Ohio University HomeEnvironmental Health and Safety Environmental Health & Safety

Chemical Waste

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The following guidelines are to be used for the safe handling and disposal of Hazardous Chemical Waste at Ohio University. No Radioactive Waste will be handled through this procedure. Consult the Radiation Safety Handbook for the proper disposal of Radioactive Waste. No Biohazard or Asbestos Waste will be handled by this procedure. Consult the Biosafety Manual and Asbestos Manual (found on the Program Documents page).

2.0 CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES

See Policy procedure at http://www.ohiou.edu/policy/44-108.html

The responsibility for chemical waste identification, labeling, and packaging rests with the principal investigator or area supervisor. The principal investigator or area supervisor should follow all of the procedures in the guidelines and provide proper instruction to personnel under their supervision.

When ordering chemicals, minimize volumes by purchasing the smallest quantity of a chemical consistent with experimental protocol. Chemicals should be dated when received in a permanent and legible fashion. This procedure will aid in evaluating the hazard when a particular chemical becomes waste. Frequently chemical suppliers will attempt to sell more chemicals for less, please don't buy surplus chemicals. Surplus chemicals tend to end up in the chemical waste stream at a later date.

A. STORAGE OF CHEMICALS

  1. Chemicals should always be segregated according to compatibility and hazard class.
  2. Excess or outdated chemicals should not be allowed to accumulate in any location to a point that would create an unsafe working environment for laboratory personnel. NOTE: Before disposing of excess chemicals, determine if any other researcher has a need for them.
  3. Unknown chemicals cannot be disposed of until the compound has been properly identified. Personnel responsible for the area where unknowns are found are expected to identify these chemicals through communications and/or chemical analysis. Do not hide unknowns EHS will cover the cost if no funds are available to the generator.
  4. Inventories of all chemicals in each laboratory should be conducted every six months. Check for damaged labels, outdated chemicals, damaged containers, and peroxide forming compounds.
  5. Do not overfill container.
  6. Only mix compatible solvents.
  7. Segregate and store chemicals in the laboratory where generated for pick up according to hazard class and compatibility.

3.0 CHEMICAL DISPOSAL

There are two options for disposing of chemicals. Keep in mind a hazardous chemical fall under EPA jurisdiction as soon as it is decided the chemical is no longer wanted. At that point the container must be in a secondary container labeled as hazardous waste and dated. If inspected by EPA remember the words stated can make the difference between costly fines and the agency having no authority. The two ways to dispose of chemicals are as follows:

  1. The chemical can be maintained as a material or a waste, but if declared a waste the chemical must be but in a secondary container, labeled hazardous waste and dated, and there will be a pickup every 6 months by an outside contractor. In this situation chemicals can be put on a table or in a hood separated according to compatibility and totally separate form good chemicals. An email would be sent to Larry Gingerich stating the quantities and a general description of the chemicals. Including very specific location and identification. EHS doesn't want to take good chemicals. When the contractor comes on site the contractor will come to the work space and remove the chemicals directly from the table or hood. This method is normally used when there are many containers.
  2. The second option is to request a pickup from EHS. EHS conducts pickups the first Tuesday of each month. If this option is chosen the following intructions would apply.
  3. Containers- Collect each hazardous waste in a separate container as similar as possible to the original container. Also 2.5 gallon Nalgene containers may be used for compatible liquid organic chemicals. Use the smallest container size to match the amount of hazardous chemical waste generated. All waste containers must be tightly closed. Please keep waste in as pure a form as possible so that recycling options may be implemented.

Chemicals must be in containers of 1 gallon or less, no more than four gallons in a box (exception 5 gal. original product cans or 2.5 gallon Nalgene Containers may be used for compatible liquid organic material but neither shall be held for more than 1 year.) It will be necessary to repackage the chemicals if the integrity of the container is questionable.

Each container must be identified by a properly completed HAZARDOUS WASTE label provided by Environmental Health and Safety. Note that each label is pre-numbered. This number is to be duplicated on the small side and top of the exterior of the container box.

Packaging filled containers in boxes- Individual containers of chemical waste must be packaged in an outer container. This may be accomplished by an individual box or several containers may be placed in a larger box. The final product being of reasonable weight, size and integrity for an individual to carry. The box must be suitable for stacking. Therefore no bottle can be taller than the box is deep and boxes must have lids. The chemicals will be removed with a two wheel cart and packaging must be suitable to remove with this vehicle.

Chemicals which have the potential to react with each other should not be packaged within the same box. (see incompatible chemicals).

Shock and liquid absorbent material must be placed around the containers. Vermiculite serves both purposes. The fine dust generated when using vermiculite is an inhalation hazard, therefore vermiculite is should not be used unless wearing a dust mask. Some vermiculite is treated so it will not absorb liquids, this type is used as an insulation material, so beware of what you are using. Vermiculite and boxes are recycled by the chemical storekeeper at Clippinger Laboratories (this is very much appreciated) and normally can be obtained from the storeroom free of charge. Call 3-1743 or e-mail dotson@ohio.edu.

VISUAL AID TO PACKING INSTRUCTIONS

  1. The label numbers are extremely important. The number will be entered into the computer as the identification of the container. The number must be entered where shown in the diagram. The same number will also be entered on the Chemical Disposal Request Form as the label number. Normally there will be one number per request form. The only exception is if containers and contents are identical in all respects. The number should be marked on the box with a fine tip black marker or any substitute of equal quality.
  2. All box openings must be taped shut. This is to prevent fine particles of vermiculite from filling the air and falling onto the floor as the chemicals are being transported.
  3. The box must be filled with vermiculite to prevent breakage and to absorb spillage in case breakage does occur. It is recommended that enough absorbent be provided to absorb the volume of liquid.

The following procedures are to be used when disposing of chemical waste. Every person requesting a chemical waste pick up must complete a Chemical Waste Disposal Form. This form will provide information on the chemicals during storage. (note the form prints out fine regardless of appearance). The Department of Environmental Health and Safety will pick up chemical waste monthly or as generation volume requires.

A. SINGLE CHEMICAL CONTAINERS

  1. Do not mix chemicals if possible to keep recycling options open.
  2. Each chemical for disposal must be stored in individual, sealed containers. Only use containers made with materials, which are compatible with the chemicals to be stored. Example: Do not use a metal container to store a corrosive material.
  3. Complete all sections of the chemical waste label. Use a separate label for each container. NOTE: Chemicals without labels will not be picked up from the laboratory.
  4. Complete a chemical waste disposal form.
  5. After material is properly labeled, packaged, and the form is filled out, submit it to: Environmental Health and Safety, Hudson Health Ctr. attn: Larry Gingerich or fax to 3-0808. If you have questions contact EHS at 593-1663.
  6. Segregate and store chemicals in the laboratory where generated for pick up according to hazard class and compatibility.

B. MIXED ORGANIC SOLVENTS

  1. Labels for organic solvents should be obtained prior to starting a mixed solvent container.
  2. Use 2.5 gallon Nalgene Containers for storage of mixed solvent waste if available. If glass bottles are used, a secondary containment system is required.
  3. List the name and volume of each solvent on the label at the time of addition.
  4. When the container is full, complete a chemical waste disposal form. and send it to Environmental Health and Safety, Hudson Health Ctr. attn: Larry Gingerichh or fax to 3-0808. If you have questions contact EHS at 593-1663.

C. CHEMICAL MIXTURES

The following guidelines are to be used when disposing of chemical mixtures which are generated as a result of chemical reactions, preparation of standards, etc.

  1. Containers used for storage of chemical mixtures must be properly labeled. It is important to list the name and percentage of each chemical constituent.
  2. Chemical mixtures for disposal must be stored in sealed containers. Only use containers made with materials, which are compatible with the chemical mixture to be stored. Example: Do not use a metal container to store a corrosive mixture.
  3. Complete a chemical waste disposal form.
  4. After material is properly labeled, packaged and disposal form is filled out, send it to Environmental Health and Safety, Hudson Health Ctr. attn: Larry Gingerich or fax to 3-0808. If you have questions contact EHS at 593-1663.
  5. Do not overfill containers
  6. Do not combine incompatible mixtures.
  7. Segregate and store chemicals in the laboratory where generated for pick up according to hazard class and compatibility.

Questions regarding the chemical waste program should be addressed to Larry Gingerich or call 740-593-1663.