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LABORATORY HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT AT UNC-CH
To demonstrate the proper methods of laboratory hazardous waste management for compliance with state and federal regulations.
Training Goal
Hazardous Waste
Waste that poses a threat to the environment or human health if not handled or disposed of properly
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) passed in 1975 Called for the establishment of regulations Directed by the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) to regulate proper management of hazardous wastes
Hazardous Waste Characteristics Under RCRA a waste can be hazardous if it
has certain characteristics Ignitability: if waste is a liquid with a
flashpoint of <140°F Corrosivity: if waste has a pH below 2 and
above 12.5 Reactivity: if waste reacts violently with air or
water Toxicity: if waste contains more than a
certain level of some toxic materials (as defined in 40 CFR 261.24)
“Cradle to Grave”
EPA’s comprehensive system of regulations
From the “cradle” (point of conception) to the “grave” (point of disposal)
Governs the following hazardous waste management activities: Generation Transportation Treatment Storage Disposal
Responsibilities of UNC-CH
EPA views UNC as a hazardous waste generator
Generators are responsible for: properly identifying hazardous waste proper management of hazardous waste
Use Storage Disposal
EPA Fines for Non-compliance The EPA does impose fines against
universities and colleges Examples include:
Boston University - $800,000 Penn State - $1 million UC Berkeley - $1 million Stanford University - $1 million
Most Common EPA Violations Most commonly cited EPA violations of
hazardous waste regulations are: Open containers or lids not screwed on tight Improper labels/identification Lack of secondary containment for leaks Hazardous waste storage location (point of
generation) The 4L’s – Lids, Leaks, Labels and Location
Lids
Are all containers labeled as hazardous waste closed and secured with proper lids? Lids/caps must be securely in-place except when
material is being removed or added to the container
A funnel resting on the mouth of a bottle does not constitute a lid
Lids/caps on waste containers must be on tight (Note: Be sure that gas producing reactions have worked to completion before transferring the material to a hazardous waste container)
A closed container, when tipped over, won’t leak!
Example – Open Containers
A funnel is not a lid!
Lid open when not in use
Leaks
Are containers labeled as hazardous waste stored in secondary containment? Secondary containment is to be used to minimize
the potential for breakage, spillage and the comingling of incompatible materials (i.e. acids and bases)
Plastic trays, pans or tubs can be used Without exception, secondary containment is
required for the following: All glass containers of liquid hazardous waste stored on
the floor All containers with capacity ≤4 liters of liquid hazardous
waste, regardless of storage location Hazardous materials are to be segregated by hazard
class and stored in separate cabinets, trays or pans
Example - Leaks
Potential spill contained by plastic tub (secondary containment)
Labels
Are all containers labeled as hazardous waste properly labeled? Regulations require that the name of the
chemical be clearly identified on the label Chemical formulas and abbreviations such as
H2SO4, HCl and EtBr are not accepted by the EPA
Hazardous waste regulations require the words “Hazardous Waste”, or words which clearly identify the contents such as “Acetone Waste”, be on each waste container
Example - Labels
Chemical formulas are not allowed
If you re-use a container for collecting waste you must deface the original label
Location
Are all containers labeled as hazardous waste stored at or near the point of generation? Hazardous waste regulations require that the
generator accumulate hazardous waste in containers at or near the point of generation where waste initially accumulates, and which is under the control of the operator who generated the waste
Under no circumstances can waste be stored down the hall and/or out of your control
Hazardous Waste Containers Each laboratory must supply their own
containers The original container the chemical came in is
usually the best All containers must have securely fitting lids/caps All containers must be compatible with their
contents For liquid waste, EHS prefers the amber 4 liter
solvent bottles because they are non-recyclable and are compatible with most types of waste
For mixed hazardous waste a log of contents, quantities, dates added and initials of depositor should be located on or near the container
Liquid Hazardous Waste Containers Leave 10% headspace (volume left at
top of container) in case of expansion due to temperature
Do not pour hot liquids into waste bottles Do not comingle incompatible wastes
(i.e. acids and bases) Provide secondary containment Any containers with capacity of ≤4 liters
must have secondary containment
Solid Hazardous Waste Containers If original containers are not available
double-bag the material place in a sturdy cardboard box for support
Bags used should be trash bags Absolutely no Biohazard or Radiation
bags!
Gas Cylinders
Consider buying refillable returnable cylinders
Contact the supplier and make sure they will accept the cylinder when you are finished with it
Don’t call it “empty” unless it is Lecture bottles can not be thrown in the
trash when empty
To be considered empty, an aerosol can must
contain NO propellant and NO product, and must
be at atmospheric pressure. UNC regulates all partially empty spray cans as Hazardous Waste because they may still contain ignitable propellants, chlorinated solvents, flammable material, or toxic substances.
Do Not discard partially empty spray cans in the trash. Do Not puncture any aerosol cans. Store used Aerosol cans in a Closed container labeled as “Aerosol Cans”. Return spray cans that malfunction (for example, the tip breaks off) to the
manufacturer or dispose of them as Hazardous Waste. Request a pick-up of your aerosol cans by filling out the form found here
at https://itsapps.unc.edu/HazMat_Pickup/. Contact UNC EHS at 962-5723 for questions or assistance with disposal of
aerosol cans.
Managing Aerosol Cans
UNC-CH Hazardous Waste Disposal Procedures EHS has established an online chemical waste
pick-up form (e510) for laboratory personnel https://itsapps.unc.edu/HazMat_Pickup/
All personnel registered as working in a lab can request waste pick-up for his/her Principal Investigator by accessing online form with ONYEN
You must have a Laboratory Worker Registration form on file at EHS and have completed the General Laboratory Environment training to be able to access the chemical waste disposal form
UNC-CH Hazardous Waste Disposal Procedures After completion of the online request
form (e510), it is submitted electronically to EHS for approval
If all information is correct and complete, EHS will send the approved form back via email
This approval form must be printed out and attached to the waste container for pickup
Example – Waste Pickup Form
Waste Pickup Form (e510)
Bulk Laboratory Clean-out or Close-out If you have a large
amount of chemicals in your lab for disposal, contact Steve Parker ([email protected])
EHS can set up a direct shipment straight from your lab without filling out an online e510 form for each chemical
Unknown Chemicals
Check with all lab personnel and try to make a waste determination
Contact EHS to assist with pickup (Steve Parker, [email protected])
Reactive Chemicals
Old or expired reactive chemicals can be potentially dangerous
Peroxide formers such as ether should not be handled
Notify EHS immediately if found in your lab (Steve Parker, [email protected])
Hazardous Waste Minimization In order to minimize the waste generated
on campus, labs should do the following: Practice inventory control using the EHS online
chemical inventory system (https://itsapps.unc.edu/EHSLogin/?type=3&app=ChemInventory/)
Practice good housekeeping and safe handling Only order the amount you intend to use Explore the use of non-hazardous alternatives
Training Post-test
You have completed the Laboratory Hazardous Waste Management at UNC-CH training module
If you have any questions regarding this training please contact EHS at (919)-962-5507
In order to receive credit for this training, you must complete the post-test