The proper disposal of chemical wastes is essential to the environmental protection of East Tennessee State University, as well as, the surrounding community. It is important, therefore, to dispose of all chemicals in a safe, efficient and cost-effective manner. To ensure a successful hazardous waste management program, the Health and Safety Office has developed these procedures to help East Tennessee State University personnel provide for the safe and proper disposal of chemical waste. The objectives of the Health and Safety Office in issuance of these procedures are:

With a cooperative effort on the part of the East Tennessee State University faculty and staff, and through adherence to the procedural guidelines contained herein, the attainment of these objectives can be realized.

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), passed in 1976, was the first comprehensive federal effort to regulate both solid and hazardous wastes. RCRA regulates anyone engaged in the creation, transportation, treatment and disposal of hazardous wastes.

The main purpose was to address the problem of how to safely dispose of the large volumes of waste, including hazardous waste, generated by our society.

RCRA was established to accomplish three goals:

- To protect human health and the environment.

- To reduce waste and conserve energy and natural resources.

- To reduce or eliminate the generation of hazardous waste as expeditiously as possible.

 

In order to achieve these goals, three distinct programs, among others, were established under RCRA:

- Subtitle C - establishes a management system that regulates hazardous waste from time of generation until its ultimate disposal (a "cradle to grave" system).

 

- Subtitle D - a federal program to promote and encourage the environmentally safe disposal of regular non-hazardous waste.

 

- Subtitle I - established by the Hazardous and Solid Waste Act (1984 Amendments to RCRA), (HSWA), regulates petroleum products and hazardous substances stored in underground tanks.

Hazardous Waste Definition

Congress defined hazardous waste as a "solid waste, or combination of solid wastes," which because of its quantity, concentration, chemical, or infectious characteristics may:

1. Cause, or significantly contribute to an increase in mortality or an increase in serious irreversible, or incapacitating reversible, illness.

 

2. Pose a substantial present or potential hazard to human health or the environment when improperly treated, stored, transported, disposed of, or otherwise managed.

 

Although Congress defined the term hazardous waste, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was required to develop the regulatory framework which the regulated community could use to identify their wastes as hazardous. According to the EPA, a waste is hazardous if it meets one of four conditions:

1. Exhibits, on analysis, any of the characteristics of a hazardous waste defined as follows:

 

a. Ignitability - a solid waste that exhibits any of the following properties:

 

- Liquids, other than aqueous solutions containing less than 24 percent alcohol by volume, that have a flash point less than 60^oC, (140^oF).

- Materials other than liquids that are capable, under standard temperature and pressure, of causing fire by friction, absorption of moisture, or spontaneous chemical changes and, when ignited, burn so vigorously and persistently as to create a hazard.

- Flammable compressed gases as defined by U.S. Department of Transportation regulation 40 CFR 173.300 and as determined by the test methods described in that regulation.

- Oxidizers as defined in 49 CFR 173.151: a substance, such as a chlorate, permanganate, inorganic peroxide, or nitrate, that readily yields oxygen to stimulate the combustion of organic matter.

 

b. Corrosivity - a solid waste that exhibits any of the following properties:

 

- Aqueous materials with a pH less than or equal to 2 or greater than or equal to 12.5, as determined by a pH meter using EPA test Method 5.2 in "Test Methods for the Evaluation of Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods".

 

- Liquids that corrodes steel (SAE 1020) at a rate greater than 1/4 inch per year at a temperature of 55^oC (130^oF) as determined by the test method specified in the National Association of Corrosion Engineers Standard TM-01-69.

 

c. Reactivity - a solid waste that exhibits any of the following properties:

 

- Normally unstable and readily undergoes violent change without detonating.

- Reacts violently with water.

- Forms a potentially explosive mixture with water.

- Generates toxic gases, vapors, or fumes in a quantity sufficient to present a danger to public health or the environment when mixed with water.

- Contains cyanide or sulfide bearing waste which, when exposed to pH conditions between 2 and 12.5, can generate toxic gases, vapors, or fumes in a quantity sufficient to present a danger to public health or the environment.

- Capable of detonating or exploding when subjected to a strong initiating source or heated under confinement.

- Readily capable of detonating, exploding, or reacting at standard temperature and pressure.

- Classified as a forbidden explosive as defined in 49 CFR 173.51 or a class A explosive as defined in 49 CFR 173.53, or a class B explosive as defined in 49 CFR 173.88.

 

d. Toxicity - As of September 25, 1990, the "TC" rule replaced the existing EP Tox test with the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP). The TCLP analysis modified procedures used to extract a liquid sample from the waste (when necessary), and added regulatory levels for 25 organic chemicals to the levels previously established under the EP Tox test. This list can be found in Appendix A.

 

2. A waste is also hazardous if it is named on one of the three lists developed by the EPA:

a. Non-specific Source Wastes - These are generic wastes produced by manufacturing and industrial processes.

b. Specific Source Wastes - These are wastes from specifically identified industries.

c. Commercial Chemical Products - List consists of specific commercial chemical products or manufacturing chemical intermediates. These lists are included in Appendix C.

 

3. A Mixture must be classified as hazardous if it contains a listed hazardous waste and a non-hazardous waste.

ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS AS HAZARDOUS

WASTE GENERATORS

Until 1984, most academic institutions that generated hazardous wastes were exempt from many of the RCRA requirements for generators, because they generated less than 1,000 kg per month of hazardous waste. However, when that limit was lowered to 100 kg per month for conditionally exempt small quantity generators, almost all colleges and universities fell under the regulations established by RCRA.

On June 21, 1989, EPA submitted "Hazardous Waste Management: Report to Congress -- Management of Hazardous Waste Generated from Educational Institutions." This report provides an overview of statutes and regulations that affect universities. Also, current hazardous waste practices and related problems found at universities are discussed. Although the report examines hazardous waste management at academic institutions, the report did not recommend to congress any changes in the present regulations. Until such changes are made, universities will remain subject to all RCRA requirements.

RCRA Enforcement

Of the various regulations that the generator must follow, the generator must also share in the responsibilities for the safe management and ultimate disposal of all wastes. If the transporter or disposal facility fails to take proper care of the waste or does not prevent the wastes from being released into the environment, the generator can and will be held responsible.

EPA is authorized to seek civil and criminal penalties for RCRA violations. Educational institutions have not been excluded. Several universities have been found guilty of RCRA violations and have had to pay substantial penalties. Under new (Oct. 1990) revisions, individuals guilty of RCRA violations can be personally brought to court and face mandatory penalties, as well as, imprisonment. One substantial meaningful penalty for violation of EPA Regulations is that the institution and in consequence faculty, staff and researchers may not receive Federal funds.

Due to these developments, universities must ensure that staff, faculty members, and students are properly trained concerning waste management practices.

HAZARDOUS WASTE MINIMIZATION

East Tennessee State University is committed to the protection of human health and the environment. To meet these commitments, the University strongly encourages its employees to utilize chemical waste minimization (waste reduction) techniques to reduce the volume and toxicity of chemical wastes produced at the University. An important benefit from waste minimization is that it will help reduce the University's escalating chemical disposal costs.

The following describes common waste minimization techniques:

1. Purchasing. Purchase only the quantity of chemical required for specific projects. Find the minimum unit required for an experiment and order accordingly. Do not stockpile chemicals unnecessarily.

 

2. Product Substitution. Substitute non-hazardous or less toxic materials in your chemical processes and experiments. Some examples of this are:

 

a. The use of water based inks instead of solvent based inks in printing operations.

b. Detergents and enzymatic cleaners can be substituted for sulfuric acid/potassium dichromate (chromerge) cleaning solutions and ethanol/potassium hydroxide cleaning solutions.

c. Avoid the use of known carcinogens, mutagens, or extremely hazardous chemicals where possible.

 

3. Process Modification. To the extent that it does not compromise vital research, teaching or service, laboratories are encouraged to modify experimental or standard processes to decrease the quantity of hazardous chemicals used and generated. Where possible, micro and semi-micro techniques should be used to reduce the amount of waste generated.

 

4. Segregation and Characterization.

 

a. Do not mix hazardous wastes with nonhazardous waste.

b. Accurately label waste containers as to their exact content and approximate percentages. Segregation and characterization simplifies the waste stream, thus minimizing the cost of disposal.

 

5. Chemical Redistribution. Unopened or unused portions of chemicals may be redistributed within the East Tennessee State University campus. If you have a chemical you no longer want, but feel it is still in useable condition, contact the Health & Safety Office.

 

6. Recycling. The University collects some precious metals and valuable chemicals for recycling by outside contractors to reduce waste treatment costs. Also, some campus departments are involved in the reclamation of precious metals and chemicals from laboratory process. Some examples of this are:

 

- Cinema & Photography; photo fixer is processed to reclaim silver.

- Mercury is collected for redistillation.

- Fuel grade solvents are reclaimed by vendors for use as an energy source or recycling.

- Used motor or pump oil are collected by a vendor for recycling.

 

7. Management. It is important to audit chemical supplies and use inventory control. Purchase only the quantity of chemical required. If you have chemicals stored in a "shared" storeroom, take responsibility for disposal of old chemicals left by personnel or students no longer with the university.

 

8. Training. Train your employees when they are first hired and yearly thereafter in waste minimization concepts. Training should include an explanation of the concepts described above an a discussion of how your department can implement specific waste minimization measures.

 

The Health & Safety Office is responsible for the management of all chemical waste (hazardous and non-hazardous) generated by East Tennessee State University. In order to comply with the many regulations set by RCRA, ETSU policies have been adopted to ensure safe and efficient disposal of wastes generated in academic laboratories.

The Health & Safety Office will manage the collection, transportation and off-campus disposal of hazardous waste generated in academic teaching and research facilities. However, assistance from the academic community is needed during the first (and in essence) most important step of the process - the generation phase.

RCRA Regulations as adopted and promulgated by the Tennessee Hazardous Waste Management Regulations (Tennessee Rule Chapter 1200-1-11) pertaining to Generators and Transporters of Hazardous Wastes, require specific methods of collecting and storing the waste at the point of generation. The following is a listing of policy guidelines which need to be complied with in all academic and research laboratories. Following these guidelines will not only bring ETSU into compliance, but will greatly assist the Health and Safety Office in the safe handling and proper disposal of all hazardous waste.

1. All waste must be in an appropriate sealed container, i.e., glass or plastic bottles with screw on caps. No corks or ground glass stoppers should be used. The container must be secured with a screw type lid so if at any point the container were to fall on its side, the waste would not be released. Also, the waste must be stored in an appropriate container that will not react with the waste.

NOTE: Do not add experimental material to a waste container until it has gone through its complete reaction. If reacting material is added to a waste jar and then sealed, pressure build-up could result.

 

2. The waste container must be kept closed except when waste is being added. This prevents fugitive vapors from being released and reduces the amount of exposure. This also helps prevent the waste from being released if it were to fall on its side in an accident.

 

The use of sodium or potassium dichromate dissolved in concentrated sulfuric acid as a cleaning solution presents special handling and disposal problems. Chromic acid is a powerful oxidizing agent, and as such, has the potential to explode on contact with certain oxidizable organic materials. In addition, it is both toxic and corrosive. Instances of burns to both skin and clothing due to spillage of chromic acid cleaning solutions have occurred. The Health and Safety Office urges you to consider the following list of alternate cleaning agents that have been proven to be satisfactory as cleaners and significantly less toxic and hazardous.

- Alconox (powder)

- S/P Contrad 70 (concentrated liquid)

- S/P Laboratory Detergent Concentrate (powder)

- Fisherbrand Sparkleen (powder)

- FL-70 Concentrate (concentrated liquid)

- Liquinox Liquid Detergent (liquid)

- NoChromix

- Isoclean (concentrated liquid)

- Count-Off (concentrated liquid)

- Lift Away Concentrated Decontaminant (liquid)

- RBS 35 Concentrate (concentrated liquid)

a. Acceptable as non-halogenated waste solvents

- Non-halogenated organic solvents

- Solutes containing small amounts of halogens

b. Halogenated solvents that should be in separate containers

- Halogenated organic solvents

- Solvent mixtures with more than 1% halogenated solvent by volume

- Organic solvents with large amounts of halogenated solute

 

c. Substances that should not be put in containers with organic solvents:

 

- Solutions of acids or bases

- Aqueous solutions of toxic organic chemicals

- Metallic compounds containing, Ag, As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sb.

- Sulfides or inorganic cyanides

- Strong oxidizers or reducers

- Water reactive substances

- Large amounts of water

Departments who generate large volumes of individual solvents should consider recycling methods such as distillation, rather than costly disposal. The amount of money saved in solvent purchase costs usually far exceeds the capital expense for such equipment and the success of such programs is well documented, as is the purity of recovered solvent.

Each container of hazardous waste must have an ETSU Hazardous Waste Tag filled out and securely attached to the container. The tag is numbered and corresponds to an internal ETSU Manifest which bears the same number. The manifest must also be completed and remain with the container until the waste is picked-up by Health and Safety.

When the waste is ready to be picked-up, a Physical Plant work order request should be completed and submitted to Physical Plant. Any special waste handling requirements should be included on the work order request. At the time of pick-up, the blue copy of the manifest is left with the department as their record that the waste has been properly turned-in.

A container or an inner liner removed from a container that has held any hazardous wastes, except a compressed gas or an acute hazardous waste, is empty if all wastes have been removed that can be removed using the practices commonly used to remove materials from that type of container, (i.e., pouring, pumping), and the following conditions are met:

1. No more than 1" of residue remains on the bottom of the container.

2. No more than 3 percent by weight of the total capacity of the container remains in the container if the container is less than or equal to 110 gallons in size.

3. No more than 0.3 percent by weight of the total capacity of the container remains in the container if the container is greater than 110 gallons in size.

 

A container that has held a hazardous waste that is a compressed gas is empty when the pressure in the container approaches atmospheric.

A container or inner liner that has held an acute hazardous waste is empty if the container or inner liner has been triple-rinsed using a solvent capable of removing the chemical product or if the container has been cleaned by another method that has been shown in the scientific literature, or by tests conducted by the generator, to achieve equal removal.

Examples of nonhazardous waste are given on the following pages. These chemicals were selected because they:

-- have oral-rat LD50 toxicity values higher than 500 mg/kg., and

-- have no positive determination for carcinogenicity according to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 1979 Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances.

 

List of Solid Nonhazardous Waste

Acid, Ascorbic

Acid, Benzoic

Acid, Boric

Acid, Casamino

Acid, Citric

Acid, Oleic

Acid, Lactic

Acid, Phosphotungstic

Acid, Phthalic

Acid, Salicylic

Acid, Silicic

Acid, Stearic

Acid, Succinic

Acid, Tartaric

Agar

Albumen

Aluminum Hydroxide

Aluminum Metal

Aluminum Oxide

Amino Acids (naturally occurring)

Ammonium Bicarbonate

Ammonium Carbonate

Ammonium Chloride

Ammonium Citrate

Ammonium Lactate

Ammonium Phosphate

Ammonium Sulfate

Ammonium Sulphamate

Barium Carbonate

Barium Sulphate

Brain Heart Infusion

Brom Phenol Blue

Broth, Nutrient

Calcium Borate

Calcium Carbonate

Calcium Chloride

Calcium Citrate

Calcium Lactate

Calcium Phosphate

Calcium Sulphate

Cobalt Oxide

Copper Oxide

Crystal Violet

Dextrose

Drierite

Extract, Malt

Extract, Yeast

Ferrous Ammonium Sulphate

Galactose

Gelatin

Graphite

Gum, Arabic

Gum, Guaic

Hematoxylin

Iron Oxide

Kaolin

Lactose

Lithium Carbonate

Lithium Chloride

Lithium Sulphate

Magnesium Borate

Magnesium Carbonate

Magnesium Chloride

Magnesium Citrate

Magnesium Lactate

Magnesium Oxide

Magnesium Phosphate

Magnesium Oxide

Magnesium Sulphate

Maltose

Manganese

Manganese Acetate

Manganese Chloride

Manganese Dioxide

Manganese Oxide

Methyl Red

Methyl Salicylate

Methylene Blue

Paraffin

Pepsin

Peptone

Petroleum Jelly

Potassium Acetate

Potassium Bicarbonate

Potassium Bisulphate

Potassium Bitartrate

Potassium Borate

Potassium Bromate

Potassium Bromide

Potassium Carbonate

Potassium Citrate

Potassium Chloride

Potassium Iodide

Potassium Lactate

Potassium Phosphate

Potassium Sodium Tartrate

Potassium Sulphate

Potassium Sulphite

Potassium Sulphocyanate

Pumice

Sodium Acetate

Sodium Ammonium Phosphate

Sodium Benzoate

Sodium Bicarbonate

Sodium Bisulphate

Sodium Bisulphite

Sodium Borate

Sodium Bromide

Sodium Carbonate

Sodium Chloride

Sodium Citrate

SDS (Sodium Dodecyl

Sulfate)

Sodium Formate

Sodium Iodide

Sodium Lactate

Sodium Phosphate

Sodium Salicylate

Sodium Silicate

Sodium Succinate

Sodium Sulphate

Sodium Thioglycollate

Sodium Thiosulphate

Sodium Tungstate

Starch

Strontium Carbonate

Strontium Phosphate

Strontium Sulfate

Sulphur

Sugars

Sucrose

Talcum Powder

Thymol

Tin Metal

Tin Oxide

Trypticase

Tryptone

Urea

Wax, Bee's

Zinc Oxide

Some chemical wastes, (less than 100 grams at a time) can be safely disposed of into the sanitary sewer system if they are water soluble, degradable, and properly diluted. Chemicals in solid form should first be dissolved in water. All chemicals put into the sanitary sewer system should be followed by a 20 to 50 fold dilution of water. If you intend to dispose of more than one pound of any one of these chemicals, or if you have any questions, call the Health and Safety Office.

The following list comprises water-soluble compounds of low-toxic-hazard cations and low-toxic-hazard anions. Compounds of any of these ions that are strongly acidic or basic should be neutralized before disposal down the drain.

Al³⁺

Ca²⁺

Cu²⁺

Fe^{2+, 3+}

H⁺

K⁺

Li⁺

Mg²⁺

Na⁺

NH₄⁺

Sn²⁺

Sr²⁺

Ti^{3+, 4+}

Zn²⁺

Zr²⁺

1. Designate two people in your lab or service area to be on-site emergency coordinator and back-up emergency coordinator. These people should know what hazards exist in your area and how to implement this spill response plan (contingency plan) for the area. They will act as advisors to Police, Fire Department, and Health & Safety Personnel.

 

2. Prepare an Emergency Contingency Plan.

 

3. Train all your employees in chemical spill procedures when they are first hired and yearly thereafter. Document the training and have employee and supervisor sign the documentation form to certify that the training was given.

 

4. Purchase spill cleanup material and personal protective equipment (respirators, chemical resistant suits and gloves, safety goggles, etc.) for your laboratory. Know what the limitations of the personal protective equipment are. If you have any questions about the personal protective equipment, call the Health & Safety Office.

 

 

Chemical spill or hazardous materials emergency situations should be handled as a fire emergency. Initial response in a fire situation can be summarized as RESCUE, CONFINE, REPORT, SECURE, and CLEANUP (FIGHT FIRE). These principles can also be applied to a hazardous materials spill situation.

1. Rescue

Just as you are not to re-enter a burning building, do NOT go back into an area where a chemical spill has occurred unless you have the proper equipment and training. In many documented cases, rescuers not wearing proper protective equipment have been overcome by toxic or asphyxiating gases trying to rescue other victims and died as a result. Do not make this mistake.

As you leave an area involved in a chemical spill, assist people exiting the area.

- Evacuate personnel from the spill area.

- Direct personnel to nearest fire exit. Do not use elevators.

- Alert neighbors.

- Attend to victims.

 

 

 

 

 

General:

- Remove victim from spill area to fresh air (but do not endanger your own life by entering areas with toxic gases).

- Immediately remove contaminated clothing.

- Wash skin with soap and water.

- Flush skin and/or eyes with water for at least 15 minutes. You may not feel any immediate effect from chemical spills, but it is very important to wash quickly and thoroughly as many chemicals can cause severe tissue damage which is not apparent until hours later.)

- Get medical attention for victims.

 

Chemical spills over large body areas:

- Remove contaminated clothing while under shower.

- Flood affected body area in cool water for at least fifteen minutes.

- Resume water wash if pain returns.

- Wash off chemicals with mild detergent and water; do not use neutralizing chemicals, unguents, creams, lotions or salves.

- Make sure medical personnel understand exactly what chemicals are involved.

 

Victims of Bromine spills:

- Flush with cold water; apply compress saturated with dilute sodium or potassium thiosulfate.

- Get immediate medical help.

 

Victims of Hydrogen Fluoride (HF) spills:

- Flush with cool water until any whitening of tissue disappears.

- Swath injured areas with soaking wet, iced cloths.

- Get immediate medical help.

 

3. Confine

- Close fire doors.

- Isolate area.

- Establish exhaust ventilation if possible.

- Vent fumes or vapors only to outside of the building.

- Open windows, if possible, without exposing yourself to fumes or vapors.

- If fumes or vapors are in room which is not vented to outside of building, close off room.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Report

Call Public Safety 9-911 or 4480:

- For spills that involve injury requiring medical treatment.

- For spills that involve fire or explosion hazards.

- For spills which are potentially life threatening.

 

Call Health & Safety Office:

- For chemical spill situations which do not require emergency medical assistance.

- For spills of one gallon of a chemical or more, or any quantity of a highly reactive or toxic material.

- For spills of an unknown chemical.

- For spills for which you do not have proper training or proper protective equipment to do the cleanup.

- For spills for which you have any questions or doubts about your ability to clean up the spill.

 

The type of information you will be requested to provide when you call 9-911 or Health & Safety consists of the following:

- First, state that this is an emergency.

- The name, telephone number and location of the reporter.

- Location of the incident.

- Time and type of incident.

- Name and quantity of material involved, to the extent known.

- The extent of injuries, if any.

- The possible hazards to human health or the environment outside the facility.

- Warn emergency responders of any other hazards they may encounter, such as large quantities of stored chemicals (particularly flammables, oxidizers and airborne toxic or irritant materials), or radioactive materials.

- The safest route to approach the spill.

 

5. Secure

Until Emergency Responders arrive on the scene, you and your staff will have to block off entrances to the spill site and prevent people from entering the contaminated area.

- Lock doors leading to the chemical spill and post signs on doors warning of the spill.

- Tape or rope off stairwells and elevators leading to the spill and hang signs on the tape.

- When chemical fumes are being spread through a building's air handling system, call the Physical Plant to have the ventilation system shut off.

- Post staff by commonly used entrances to the spill site, so they can warn people to use other routes.

- For large outdoor chemical spills, keep people upwind and uphill from the site.

 

6. Cleanup

Based on the chemical spill situations, decide who will do the cleanup. If you are going to do the cleanup, follow the procedures listed in the "What To Do When You Clean Up A Chemical Spill" section below.

Who Cleans Up A Chemical Spill

The following guidelines are offered to help you decide if you should clean up a chemical spill.

YOU CLEAN UP THE SPILL

For chemical spills which do not involve injury, do not represent a fire hazard, are less than one gallon, and for which you have the proper training and proper protective equipment to do the cleanup, you clean up the spill.

WE CLEAN UP THE SPILL

For all other chemical spill situations, including those for which you have any questions or doubts about your ability to clean up the spill, call the Health and Safety Office at 929-6201. Report all injuries, fires, explosions and potentially life threatening situations first to 9-911 or 4480, then to Health and Safety.

What To Do When You Clean Up A Chemical Spill

If you have the proper training, proper personal protective equipment and the proper material to absorb and clean up your chemical spill, and no one has been injured, the spill is contained, and the spill is not life threatening or a fire or explosion hazard, then follow these procedures:

1. Perform all the procedures in the RESCUE, CONFINE, REPORT, and SECURE sections above, with the exception that you do not need to report the incident to 9-911.

 

2. When cleaning spill yourself, locate the spill kit.

 

3. Chose appropriate personal protection.

 

- Always wear protective gloves and goggles or face shield.

- If there is a chance of body contact, wear apron and coveralls.

- If the spill is on the floor, wear rubber or plastic boots (NOT leather).

- If there are inhalation hazards, wear respirator.

 

4. Remove ignition sources.

 

- Turn off hot plates, stirring motors, flame sources.

- Shut down all equipment.

- If unable to shut off sources of ignition, notify emergency responders.

 

5. Confine or contain the spill.

- Cover with an absorbent mixture.

- Clean up minor spills with paper towels or sponge if they won't react.

- Sweep solid materials into a dust pan, place in sealed container.

- If acid/base, first add a neutralizing agent; sodium bicarbonate for acids, sodium bisulfate for bases.

 

* For small amounts of inorganic acids/bases, use neutralizing agent and absorbent material.

 

* For small amounts of other materials, absorb with non-reactive material (e.g. vermiculite, sand, towels, Floor-Dri).

 

* For large amounts of inorganic acids/bases, neutralize and call for help.

 

* For large amounts of other materials, make a judgement call: depending on the amount, toxicity or what the substance can run into or react with, you may handle it yourself or call for help.

 

6. Spills that require special handling:

- Use Oil-Dri, Zorb-all or dry sand.

- Avoid water, avoid sodium bicarbonate.

 

- Small spills (Broken Laboratory thermometer and smaller quantities of mercury), open windows and ventilate area while cleaning.

- Use aspirator bulb or suction device (available from Edmund Scientific and Markson Scientific).

 

- Smother with dry sand.

- Put in hood.

- If possible, dispose of by reaction with isopropyl alcohol.

 

- Blanket with wet sand or wet absorbent.

 

7. Remove absorbent material with a broom and dust pan.

- Place in plastic bag or other appropriate container.

- If the spilled chemical is a volatile solvent, transfer plastic bag to fume hood for evaporation of solvent.

- After evaporation, discard with other non-hazardous solid wastes.

- If spilled material is a non-volatile, hazardous chemical, dispose as a hazardous chemical waste.

- If spilled material is a non-volatile, non-hazardous chemical, contact the Health & Safety Office to determine the appropriate route of disposal.

 

8. Wet mop spill area.

Comments

Questions arise as to what constitutes a large spill requiring a chemical cleanup team and what are the limitations of the spill kits commonly purchased for laboratories.

A "large" spill can be as small as a few milliliters if the material is a highly volatile, toxic compound spilled in a confined space. Many times you will have to make a professional judgement as to the severity of the spill. When in doubt, you can always call the Health & Safety Office for advice.

Chemical spill cleanup kits are very handy to have in the lab and other service areas which use chemicals. The kits are useful if you and your fellow workers know how to use them properly. Chemical absorbent or neutralizing powder and pads can be used to quickly contain a spill.

Spill kits may contain a disposable organic vapor/acid gas respirator. Know what type of respirator you have - read the labels. Since respirators are certified for only certain types of chemicals, ensure the respirator provided or the one(s) available in your department are suitable for the material spilled. Once again, read the labels prior to using the respirator.

All disposable respirators are only effective in an atmosphere that is not deficient in oxygen (below 19.5 percent oxygen). Additionally most have limits on the concentrations to which they will provide adequate protection. Unless you have monitoring equipment which identifies the concentration, it is best to call the Health & Safety Office to determine if you should use the respirator to go back into a room to clean up a chemical spill.

Be aware of the fact that while you may be in a well ventilated room, the Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) of a chemical may be reached at the surface of the spill and you want to avoid any sparks or sources of ignition during the cleanup. Personal protective equipment in the Spill Kit will not protect you from a flash fire. Many times, the best way to handle the spill of a highly volatile compound, such as diethyl ether or chloroform, is to open windows and fume hoods, leave the room, close and lock the door and let the room air out. In these cases, call Public Safety and the Health & Safety Office so they can monitor the situation. In most cases of a chemical bottle breaking in a laboratory, however, you will not need to call the fire department as the lab ventilation system is usually designed to handle such situations.