About Chemical Wastes July 1 st, 2010 Ty Youbi

Chemical waste responsibilities Follow University procedures for labeling, storing and disposing of hazardous waste. Follow University procedures for labeling, storing and disposing of hazardous waste. Minimize the amount of waste generated. Recycle unused chemicals via the University redistribution program. Prepare ahead of time for spills or other mishaps. 2

3 Waste Properties Waste Properties

What is a hazardous waste? A hazardous waste can be defined by one or more of the following characteristics:IgnitableCorrosive*ReactiveToxic Listed Waste 4

Chemical waste is considered hazardous if: The flashpoint is < 140º F (60º C) The flashpoint is < 140º F (60º C) An aqueous solution contains > 24% alcohol An aqueous solution contains > 24% alcohol It is an oxidizer It is an oxidizer It is a flammable compressed gas It is a flammable compressed gas It is a liquid capable of fire through friction, absorption of moisture or spontaneous chemical change. It is a liquid capable of fire through friction, absorption of moisture or spontaneous chemical change. 5

CorrosivityCorrosivity Chemical waste is considered corrosive if: It is an aqueous solution with a pH 12.5 It corrodes steel at 6.35 mm/year at 55º C 6

ReactivityReactivity A chemical waste is considered highly reactive if: It is capable of creating toxic gases when mixed with water It forms explosive mixtures with water It is cyanide or sulfide bearing 7

ReactivityReactivity It reacts violently with water It is normally unstable It is capable of detonation It is a DOT classified explosive 8

To icity A chemical waste is considered highly toxic if: It contains arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium (VI), lead, mercury, selenium or silver It contains arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium (VI), lead, mercury, selenium or silver 9

ToxicityToxicity It contains one or more of these 32 organic compounds: 10 Benzene Carbon tetrachloride Chlordane ChlordaneChlorobenzeneChloroformm-cresol p-cresol p-cresolo-cresolp-dichlorobenzene2-dichloroethylene 1,1-dichloroethylene 1,1-dichloroethylene 2,4-dinitrotoluene 2,4-dinitrotoluene Endrin EndrinHeptachlor Hexachlorobenzene Hexachlorobenzene Hexachloro-1,3-butadiene Hexachloro-1,3-butadieneHexachloroethane Lindane LindaneMEK methoxychlor methoxychlor nitrobenzene nitrobenzene pentachlorophenol pentachlorophenol pyridine pyridine tetrachloroethylene tetrachloroethylene toxaphene toxaphene trichloroethylene trichloroethylene 2,4,5-tetrachlorophenol 2,4,5-tetrachlorophenol 2,4,6-trichlorophenol 2,4,6-trichlorophenol vinyl chloride vinyl chloride 2,4,-D 2,4,-D 2,4,5-TP 2,4,5-TP silvex silvex

Listed Waste Labels Waste label categories: F waste – hazardous waste from non-specific sources (solvent can waste) K waste – hazardous waste from specific sources (distillation bottoms) P and U waste – discarded commercial chemical products, off spec products, container residues, spill residues (generally discarded chemicals) 11

12 Waste Collection Waste Collection

Collection of hazardous chemical waste Use containers that are compatible with the chemical waste. For large quantities, DEC can provide 30 or 50 gallon drums or 5 gallon plastic containers. Keep containers capped and store them in a safe location in the laboratory. Do not store incompatible chemicals together in the laboratory. 13

Hazardous Chemical Waste Collection Label containers. An original container and label can be used if the label is legible. Blank labels can be obtained by contacting NYSDEC at Label containers. An original container and label can be used if the label is legible. Blank labels can be obtained by contacting NYSDEC at Only collect wastes that are compatible in the same container A hazardous waste mixed with a non-hazardous waste becomes hazardous waste. 14

Hazardous Chemical Waste Collection Spent solvent waste can not contain metals, cyanides and sulfides. Spent solvent waste must have a pH >5 and 5 and <9. Discarded chemicals should be packaged according to hazard class. 15

Disposing of the chemical waste Chemical waste will be picked up by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation through the university chemical waste office. A pick-up can be arranged via telephone, fax, mail or online. 16

Required information Regardless of how the request is submitted, the following information must be provided: Name and Date Name and Date Telephone number Department Building and room number Chemical compound name and approximate quantity 17

Further information New York State Department of Environmental Conservation 625 Broadway Albany, New York To report a chemical or oil spill : or (518) To report an environmental violation: