
He pleaded guilty in federal court in Seattle to pouring the ethyl ether, which can explode or catch fire if handled improperly, down the laboratory sink in June 2006. Prosecutors say the professor then tried to cover up his actions.
He faced a possible 5 years in jail and a $250,000 fine for knowingly disposing of a hazardous waste without a permit.
He was sentenced to three years of probation, 80 hours of community service and a $5,000 fine.
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Cornell EH&S’s Role
EH&S is a technical resource that is
customer focused
EH&S is not an “enforcer” or
“police-type” function
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Cornell’s Haz Waste Program Role
• Pick up waste from your research spaces
• Provide technical advice for the proper
disposal of chemicals
• Minimize disposal costs
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Making the Waste Determination
Is it a waste / is it reusable?
• Talk to your department – others may want it
• Campus-wide surplus chemical exchange
• Chemicals and pickups are free
• Go to:
http://www.ehs.cornell.edu/chem_lab_safety/SurplusChemical.cfm
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Making the Waste
Determination (cont.)
Is it hazardous? • Review label & material safety data sheets
• Ask your Department Safety Representative
(DSR)
• EH&S Website and Chemical Waste Manual
• Contact EH&S
Is it regulated? - Is it a “Hazardous
Waste” as defined by the EPA
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Objective – Determining the
types of hazardous wastes
Is it a “Listed Hazardous Waste?”
Is it a “Characteristic Hazardous Waste?”
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It Is Regulated If . . .
It is a Listed Hazardous Waste as defined in
40 CFR 261 Subpart D & NYCRR 371
• K – Specific source wastes (none at CU)
• F – Non-Specific source wastes
• U – Commercial chemical products, toxic
• P – Commercial chemical products, acutely
toxic
• B – PCB wastes, (NYS code)
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It Is Regulated If . . .
It possesses any of the following hazardous
characteristics as defined by EPA and
NYSDEC
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It Is Regulated If . . .
Flammable examples include:
• Ethanol
• Glacial Acetic Acid
• Toluene
• Xylene
• Acetone
• Ether
• Organics w/ FP <140 F
Oxidizing examples include:
• Nitric & Perchloric Acids
• Ammonium Persulfate
• Potassium Dichromate
• Silver Nitrate
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• ending in “ate”
• beginning with “per”
It is ignitable
ignitable is defined by the EPA as having a flash point of
<140F (flammable) or promoting combustion as an oxidizer
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It Is Regulated If . . .
Corrosive acids include:
• Hydrochloric Acid
• Sulfuric Acid
• Nitric Acid
• Perchloric Acid
• Acetic/Formic/Propionic
Corrosive bases include:
• Potassium Hydroxide
• Ammonium Hydroxide
• Sodium Hydroxide
• Lithium Hydroxide
• ending with “hydroxide”
It is corrosive
corrosive is defined by the EPA as having a pH ≤2.0 or ≥12.5
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It Is Regulated If . . .
It is reactive
It is readily reactive with other chemicals, when exposed to air or water, or is shock sensitive. Will generate toxic gas, heat or may explode.
Examples include
• Hydrides
• Metal Powders, e.g. Lithium, Sodium
• Organic peroxides
• Picric acid
• Carbides
• Aromatic + Nitros
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It contains any of the following metals in any media
(salt, solution, or metal) regulated by ppm (this is not the complete Toxicity Characteristic table)
Arsenic 5.0
Cadmium 1.0
Chromium 5.0
Lead 5.0
Mercury 0.2
Silver 5.0
Selenium 1.0
Barium 100
Or…If it is a
halogenated organic
Chloroform 6.0
Chlordane 0.03
Trichloroethylene 0.5
It is regulated if…
It is toxic… as identified in 40 CFR Subpart C
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Useful or waste?
It Is Regulated If . . .you can’t use it, and
You declare it a
hazardous
waste
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Empty Containers Are Exempt
Regulatory definition of 'Empty' is less than 1% of the
original contents
Triple-rinsing empty containers:
• it is recommended that all empty containers are triple-
rinsed prior to trash disposal
• empty containers that held P-Listed chemicals must be
managed as hazardous waste; or triple rinse the empty
container and manage the rinse as hazardous waste
Other considerations
• where will the container go, who will have contact with
it, could someone be harmed
• will it smell, will warning label scare someone
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Wastes not listed or exhibiting
hazardous characteristics
In many cases if a chemical does
not meet the definition of a
regulated “Hazardous Waste”, it is
may be acceptable to dispose of it in
the regular trash or down the drain
followed by copious amounts of
water.
Radiological and biological wastes
cannot be put in the regular trash.
Contact EH&S at 5-8200 or go to
“Ask EH&S”at www.ehs.cornell.edu
if you have waste disposal
questions.
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Chemical Residue
The following materials may be disposed of in the regular trash:
Used gloves
Bench paper
Pipette tips
If you are using something acutely toxic or highly hazardous – check with EH&S
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Chemical Residue (cont.)
Used Syringes
Any syringe having a needle and requiring disposal,
must be placed in a sharps container.
Syringes without needles that were used for transferring
chemicals should be bagged or boxed and taken to the
dumpster for disposal. Do not throw used syringes in the
laboratory trash can.
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Drain Disposal Limits
Non-Hazardous chemicals acceptable for drain disposal
This is not an all inclusive list
Sugar solutions
Dilute non-toxic salts solutions and physiological saline
Inorganic phosphate or bicarbonate based buffers
Organic buffers at use concentrations
Fresh and spent supernatants rendered non-infectious
Water soluble vitamins
Surfactants in small amounts
Neutralized acids and bases with no other hazardous constituents e.g. toxic metals
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Drain Disposal Limits cont.
Chemicals Unacceptable For Drain Disposal
Hazardous Waste may not be drain disposed. It is a violation of federal law to intentionally dilute or treat a hazardous waste to render it non-hazardous without an EPA permit.
The one exception to this law is described on the next slide.
Refer to Hazardous Waste Manual for Cornell’s full policy
related to drain disposal of chemicals
(www.ehs.cornell.edu/)
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Allowed Treatment in a
Satellite Accumulation Area
Neutralization of Corrosives • only if you are comfortable doing it
5.5 to 9.5 pH for drain
• chromic acid (Chromerge) should be sent out as hazardous waste due to the chromium precipitate
Chemical Deactivation (for non-haz wastes only)
Recyclable/Reclaimable:
• metallic mercury – (shipped for recycling, not treated)
• silver in photographic wastes - campus recycling program managed by EH&S
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Waste Storage Areas
Storage Area types
90-day Accumulation (Time Limit)
Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator (Geneva - Agricultural Experiment Station)
Satellite Accumulation (Volume Limit) 55 Gallons Satellite areas are regulated by volume not time
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Objective – satellite
accumulation area
This training is tailored to personnel working at
Cornell University in satellite accumulation areas
Satellite accumulation is a less burdensome option for managing small volumes of hazardous waste
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New Satellite Accumulation Signs Should Be Posted
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Satellite Accumulation Area
(SAA) Definition
EPA defines a Satellite Accumulation Area as:
• The waste containers must be at or near the point of generation
• The waste containers must be under the control of the operator of the process generating the waste.
(operator = user)
• Current strict interpretation means that a Satellite Accumulation Area = a single room
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Satellite Accumulation Area
Limitations
• Up to 55 gallons of hazardous waste
• There is no time limit until you have 55 gallons of waste
in storage
• Any excess over 55 gallons must be removed in
three days
• Facilities may have as many accumulation areas as
needed provided they are properly maintained
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Satellite Accumulation Area
Requirements
Triggers that bump you from a SAA to a 90 Day Area:
• Storing more than 55 gallons of hazardous waste for more than 3 days
• Collecting hazardous waste from other areas
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Container Labeling
Requirements
Containers must have:
the phrase “Hazardous Waste” written on them
words that identify the contents
Taping a hazardous waste label to a bottle is OK:
the phrase “Hazardous Waste” is already on the label
add contents to the label when the chemical is added
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Container (physical)
Requirements
containers must be in good CONDITION
wastes must be chemically
COMPATIBLE with the container
containers must be CLOSED except when
adding or removing waste
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Are you prepared to
convince the DEC or EPA
that this will be used?
What is this?
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ID: “Hazardous Waste” needed
What’s inside?
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Are These Waste Containers
OK?
Labeling
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Cornell’s
Hazardous
Waste
Label
“Hazardous Waste”
Contents
Hazards
Location and contact
Ready for
disposal date
450mls
Amount
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Does it need a
waste label?
Is the container
open?
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Unless adding to the
container, the cap
must be secure
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Chemical Hygiene
Properly Labeled
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Additionally…
• Storage must be in a Designated SAA
• Secondary Spill Containment
• Defacing original container labels on reused bottles
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Secondary Containment
funnels; residue
blocking hood’s flow
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Also . . . . . . . . . . Segregate by
Hazards
Isolate Reactive & Toxics
Acids from Bases
Organic acids from Oxidizing acids
Organics from Oxidizers
Hazardous Waste Spills
• Many hazardous waste spills can be safely cleaned up
by laboratory staff without the help of EH&S. Only
attempt to clean up incidental spills if you are trained and
have the proper spill cleanup materials available.
• Call 911 for hazardous waste spills outside the cleanup
capability of the area or facility personnel.
• More information on chemical spills response can be
found in Section 5.4 of Cornell’s “Laboratory Safety
Manual” at:
http://www.ehs.cornell.edu/lrs/manual/ch5.cfm#5.4
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Boxing Chemicals for Pick Up
Locations where boxes are stored will be included in the updated Waste Disposal Manual.
Assure boxes are in good condition
Full boxes must stay in the SAA when ready for transport
to 90 Day Accumulation Area
The HazWaste Specialists need to easily locate them
Give us 5-working days, then call if not serviced
UN/DOT Box
Rigid cardboard
Styrofoam inserts
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Other Types of Waste
Managed by Solid Waste Group
Fluorescent light bulbs
Rechargeable Batteries
Requirements
sturdy packaging & proper labeling
accumulation start date & 9-months on
site
Universal Waste
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Other Types of Waste Used Oil
Managed by Solid Waste Group
Requirements: Label containers with
“USED OIL”
the container capacity
Prevent any release to the environment
Do not place in normal refuse containers
Do not mix other waste with Used Oil NOTE: Used oil containing PCB’s are considered Hazardous
Waste in New York State
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Waste Computers and monitors are
separately regulated
Managed by Solid Waste Group
These are regulated because of their high
content of toxic metals such as lead
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Contaminated Waste Label
This label is
used for non
hazardous
wastes or
recyclable
materials that
require special
disposal
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Biohazard/Radioactive
Wastes
Radioactive wastes are picked up weekly
Biohazard wastes are shipped off site for
deactivation and disposal
Contact EH&S for scheduling and pick up at
255-8200, or online scheduling at,
www.ehs.cornell.edu/rad/wasteform.cfm
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Further Thoughts & Services
General Housekeeping – include upkeep of the satellite accumulation area
Discuss safety concerns with your Dept. Safety Rep.
Get to know your HazWaste & Radiation/Med. Waste Technicians
EH&S waste services
• Free and friendly service
• Assist with laboratory clean outs & waste I.D.
• Technical reference for identification & disposal
• RCRA and other laws
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Online Cornell EH&S,
MSDS & Grounds Info.
• EH&S website:
www.ehs.cornell.edu
For Chemical Waste Pick ups:
http://www.ehs.cornell.edu/rad/ChemWasteForm.cfm
MSDS URL:
http://www.ehs.cornell.edu/
Cornell Grounds Department:
www.fm.cornell.edu/fm/recycle/fmn_recycle.cfm
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Cornell EH&S and Grounds
Department Contacts:
• EH&S “ASK EH&S”
WWW.EHS.CORNELL.EDU/
255-8200, ask for Research & Safety Group
member
• Grounds Department
254-1666, [email protected]
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THANKS