Hazardous Chemical Waste Management

Andrew Kimball, 726-6764

Storing Wastes

Most research locations are “satellite accumulation” sites with specific requirements, most importantly: Label waste containers with the words

“Hazardous Waste” and the contents – in plain English

Keep waste containers closed when not filling them

Store liquids away from drains, preferably in containment

Poster Available

Lab Inspections

Brian Brosnan hired full time for a year to do three cycles of lab inspections

85% complete on first round, 687 Labs, 2182 containers, 269 discrepancies

Brian reports results to PIs and RSOs on a timely basis

Tied to focus on labeling, showing measurable improvement

Expect more in the next rounds

Student Inspector 2007-2008Now Full Time Inspector  2007 2008 2009

Overall Exception Rate 29.50% 21.80

%12.33

%

Contents not listed or not in plain English 22.20% 19.20% 6.05%

Containers undated 6.30% 3.80% 1.68%

Without words "Hazardous Waste" 4.80% 4.00% 1.51%

Liquid waste not in containment tray 3.80% 1.10% 2.06%

Open Containers 1.20% 0.50% 0.55%

Waste containers not stored in work area 0.70% 0.00% 0.19%

Near drain without containment 1.20% 0.60% 0.64%

Unlabeled containers 0.50% 0.30% 1.74%

Containers not in good condition 0.20% 0.20% 0.09%

Closer Look at the Trend

Of the containers “Contents not listed or not in plain English,” 85% are cited for using chemical symbols (MeOH, EtOH, NaOH, HCl, CuSO4,

K3Fe(CN)6, CHCl3) acronyms (PBS, DMSO, DAB, TEAA, PMSF, SDS, EGTA,

NNKOAc, ACN) 2006 Hennepin County cited “BME” for beta-

Mercaptoethanol Rule: "...a description that clearly identifies its

contents to employees and emergency personnel"

One Department

Only problem was acronyms/formulas, 4 out of 48 containers

Bottle 1: EtOH and OsO4, Bottle 2: Na2PO4H2

Bottle 3: HCl, TNBSA, and SiQDOTS Bottle 4: TiO2

A Mixed Bag of Labeling

Goldy D Gopher

June 18, 2009 6-0000

Mixture of:

Methanol 85%

Acetic Acid 15%

HW Label with Contents in Plain English - OK

Problem HW Label: Not in Plain English – No Information to responders or employees

Goldy D Gopher

June 18, 2009 6-0000

Mixture of:

MeOH 85%

CH3OOH 15%

HW Label with Contents not in Plain English, but providing hazard information to responders and employees

Goldy D Gopher

June 18, 2009 6-0000

Mixture of:

MeOH 85%

CH3OOH 15%

X

X

How Can We Improve This?

John DoeSept 1, 2009 5-5831

EtOHOsO4