Environmental Leadership in UW Science Curriculum and Research - A Partnership for Excellence Laboratory Environmental Management UW System Administration Environmental Health & Safety

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What are laboratory wastes? Unused chemical products and stock solutions that you no longer need; Contaminated solutions, mixtures, and solids resulting from your lab processes. unused stock solutions contaminated bench covering used solvents Unwanted reagents

What do I do with my lab waste? In about 20 minutes, you will learn how to define, label, contain, and manage your lab waste while they are under your control, and how to prepare for spills and emergencies. This presentation will answer that question.

What lab wastes need special handling? Lab wastes are regulated hazardous wastes if they are toxic, ignitable, corrosive, or reactive. Regulated hazardous wastes always require special management. Hazardous waste being prepared for shipment to a licensed disposal facility.

Regulated Hazardous Wastes In response to incidents of environmental pollution such as Love Canal, Congress, in 1976, enacted The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Return to main presentation. More on Regulated Hazardous Wastes

Regulated Hazardous Wastes RCRA, together with the Hazardous and Solid waste Amendments, passed in 1986, forms the basis for regulations that ensure proper management of hazardous chemical wastes. Return to presentation. In Wisconsin, enforcement of RCRA has been legally delegated to the Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). State hazardous waste regulations are found in Wis. Adm. Code NR 600- Click here for link to regulations More on Regulated Hazardous Wastes

Ignitable Lab Wastes These are liquids with flashpoints <140° F, or solids that easily catch fire. Examples include organic solvents such as acetone, xylene, and acetonitrile. Return to presentation. More on Regulated Hazardous Wastes

Corrosive Lab Wastes These are liquids with pH  2 or  12.5 Examples include nitric acid, aqueous sodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid. Return to presentation. More on Regulated Hazardous Wastes

Reactive Lab Wastes Those that are air or water reactive, or have a tendency to explode. Examples include sodium metal, extremely dry picric acid, some organic peroxides. Return to presentation. More on Regulated Hazardous Wastes

Toxic Laboratory Wastes Those that exceed concentration limits for given contaminants. Examples include lead acetate, mercuric chloride, and solvent mixtures containing > 0.5 ppm benzene. Return to presentation.

What lab wastes need special handling? Other types of lab wastes might also require special management even if they are not regulated as hazardous waste. If in doubt, check your campus’ hazardous waste procedures or consult with campus environmental management staff. Biohazardous waste

NEED A GOOD PHOTO OF EHS INTERACTING W/ LAB STAFF Who is Responsible for Lab Waste? Proper management of laboratory waste requires a team effort between lab faculty and staff and campus environmental management staff. Working together you will be able to manage wastes safely, protect the environment, keep costs down, and comply with regulations.

What is my role? Your role is to take good care of laboratory wastes while they are still in your lab and to maintain your chemical stocks so that they do not become outdated or deteriorated.

What is my role? You can also suggest ways to reduce your lab’s waste and emissions and work with your campus environmental manager to implement them. traditional thermal distillation replaced with… solvent purification system (operates at room temperature) A pollution prevention idea.

What is campus environmental staff’s role? Campus environmental staff will take care of your wastes once they leave your lab. They will classify them according to regulations, and ship them to UW-approved, off-site commercial disposal facilities.

What do I need to do? Just five things: 1. Define and label each waste you generate. 2. Contain lab wastes properly. 3. Transfer full containers to campus environmental staff. 4. Refrain from disposing of lab wastes yourself. 5. Be prepared for spills or leaks.

1. Define and Label Lab Wastes Information sources to define your lab’s wastestreams include: –experimental procedure or method –reagent labels –Material Safety Data Sheets –References such as Merck and Sax

1. Define and Label Lab Wastes Do not mix together wastestreams from different processes. If you are not sure how to define your lab’s wastestreams, contact your campus environmental staff.

1. Define and Label Lab Wastes Label every waste container so campus environmental staff can determine disposal requirements. –List percentages or concentrations, if known. –List toxic contaminants, if known or suspected. Acetone (60%), toluene (40%), trace amounts of Chlordane Aq. waste, pH 3.5, contains cadmium (~ 10 ppm)

Toxic Contaminants Heavy Metals arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, selenium, silver Pesticides Chlordane, 2,4-D, Endrin, Lindane, Heptachlor, Methoxychlor, Silvex (2,4,5-TP), Toxaphene. Organics benzene, carbon tetrachloride, chlorobenzene, chloroform, Organics, continued cresol, 1,4-dichlorobenzene, 1,2- dichloroethane, 1,1- dichloroethylene, 2,4- dinitrotoluene, hexachlorobenzene, hexachlorobutadiene, hexachloroethane, methyl ethyl ketone, nitrobenzene, pentachlorophenol, pyridine, tetrachloroethylene, trichloroethylene, 2,4,5- trichlrophenol, 2,4,6- trichlorophenol, vinyl chloride. Return to presentation.

1. Define and Label Lab Wastes … or, if it is more efficient for you, label the container with a general description of contents (e.g. “used organic solvents”), and use a nearby inventory sheet to record details of what was added to the container. NOTE: This is not required, but is of great help to the campus environmental manager.

1. Define and Label Lab Wastes Label (continued) –Label it “used” if waste is contaminated as a result of being used in a lab process. –For used solvent mixtures, list each solvent that makes up 10% or more of the container’s contents, if known. –Do not mix used wastes in the same container with unused reagents and stock solutions. Used solvents - acetone (40%), xylene (60%)

1. Define and Label Lab Wastes Label (continued) –Place unused lab reagents and stock solutions that you no longer need in a bin or pail labeled “excess lab materials,” or with similar words. –Campus environmental staff can transfer some of these to others who can use them - saving purchase and disposal costs. A pollution prevention idea.

2. Contain Lab Wastes Don’t mix incompatible wastes. Some classic examples: sodium with aqueous wastes (causes fire) acid with cyanide compounds (releases toxic gas) chlorine and ammonia (releases toxic chloramines)

2. Contain Lab Wastes Contain lab wastes so that they will not leak liquids or vapors and will be safe to move across campus. –Use containers in good condition –To be safe and avoid runaway reactions be sure only compatible wastes share the same containers.

2. Contain Lab Wastes Keep containers closed. –All waste containers must be capped unless you are adding to or dispensing from them. THIS NOT THIS

2. Contain Lab Wastes Use Secondary Containment –Put another container beneath waste containers to capture spills that could otherwise enter a drain or pose a risk. –Also use secondary containment to separate incompatible wastes from each other and when moving wastes from one place to another.

2. Contain Lab Wastes Don’t fill waste containers too full... Overfilled containers are more prone to mishaps. For liquids, leave some headspace at the top of the container to allow for expansion. For solids, do not add so much as to strain container walls or cap.

2. Contain Lab Wastes Waste Containers in the Lab … –Excessive waste containers take up valuable space, increase the risk of spills, and can violate safety and fire protection requirements. –For dioxin-bearing wastes and certain discarded chemical products, you should not have more than one quart in the lab at a time. Contact your campus environmental manager if you have questions.

3. Transfer Waste to Environmental Staff To arrange for waste transfer… –Follow your campus procedures to arrange for pickup of your waste. –Your campus procedures may require you to write the date on full containers being transferred to the campus environmental manager. –Transfer full containers of waste to the campus environmental manager at least once per semester.

4. Refrain from Direct Disposal Some wastes are restricted by local sewer ordinance or solid waste authority. So, do not dispose of lab wastes by pouring down the drain, placing in the normal trash, or venting in the hood unless approved by your campus environmental staff or their written procedures.

5. Prepare for Spills...because your personal safety is # 1 –Know the identity and hazards of the chemicals you work with. –Locate your nearest fire extinguisher(s), showers, eyewash stations, alarms, and utility shutoffs; check them periodically; and learn how to use them. –Keep evacuation paths clear - don’t block doors or leave carts, boxes, or other clutter in the aisles and halls. –Address leaking containers immediately so they don’t become large spills.

5. Prepare For Spills Before a spill happens... –Know your role in your lab’s spill response plan: Do you evacuate or do you close doors, shutoff utilities, and make sure people are out?

5. Prepare For Spills Before a spill happens... Keep appropriate spill clean up supplies on hand and learn when and how to use them. Review MSDS’ periodically for the hazardous chemicals you work with most often.

5. Prepare for Spills If you see a spill or leak: –When in doubt - Get Out! Warn others as you go. –Pull the fire alarm if necessary. –When Safe, Dial 911. Is the spill beyond your ability to safely respond? Click here to view UW System spill response decision logic. “Simple” spills (as defined by American Chemical Society) might not require reporting; follow your campus’ incident response plan to know when it is required.

In an Emergency... When you are safe, dial 911 and be ready to tell them: – where you are calling from – where the incident is – what kind of problem it is – whether anyone is injured. Call campus environmental management. If possible, meet emergency responders in front of the building and direct them to the scene. Return to presentation.

Do I know what this substance is? Is this release small enough to manage myself? Can this chemical be contained or isolated safely? This is a “Simple” spill I can clean it up myself, within my normal workday. Key Information Ask yourself  Container label is legible  MSDS available  No injuries  No fire  Low reactivity  Low volatility  Low flammability  Not a strong  Familiar quantity oxidizer  I feel comfortable enough, to deal with this situation.  I am trained in proper protective equipment use.  I am trained how to use spill control equipment.  All the right equipment is available to me here and now. Get Help! This is not a “Simple” Spill Follow your campus emergency response procedures. This could involve:  Pull Alarm  Evacuate  Call 911  Call your campus Environmental, Safety, or Facilities Management department YES NO Return to presentation

For More Information There are other lab wastes requiring special handling that are not covered by this presentation. Contact your campus environmental manager if you have any questions. ???

Other Lab Wastes of Concern If you find an old chemical that may be shock sensitive or explosive, don’t touch it. Secure the room and contact your campus environmental manager for assistance. View more lab wastes of concern Return to presentation

Other Lab Wastes of Concern Other lab wastes that require special handling: –those containing PCB’s, mercury, asbestos, or pesticides –infectious, biohazardous, or radioactive wastes –batteries, except for alkaline –carcinogens, mutagens, or acutely toxic compounds (e.g. ethidium bromide) –compressed gases –dioxin-bearing wastes –lamps, computers and computer monitors Return to presentation.

For More Information See the UWSA Environmental Health and Safety Web Site for further information on laboratory waste management, pollution prevention, spill response and sustainable laboratory facilities and practices. Copy this address in your browser:

Credits and Acknowledgements Faculty and environmental staff provided technical and presentation quality editing of this Lab Waste series. Thanks to: Return to beginning of presentation. UW-Green Bay UW-Madison UW-Milwaukee UW-Oshkosh UW-Platteville UW-Stevens Point UW-Superior UW - System Administration Academic Affairs State of Wisconsin - Department of Natural Resources UW System Administration Environmental Health & Safety Questions? Call or

Credits and Acknowledgements The following University of Wisconsin campuses supplied photos for this training module: UW-Madison UW-Milwaukee UW-Stevens Point UW-Washington UW-Waukesha Return to beginning of presentation End presentation