-
Make sure that your waste container is compatible with your chemical waste (e.g.
DO NOT use a metal container to store acids). (This is a regulatory requirement.)
-
Do not use soda bottles, food containers or other
containers that could be confused with consumer products.
-
Make sure to accurately label your waste containers when chemical waste is first
added. Use common chemical names or IUPAC nomenclature to describe each waste
constituent. DO NOT use abbreviations, trade names or chemical symbols. It is
important to list each constituent down to one percent. All heavy metals must
be listed down to the parts per million range. (This is a regulatory requirement.)
NOTE:
Use the chemical waste labels provided by the Department of Environmental Health & Safety.
-
Chemical containers must be kept tightly sealed at all times except when waste
is being added. DO NOT leave caps off. (This is a regulatory requirement.)
-
DO NOT mix incompatible waste. Several serious incidents have occurred on campus
and at other institutions as a result of incompatible wastes being mixed together.
(This is a regulatory requirement.)
-
Chemical
waste must be segregated according to hazard class and separated by spill control
containment. (This is a regulatory requirement.)
-
All chemical waste must be disposed of through the Department of Environmental Health & Safety. DO NOT dispose of chemical waste via the sanitary sewer or
normal trash. There are strict regulations governing sewer and solid waste discharges.
Contact Jane Frank or call 831-2103, if
you have any
questions.
-
Unknown chemicals are not acceptable. Accurately identify all chemical waste before
disposing of through the Department of Environmental Health & Safety. If an unknown
chemical CANNOT be identified contact Jane Frank or call 831-2103.
-
DO NOT over fill liquid waste containers. Fill containers to a maximum of 90%
full. Head space is needed for expansion and/or ease of dispensing.
-
Inventory your laboratory chemicals on a routine schedule (every six months is
recommended). Get rid of old, unwanted chemicals. Pay particular attention to
chemicals that may become more hazardous with time such as ethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran,
picric acid, etc.
-
It is very important that all gas cylinders be inspected on a regular basis. Make
sure that the label is in good condition. Unknown gas cylinders present a serious
hazard and are very expensive to identify and dispose. DO NOT refill gas cylinders,
under any circumstances. All reuse/refilling must be completed by the original
gas supplier.
-
Waste contaminated with chemicals generated from the clean up of chemical spills
must also be disposed of as chemical waste. Place contaminated debris in an appropriate
container such as a plastic bag, seal the container and accurately label the container
with the contents (e.g. lab trash and paper towels contaminated with iodine crystals
from small spill).
-
Contact
the Department of Environmental Health & Safety to request a chemical waste pick
up.
-
Lab personnel who generate chemical waste must be trained on chemical waste disposal/waste
minimization procedures on an annual basis. (This is a regulatory requirement.)
The Department of Environmental Health & Safety offers this training.
The
Department of Environmental Health & Safety's chemical waste program is fairly
simple and easy to use. Most of the requests/requirements listed above are basic
and follow good laboratory protocol. If you have any questions or concerns feel
free to contact Jane Frank or call
831-2103.
