About Chemical Wastes

July 1st, 2010Ty Youbi

Chemical waste responsibilitiesChemical waste responsibilitiesChemical waste responsibilitiesChemical waste responsibilities

Follow University procedures for labeling, storing Follow University procedures for labeling, storing and disposing of hazardous waste. and disposing of hazardous waste.

Minimize the amount of waste generated.Minimize the amount of waste generated.

Recycle unused chemicals via the University Recycle unused chemicals via the University redistribution program.redistribution program.

Prepare ahead of time for spills or other mishaps.Prepare ahead of time for spills or other mishaps.2

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Waste Waste PropertiesProperties

Waste Waste PropertiesProperties

What is a hazardous waste? What is a hazardous waste?

A hazardous waste can be defined by one or more of the following characteristics:

IgnitableIgnitableCorrosive*Corrosive*ReactiveReactive

ToxicToxicListed WasteListed Waste

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Chemical waste is considered hazardous if:Chemical waste is considered hazardous if:

The flashpoint is < 140The flashpoint is < 140º F (60º C)º F (60º C) An aqueous solution contains > 24% alcoholAn aqueous solution contains > 24% alcohol

It is an oxidizerIt is an oxidizer It is a flammable compressed gasIt is a flammable compressed gas

It is a liquid capable of fire through friction, absorption It is a liquid capable of fire through friction, absorption of moisture or spontaneous chemical change.of moisture or spontaneous chemical change.

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CorrosivityCorrosivityCorrosivityCorrosivity

Chemical waste is considered corrosive if:Chemical waste is considered corrosive if:

It is an aqueous solution with a pH It is an aqueous solution with a pH << 22 or > or >12.512.5

It corrodes steel at 6.35 mm/year at 55It corrodes steel at 6.35 mm/year at 55ºº C C

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ReactivityReactivityReactivityReactivity

A chemical waste is considered highly reactive if:A chemical waste is considered highly reactive if:

It is capable of creating toxic gases when mixed It is capable of creating toxic gases when mixed with waterwith water

It forms explosive mixtures with waterIt forms explosive mixtures with water

It is cyanide or sulfide bearingIt is cyanide or sulfide bearing

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ReactivityReactivityReactivityReactivity

It reacts violently with waterIt reacts violently with water

It is normally unstableIt is normally unstable

It is capable of detonationIt is capable of detonation

It is a DOT classified explosiveIt is a DOT classified explosive

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To icityTo icityTo icityTo icity

A chemical waste is considered highly toxic if:A chemical waste is considered highly toxic if:

It contains arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium (VI), It contains arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium (VI), lead, mercury, selenium or silverlead, mercury, selenium or silver

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ToxicityToxicityToxicityToxicityIt contains one or more of these 32 organic compounds:It contains one or more of these 32 organic compounds:

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BenzeneBenzeneCarbon tetrachlorideCarbon tetrachloride ChlordaneChlordaneChlorobenzeneChlorobenzeneChloroformChloroformm-cresolm-cresol p-cresolp-cresolo-cresolo-cresolp-dichlorobenzenep-dichlorobenzene2-dichloroethylene2-dichloroethylene 1,1-dichloroethylene1,1-dichloroethylene 2,4-dinitrotoluene2,4-dinitrotoluene Endrin Endrin HeptachlorHeptachlor HexachlorobenzeneHexachlorobenzene Hexachloro-1,3-Hexachloro-1,3-butadienebutadiene

HexachloroethaneHexachloroethane LindaneLindaneMEKMEK methoxychlormethoxychlor nitrobenzenenitrobenzene pentachlorophenolpentachlorophenol pyridinepyridine tetrachloroethylentetrachloroethylenee toxaphenetoxaphene trichloroethylenetrichloroethylene 2,4,5-2,4,5-tetrachlorophenoltetrachlorophenol 2,4,6-2,4,6-trichlorophenoltrichlorophenol vinyl chloridevinyl chloride 2,4,-D2,4,-D 2,4,5-TP2,4,5-TP silvexsilvex

Listed Waste LabelsListed Waste LabelsListed Waste LabelsListed Waste Labels

Waste label categories:Waste label categories:

F waste – hazardous waste from non-specific sources F waste – hazardous waste from non-specific sources (solvent can waste)(solvent can waste)

K waste – hazardous waste from K waste – hazardous waste from specific sources (distillation bottoms)specific sources (distillation bottoms)

P and U waste – discarded commercial chemical products, P and U waste – discarded commercial chemical products, off spec products, container residues, spill residues off spec products, container residues, spill residues (generally discarded chemicals)(generally discarded chemicals)

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Waste Waste CollectionCollection

Waste Waste CollectionCollection

Collection of hazardous chemical wasteCollection of hazardous chemical wasteCollection of hazardous chemical wasteCollection of hazardous chemical waste

Use containers that are compatible with the chemical waste.Use containers that are compatible with the chemical waste.

For large quantities, DEC can provide 30 or 50 gallon drums or For large quantities, DEC can provide 30 or 50 gallon drums or 5 gallon plastic containers.5 gallon plastic containers.

Keep containers capped and store them in a safe location in Keep containers capped and store them in a safe location in the laboratory.the laboratory.

Do not store incompatible chemicals together in the Do not store incompatible chemicals together in the laboratory.laboratory.

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Hazardous Chemical Waste CollectionHazardous Chemical Waste CollectionHazardous Chemical Waste CollectionHazardous Chemical Waste Collection

Label containers. An original container and label can Label containers. An original container and label can be used if the label is legible. Blank labels can be be used if the label is legible. Blank labels can be obtained by contacting NYSDEC at obtained by contacting NYSDEC at 518-402-8651.

Only collect wastes that are compatible in the same Only collect wastes that are compatible in the same containercontainer

A hazardous waste mixed with a non-hazardous A hazardous waste mixed with a non-hazardous waste becomes hazardous waste.waste becomes hazardous waste.

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Hazardous Chemical Waste CollectionHazardous Chemical Waste CollectionHazardous Chemical Waste CollectionHazardous Chemical Waste Collection

Spent solvent waste can not contain metals, Spent solvent waste can not contain metals, cyanides and sulfides.cyanides and sulfides.

Spent solvent waste must have a pH >5 and <9.Spent solvent waste must have a pH >5 and <9.

Discarded chemicals should be packaged Discarded chemicals should be packaged according to hazard class.according to hazard class.

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Disposing of the chemical wasteDisposing of the chemical wasteDisposing of the chemical wasteDisposing of the chemical waste

Chemical waste will be picked up by the NYS Chemical waste will be picked up by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Department of Environmental Conservation through the university chemical waste office. through the university chemical waste office.

A pick-up can be arranged via telephone, fax, A pick-up can be arranged via telephone, fax, mail or online.mail or online.

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Required informationRequired informationRequired informationRequired information

Regardless of how the request is submitted, the following Regardless of how the request is submitted, the following information information mustmust be provided: be provided:

Name and DateName and Date

Telephone numberTelephone number

DepartmentDepartment

Building and room numberBuilding and room number

Chemical compound name and approximate quantityChemical compound name and approximate quantity

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Further informationFurther informationFurther informationFurther information

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation625 BroadwayAlbany, New York 12233-0001

• To report a chemical or oil spill : 1-800-457-7362 or (518) 457-7362

• To report an environmental violation: 1-800-847-7332

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