CHAPTER 10

Chemical containers with obvious signs of degradation such as split caps, accumulation of deposits on the inside or outside of bottles or on shelf surfaces in the storage area; formation of two phases or change in physical state or formation of crystalline structures within liquids, are considered by the U.S. EPA as being “inherently waste-like”, and should be addressed immediately by discarding the chemical. Some changes are subtle, and not readily noticeable. Become familiar with the chemical and its physical and chemical hazards before using or storing it, and examine your stock occasionally. Chemicals with no labels, abbreviations that are not commonly recognized are unacceptable and should be addressed immediately.

Metallic mercury may be found in manometers, thermometers, switches, thermostats, and pressure equipment. Liquid mercury is considered to be hazardous, and cannot be discarded in regular trash. When equipment containing mercury is broken, place contaminated items in a plastic bag and schedule a chemical pick-up online. If mercury is spilled, contact EHS at 772-21781 for spill cleanup.

The specific procedures for cleaning up chemical spills are explained in Chapter 8 Chemical Safety. The yellow card attached to all UTMB badges also contains the emergency guidelines to follow in case of a hazardous chemical spill.

Campus interior drains are connected to the sanitary sewer system, and their effluent drains to the City of Galveston Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant. Generally disposal of chemicals down the drain is prohibited by Federal, State, and local laws and regulations. The range of substances that can be considered hazardous waste is enormous, if you are unsure how to manage a chemical contact EHS at ext. 70515.

There are some chemicals that are water-soluble, moderate pH, of low toxicity, and may be safely discarded in the sanitary sewer. Materials appropriate for sewer disposal in limited quantities have to be easily biodegradable or amenable to treatment by the waste water treatment process. Sanitary sewer disposal activities must have prior approval from EHS in the form of documentation otherwise the action of “drain disposal of chemical waste” is considered illegal.

Use of select agent toxins require special procedures developed as part of the laboratory high risk plans which are approved through the Chemical Safety Committee. There is more information available in the Chemical Safety Chapter 8.

Aerosol containers may be disposed of in regular trash but not allowed as medical waste. Submit Online Chemical Pickup Request disposal of ethylene oxide cartridges; thin walled cartridges, lecture bottles, and disposable propane cylinders.

• Nitrous oxide – Nonflammable gas at room temperature; colorless, sweet tasting, and heavier than air.

• Ether – Colorless and highly flammable liquid with a low boiling point and a characteristic odor. Use of ether as an anesthetic is not approved on campus.

Saturated canisters (i.e., F/Air, Sodalime or other carbon filters) used in anesthetic gas scavenging systems and charcoal filters placed in laboratory vacuum lines are considered hazardous chemical waste.

Universal wastes are certain hazardous wastes that are so common that the possession is widespread. It is extremely difficult to regulate them as hazardous waste. These substances have a separate set of rules to follow, but are much less complicated. The regulation for universal waste can be found in 40 CFR 273. The following listed substances are considered to be universal waste.

It is very important to remember that universal waste is still harmful to the environment. Care must be taken to dispose of them properly. They cannot be thrown away in the trash dumpster.

Once you complete the required information, this web based form will be submitted to the Environmental Protection Management program and the request will be processed into the next pick-up day. Chemical pick-up days are Wednesday and Friday of each week. Radioactive pick-up days are Tuesday and Thursday. Once submitted, you will receive electronic confirmation of your request. You must have a Radioactive form filled out for each item to be picked up (e.g. one form for <300 day dry solids; on form for stock vials; you may have up to eight stock vials on one form) and signed with an authorized signature for a Radioactive pick up.

Online Waste Pick-up Request Instructions
1.	Complete the required contact information (name, room number, phone number, and building name)
2.	Comments section may be used for special request (i.e., return safety can) Chemical pick-ups of <20 items should be entered as a Lab clean out request.
3.	At least one item must be listed using TAB key to move between fields. List the chemical identity of the material. No abbreviations or trademark names unless the MSDS is provided.
4.	For chemical mixtures in one container: - List all chemicals in the mixture by percent - List the solvent if a solution including water - List the total quantity of the mixture
5.	Each chemical container must be labeled to identify the contents
6.	All chemicals must be in a tight, sealed container, no glass stopper or bottles, etc.
7.	A radioactive form must be filled out for each box to be picked up and be signed by an authorized person.
8.	The person completing the pick-up request is legally responsible for the accuracy of the information provided.

A laboratory clean out can occur when relocating a laboratory, closing a laboratory permanently or simply down sizing the chemical inventory. Contact EHS prior to clean out begins for assistance in the process. A two-week or more notice, if possible, would be appreciated. Specific instructions for relocation and closure of laboratories can be found in the Chemical Safety Chapter 8 and the Biological Safety Chapter 9 of this manual.

EHS is responsible for providing assistance to off site clinics personnel with disposal arrangements for hazardous chemicals. The Clinics will be responsible for ensuring hazardous materials are stored appropriately, coordinating disposal arrangements through EHS, and assuming the disposal costs.

Classes of Chemicals That Can Form Peroxides Upon Aging
Class I: Unsaturated materials, especially those of low molecular weight, may polymerize violently and hazardously due to peroxide initiation.
Acrylic acid	Tetrafluoroethylene *
Acrylonitrile	Vinyl acetate
Butadiene *	Vinyl acetylene
Chlorobutadiene (chloroprene) *	Vinyl chloride
Chlorotrifluoroethylene	Vinyl pyridine
Methyl methacrylate	Vinylidene chloride
Styrene
Discard at 12 Months
Class II: The following chemicals are a peroxide hazard upon concentration (distillation/evaporation). A test for peroxide should be performed if concentration is intended or suspected.
Acetal	Dioxane (p-dioxane)
Cumene	Ethylene glycol dimethyl ether (glyme)
Cyclohexene	Furan
Cyclooctene	Methyl acetylene
Cyclopentene	Methyl cyclopentane
Diacetylene	Methyl-i-butyl ketone
Dicyclopentadiene	Tetrahydrofuran
Diethylene glycol dimethyl ether	Tetrahydronaphthalene
Diethyl ether	Vinyl ethers
Discard at 12 Months
Class III: Peroxides derived from the following compounds may explode without concentration.
Organic	Inorganic
Divinyl ether	Potassium metal
Divinyl acetylene	Potassium amide
Isopropyl ether	Sodium amide (sodamide)
Vinylidene chloride
Discard at 3 Months
* When stored as a liquid, the peroxide-forming potential increases and the chemical should then be considered a Class III.

CHAPTER 10

HAZARDOUS MATERIAL DISPOSAL

4.0 DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL WASTE

Table 2 – Shock-Sensitive Compounds