Clark County School District Laboratory and Chemical Waste

Clark County School District Laboratory and Chemical Waste Storage Area Safety Training Waste Management

Waste Regulations 1976, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Defined hazardous waste as a solid waste or combination of solid wastes, which because of its quantity, concentration, chemical or infectious characteristics may: Cause, or significantly contribute to an increase in mortality or increase in serious incapacitating reversible illness; Pose a substantial present or potential hazard to human health or the environment when improperly treated, stored, transported, disposed of, or otherwise managed. 2

Waste Regulations Cont. Congress defined waste and gave statutory authority to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate it. RCRA had cradle-to-grave control that regulated the generation, transportation, treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous waste. RCRA also provided the framework for handling non-hazardous waste. 3

Waste Regulations Cont. 1980 CERCLA (Comprehensive, Environmental Response Compensation and Liability act), allowed EPA to identify and clean-up abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous waste sites. It established a Federal “Superfund” to finance these costs and generator liability to recover clean-up costs. It also created a priority listing of active sites and established Reportable Quantities (RQs) for releases of hazardous substances that must be reported to the National Response Center. 4

Waste Regulations Cont. 1984, RCRA amended to include HSWA (hazardous and solid waste amendments), requiring generators to: certify that they have a waste minimization program in place identify efforts to taken to reduce the quantity and toxicity of the waste 5

Characteristic Wastes Hazardous waste definitions are separated into two (2) different categories: 1- Those that exhibit a “characteristic” hazard like: Ignitable (D001),- if the waste is a liquid and has a flashpoint less than 140 degrees F. Corrosive (D002),- If the waste has a pH of 2 or less, or 12.5 or more, or if it corrodes steel at a certain rate. 6

Characteristic Wastes Cont. Reactive (D003) - if the material reacts with water, forms explosive mixtures with water, generates toxic fumes or vapors when mixed with water, is a cyanide or sulfide bearing waste which generates hazardous fumes or vapors, or is explosive. Toxic (D004-43)- if the wastes contain more than a certain level of some toxic materials. Includes heavy metals, organics, and pesticides. 7

Characteristic Wastes Cont. Toxic Wastes are identified by a TCLP (toxic characteristic leaching procedure) test. A material fails the TCLP test if it contains any of the listed constituents above the regulatory concentration established by EPA. 8

Listed Wastes 2- The other hazardous waste classification includes those that are specifically “listed” as a hazardous waste. Listed Waste includes: About 400 chemicals and chemical wastes are listed wastes. They have codes that begin with P, U, F, or K “P” code wastes are acutely hazardous, containers that contain these wastes are also managed as hazardous waste unless triple rinsed. 9

Listed Wastes Discarded commercial chemical products includes: P codes (acutely hazardous) and U codes (non-acutely hazardous). They are not considered hazardous until they are discarded in its unused form. They can be stored indefinitely they are to be used. Many P-code wastes are pesticides 10

Listed Wastes F-code wastes are wastes that are listed from non-specific sources. Includes spent halogenated and nonhalogenated solvents in (methylene chloride, CCL4, benzene, toluene, MEK etc.) K-code wastes includes wastes from specific industry sources. 11

Generator Classifications Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator (CESQG) Allowed to generate no more than 220 lbs of hazardous wastes and less than 2.2 lbs of acutely hazardous waste per month. Must correctly identify all hazardous waste. Never store more than 2,200 lbs on site. Ensure its waste is properly disposed of at an approved facility. 12

Generator Classifications Small Quantity Generator – 220 to 2,200 lbs of hazardous waste and less than 2.2 lbs of acute hazardous waste per month. Acquire an EPA I.D. number. Follow EPA storage facility requirements. Follow DOT packaging requirements. Prepare manifests to accompany shipments. Include certification with each shipment on the proper treatment method. Allowed to store waste longer than 90 days. Conditional exempt can store ways for up to 1 year. 13

Large Quantity Generator LQG generate more than 2,200 lbs of hazardous waste and 2.2 lbs of acute hazardous waste per month. Prepare a written contingency plan and hazwopper training for all responders. Biennial reports to EPA re. waste shipments, waste minimization efforts. Comply with land band restrictions. 14

Treatment Storage and Disposal Facility TSD The Clark County School District (CCSD) currently does not hold a TSD permit, so waste must be eliminated from site 90 days after it is received at the hazardous waste storage facility. 15

Hazardous Waste Accumulation Rules Keep no more than 10 gallons of flammable liquid and 1 qt of acutely hazardous waste in your lab. Tag all wastes with site labels of the chemicals contained therein. Call for a pick-up whenever your container is full, or minimum every 3 months. 16

Hazardous Waste Accumulation Rules 1) Store chemical waste in the designated area. Not on the floor or in the fume hood 2) Keep containers closed. Never leave funnels in the bottles, or lids unscrewed. 17

Hazardous Waste Accumulation Rules Stoppers or corks are unacceptable. Containers must be compatible with the waste. Must be properly labeled. Must have completed list of chemicals contained within. The site must label their own containers. Do not overfill leave 2 inches headspace in all bottles Contact your Environmental Services Department if you have any questions. 18

Hazardous Waste Accumulation Rules 3) Label all containers. Put labels on all waste bottles i.e. waste toluene. Identify the material. Disposal of unknown waste is very expensive. Complete all information and paperwork accompanying hazardous waste containers. Do not date the tag/label. 19

Hazardous Waste Accumulation Rules Print clearly! Do not use formulas, symbols or abbreviations. Commingled Waste must equal 100%, including water and trace chemicals. Place only compatible materials together. Call CCSD Environmental Services or visit their web site if you are unsure or have questions. 20

Hazardous Waste Accumulation Rules 4) Avoid excessive accumulation of waste. Less waste means safer conditions and more working space for you. 5) Inspect your accumulation areas to make sure they are clean, no leaks, lids on, labeled and segregated. 21

Hazardous Waste Accumulation Rules 6) Post copies of the Waste Management Guide and labels where they are readily accessible to all in the lab. 7) Maintain good housekeeping in the lab and chemical waste storage area at all times. The condition of your lab reflects the quality of your research and work ethics!!! If it looks like a waste you need to use due diligence to ensure that it is not or that it is stored. 22

Waste collection A comprehensive label must be completed for every container of waste. Do not mix incompatible chemicals together and waste storage container or area. You must certify you have done everything to minimize the waste i.e. microscale techniques, additional steps to neutralize or render the waste non-hazardous, etc. 23

Unknown Chemicals Hazardous waste not identified by the lab are called unknowns. They are very expensive to dispose of. Departments are charged for it. There may be an emerging policy which states laboratories shall not maintain hazardous lab chemicals on CCSD property for more than two years. If you share lab with someone who leaves, make sure they label or dispose of all their old chemicals or you may be stuck with the bill !!! 24

Responsibilities Faculty and Laboratory Supervisors are responsible for ensuring all lab personnel handle their wastes according to: Nevada and Federal requirements The Environmental Services Hazardous Waste Management Program The Engineering Safety Policy OSHA, FEMA, and EPA Standards Pollution Prevention & Waste Minimization Guidelines 25

Simple Spill Usually less than 1 gal. NOT something that spreads rapidly. Is NOT classified as extremely toxic or rated 4 according to NFPA-704. Can be cleaned up by lab personnel. CCSD Environmental Services Emergency Response Team Call Environmental Services at 799-0990 or 911 Report all Mercury spills! 26

Complicated Spill Spill causing an IDLH condition, immediately dangerous to life and health. Usually a gallon or more. Call Environmental Services, 911, and/or Fire Department be specific about material spilled. Evacuate building. Bring MSDS. It may require a hazmat response team to clean up. If it is flammable turn off all ignition sources and open windows before leaving. 27

Spill Response Spill clean-up material: Calcium bentonite can be used on most spills except HF. Non-clay kitty litter. Keep sodium bisulfate for base neutralization. Keep sodium bicarbonate for acid neutralization. 28

Spill Response cont. Keep trash bags on hand - all spill clean-up material must be placed in the bag and treated as hazardous waste. Place contaminated broken glassware in a box then put it the bag. Properly label the bag. Clean broken glassware should be place in a cardboard box and carried to the dumpster. Do not place broken glass or discarded sharps in the lab trash can! 29

Conclusion Read the Chemical Waste Management Guide. When in doubt call Environmental Services office or visit their web site for assistance. Never clean a spill if you do not have proper personal protective equipment, smell strong odors or are unsure. For more information please refer to Environmental Services/Hazardous Material Section. 30

Conclusion Always keep a clean orderly lab, chemical storage room/area, and waste chemical storage area! Will minimize exposures, Potential for a spill, Reduces your expenses, Improves the quality of your research. 31