OEH&S Chemical Safety Manual Chapter 9

UCSF GUIDE FOR DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS (CHEMICAL) WASTE

UCSF generates hazardous (chemical) waste from all areas of the campus: specifically from research, teaching, and clinical laboratory activities; department workshops and facilities maintenance operations; patient care activities; and administrative units. Even though the responsibility for waste management begins with the individual, laboratory or operation, the volume and complexity of waste material and the variety and number of generators at the many campus locations dictate the need for a comprehensive campus-wide HAZARDOUS (CHEMICAL) WASTE Program.

This chapter describes the guidelines for the classification, segregation, identification, packaging, notification and disposal of HAZARDOUS (CHEMICAL) WASTE.

Generally, the disposal costs for HAZARDOUS (CHEMICAL) WASTE produced as a result of normal and routine operations are paid by OEH&S; however, the costs of removing chemicals left by previous occupants and certain other types of hazardous materials may be the responsibility of individual departments and or units. Usually, OEH&S does not pay disposal costs without prior written approval from the Director of OEH&S in the following situations:

• HAZARDOUS (CHEMICAL) WASTE generated from construction maintenance, renovation, demolition, and/or construction operations.



• HAZARDOUS (CHEMICAL) WASTE left by a previous occupant or research venture.



• HAZARDOUS (CHEMICAL) WASTE requiring special disposal procedures or which have unusually high disposal costs. Examples include potential explosives, lecture bottles and/or compressed gas cylinders, and several "forbidden" chemicals for transport.



• HAZARDOUS (CHEMICAL) WASTE resulting from a fire or chemical accident.



• HAZARDOUS (CHEMICAL) WASTE resulting from Power Plant operations and Faculty Practices.



• Abandoned HAZARDOUS (CHEMICAL) WASTE.



• Special analytical laboratory costs to determine the chemical components of unknown waste.

Top of page

A. GUIDELINES FOR THE PREPARATION OF WASTE AT UCSF

To properly prepare waste for disposal by OEH&S, first identify the waste materials as either radioactive, biological, or chemical. Solid or liquid chemicals must never be placed in the ordinary trash or poured into a drain for disposal unless this procedure has been approved by OEH&S in advance.

B. SPECIAL CONSIDERATION AND/OR HANDLING

Certain types of waste require special consideration and/or handling:
Feel free to call OEH&S at 476-0964 if you have questions or need assistance.

1. LECTURE BOTTLES CYLINDERS incur very high disposal costs. To minimize costs, purchase cylinders from Matheson Gas and/or Sigma Aldrich. Both companies accept disposable cylinders like lecture bottles for return. Call them directly and ask for their “Return Cylinder Information” prior to purchase. Otherwise, submit a HAZARDOUS (CHEMICAL) WASTE REMOVAL form for disposal.



2. AEROSOL CONTAINERS such as spray paint cans must be disposed of as hazardous waste. Submit a HAZARDOUS (CHEMICAL) WASTE REMOVAL form for their disposal.



3. UNKNOWN CHEMICALS require special handling. The responsible department must make every effort to classify the materials, which are being disposed. Basic waste analysis procedure is shown in Appendix A6.



4. POTENTIAL EXPLOSIVES which are shock sensitive, explosive, or highly reactive chemicals require that removal arrangements be made with a qualified hazardous (chemical) waste vendor specializing in handling these types of chemical. See Attachment 2 for partial listing of the potential explosives.



5. EMPTY GLASS CONTAINERS of 5-gallon or less in capacity must be placed in a hard sided container before disposal in the trash. The container must not have any liquid or residue when tilted at any orientation and labels must be defaced. OEH&S recommends that chemical containers be saved and re-used to hold compatible hazardous (chemical) waste. Other empty containers of 10-gallons or more cannot be disposed in regular trash but must be returned to the original distributor either for reuse, reconditioning, and/or to reclaim their scrap value.



6. CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES with expired dates and/or which are unwanted must be disposed of in accordance with the policies and procedures approved by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.



7. EXPIRED PHARMACEUTICAL DRUGS (i.e. over the counter medications or prescription drugs) may be accepted for processing and destruction by a local pharmaceutical or medical waste vendor. A listing of the drugs is necessary along with the National Drug Code (NDC) number, manufacturer name, and trade or brand name. Expired pharmaceutical drugs that exhibit the hazardous (chemical) waste characteristic of toxicity should be disposed as hazardous (chemical) waste. Submit HAZARDOUS (CHEMICAL) WASTE REMOVAL form for disposal.



8. PHOTOGRAPHIC HAZARDOUS (CHEMICAL) WASTE (spent photographic fixer) produced during photo processing should be collected for silver recovery and not released to the sanitary sewer. Certain photographic developers, activators, and stabilizers such as those produced in the Electron Microscopy laboratory must also be disposed of as hazardous (chemical) waste. Submit HAZARDOUS (CHEMICAL) WASTE REMOVAL form for disposal.



9. BATTERIES are considered a major source of toxic metal pollution due to air emissions from incinerators and leaching into soils from landfills. Regulations required that batteries be separated into several categories (general purpose, button, rechargeable, and lead-acid) for collection and disposal. Submit HAZARDOUS (CHEMICAL) WASTE REMOVAL form for disposal.



10. METALLIC MERCURY containing materials such as old manometers, broken thermometers, blood pressure apparatus, and vapor lamps should be collected by OEH&S. Do not place broken thermometers inside sharps containers. Submit HAZARDOUS (CHEMICAL) WASTE REMOVAL form for disposal. (See Appendix A9)



11. 10% FORMALIN: Tissues or organs immersed in 10% formalin must be separated before disposal. After the separation, the tissues and organs should be red bagged for medical waste disposal. Submit HAZARDOUS (CHEMICAL) WASTE REMOVAL form for the disposal of the 10% formalin liquid waste.



12. CHEMOTHERAPY WASTE: Trace chemotherapy waste must be separated from concentrated waste. "TRACE AMOUNT" of chemotherapy waste includes empty containers of chemotherapy (may contain residual solution), used IV tubing, and any contaminated personal protective equipment worn when handling chemotherapy (i.e. gloves, gowns, masks, goggles). Also includes soiled chux pads and diapers of patients receiving chemotherapy from start of therapy to 48 hours after last dose.
    
    CONCENTRATED chemotherapy waste includes partially used containers of chemotherapy (bags, drug vials and syringes containing visible and pourable material and solutions of chemotherapy). Submit CONCENTRATED HAZARDOUS (CHEMICAL) WASTE pick-up form for its disposal. (See Appendix A3)
    
    TRACE CHEMOTHERAPY waste is disposed of as medical waste and concentrated chemotherapy waste is disposed of as hazardous (chemical) waste.



13. BLACK POWDER TONERS containing styrene/acrylate polymer, acrylic resin, carbon black and polyolefin may be placed in the trash for disposal. In general, laser cartridges should not be placed in the trash for disposal. Call the manufacturer or distributor for recycling. Color toners containing heavy metals must be disposed through OEH&S. Submit HAZARDOUS (CHEMICAL) WASTE REMOVAL form for color toners disposal.



14. ETHIDIUM BROMIDE generated waste (gels, buffer solutions, debris) must be disposed through OEH&S. Submit HAZARDOUS (CHEMICAL) WASTE REMOVAL form for disposal.



15. DENTAL AMALGAM is mixture of mercury with silver tin alloy. CAL/EPA considers them as scrap metal for recycling rather than as hazardous (chemical) waste.



16. FLUORESCENT TUBES and HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE LAMPS contain mercury and require recycling.



17. FLUORESCENT LIGHT BALLASTS, which contain Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are considered hazardous (chemical) waste and are regulated by the CAL/EPA. Ballasts manufactured after January 1, 1978 do not contain PCBs, and should be labeled “No PCBs” on the ballast.



18. POISON INHALATION HAZARD CHEMICALS require special transportation arrangement from UCSF to the designated treatment facility. See Appendix A8 for partial listing.



19. RICIN is labeled extremely toxic. It is used as a tool in cancer research studies wherein the ricin is injected into the sheep's lower lung lobe. OEH&S must collect the ricin contaminated lung material for proper disposal.



20. URANYL COMPOUNDS are received at UCSF as chemical rather than as radioactive. Examples of such compounds are uranyl acetate and uranyl nitrate. Collection and disposal, however, is done through the OEH&S Radioactive Waste Program.



21. DIOXIN and DIOXIN-LIKE COMPOUNDS are compounds from a group of halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons that have molecules shaped like 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin or TCDD. These compounds produce similar toxic effects like other chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (CDDs) and certain chlorinated dibenzofurans (CDFs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), brominated dibenzo-p-dioxins (BDDs), and brominated dibenzofurans (BDFs).

Top of page

C. SEGREGATION

Please follow the following procedures for hazardous (chemical) waste storage and segregation.

Set up a disposal area so that your waste is collected and segregated as it is generated. This will prevent the occurrence of incompatible mixtures. The waste container should be placed in a secondary container (e.g. a large plastic pan) which is large enough to catch the contents of the waste container should a spill occur.

1. SEGREGATE BY CHEMICAL CATEGORY ACCORDING TO THESE RULES:

1. Segregate all potential explosive chemicals from all other chemicals. A potential explosive chemical is a material that may ignite as a result of conditions that normally exist in the ambient environment, such as heat, light, shock, friction and the presence of water or result from long-term storage in the environment. Package the chemicals separately in such a way as to contain and isolate any ignition that may occur. These chemicals are not removed with normal hazardous (chemical) waste. Contact OEH&S at 476-0544 to arrange special removal by a licensed hazardous (chemical) vendor.



2. Segregate strong oxidizers from all organics and package separately.



3. Segregate acids and bases and package separately.



4. Segregate heavy metal solutions and salts and package separately.



5. Segregate chemical carcinogens and package separately.



6. Segregate cyanides containing materials and package separately.



7. Segregate vacuum pump oil for recycling and package separately.



8. Segregate compressed gasses and aerosol containers and package separately.



9. Do not mix waste hydrocarbon solvents in the same container with halogenated solvents. The hydrocarbon solvents can be recycled if not contaminated with halogens.



10. Segregate all alkali metal solutions and water reactive chemicals from moisture, water, and other chemicals. Package separately. Protect from water. Place warning labels on the packages.



11. Segregate peroxide-forming chemicals from all other combustible materials and mineral acids. Package separately. Separation may be from a distance or barrier.

Keeping waste materials segregated from each other requires only a reasonable amount of forethought and effort, and should be required of EVERY individual in the laboratory. A list of incompatibles is available from OEH&S.

Top of page

D. IDENTIFICATION

1. PROPERLY IDENTIFY AND LABEL THE CONTENTS OF EACH WASTE CONTAINER

Attach a HAZARDOUS (CHEMICAL) WASTE TAG (HWT) to each waste container that identifies its contents and specifies the amount of every waste constituent. Include the identity of commercial products as well as chemical reagents. Labels such as "NON-FLAMMABLE WASTE" or "ORGANIC SOLVENT WASTE" are not acceptable. HWTs are available from OEH&S by calling 476-0544. See Appendix A4 for Procedures For Using The Hazardous (Chemical) Waste Tag. ALL CONSTITUENTS in mixtures (solid or liquid) must be identified and their concentrations stated (%, ppm, M). Acids and bases other than pure material in its original container must be analyzed and their strengths given in normality, molarity, or weight percent.

2. IDENTIFY WASTE MATERIALS ON THE HAZARDOUS (CHEMICAL) WASTE TAG IN ONE OF THE FOLLOWING THREE WAYS:

1. Chemical Name
   If material is a mixture, provide the concentrations of all its hazardous constituents. Concentrations may be stated in molarity (gram or pound moles per liter or moles per gallon), percent by weight or volume (percent is assumed to be by weight unless volume is stated), weight per volume (grams or milligrams per liter), or parts per million or billion.



2. Manufacturer and Product Name
   Include all hazardous materials listed in the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). Manufacturers of potentially hazardous materials are now required by law to provide MSDS's with their products, including a list of all potentially hazardous ingredients. If no hazardous ingredients are identified on the MSDS, attach a copy of page 1 of the MSDS to the HWT. OSHA requires users of these products to keep files of MSDS in the work area for employee reference which is satisfied by the central MSDS file maintained by OEH&S. Call OEH&S at 476-1300 if you would like a copy of a specific MSDS. Chemical identification information of manufactured products may also be found in the Handbook of Chemical Synonyms and Trade Names and the Condensed Chemical Directory.



3. Complete Generic Description of Material
   Use the GENERIC DESCRIPTION ONLY if the material is a mixture of a well-known standard composition. The generic description must be complete enough to adequately characterize the waste material.

Top of page

E. PACKAGING

Proper packaging is extremely important. Place every hazardous chemical waste in an appropriate container. INCORRECT PACKAGING COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT OR SPILL during transport to the waste storage facility. The following requirements must be met before hazardous (chemical) waste is collected and disposed of by OEH&S.

1. Chemicals must be segregated into compatible groups as discussed in Chapter 2.



2. Liquid waste must be contained in screw cap bottles. Stopper or corked flasks and bottles without proper lids will not be picked up.



3. Chemically contaminated debris must be placed in transparent plastic bags. For ease of handling, place these bags inside a HARD-SIDED CONTAINER (e.g., recycled carton box) whenever possible. Bags with protruding glass or needles will not be picked up. Colored plastic and paper bags are not acceptable.



4. Semi-solid materials such as gels and paraffin wax must be placed in wide mouth plastic jars or bottles with screw caps.



5. Leaking containers can be placed inside larger screw top bottles or plastic buckets with snap-on lids. Leaking containers will not be picked up.



6. Chemically-contaminated sharps (e.g., needles, syringes, glass slides, razor blades, scalpel blades, microtome blades, glass Pasteur pipettes, capillary pipettes) must be placed inside rigid puncture-proof containers.



7. Each waste container must be properly identified and labeled with a Hazardous (Chemical) Waste Tag.

F. WASTE REMOVAL

To provide for the efficient removal of hazardous (chemical) waste, send a HAZARDOUS (CHEMICAL) WASTE Removal Form to OEH&S, Box 0942. Forms should be received by OEH&S before the scheduled pick-up day so that an advance plans for proper waste segregation of waste loads can be developed and the pick up route can be efficiently designed. In the event of an unplanned problem, the form may be faxed to 476-0581 or call 467-0544 to arrange the pick-up. HAZARDOUS (CHEMICAL) WASTE is picked up daily in accordance with the scheduled given on Appendix A1.

The following steps will ensure that your HAZARDOUS (CHEMICAL) WASTE is efficiently collected:

1. A completed HAZARDOUS (CHEMICAL) WASTE form is sent to OEH&S in advance of the pick-up day. (See Appendix A2)



2. Completed hazardous (chemical) waste tag is attached to each waste container.



3. Store waste containers in designated places on the scheduled pick-up day. DO NOT PLACE HAZARDOUS (CHEMICAL) WASTE CONTAINERS IN CORRIDORS, HALLWAYS, OR OTHER SIMILAR PUBLIC ACCESS AREAS.

|| Table of Contents || Chapter 8 || Chapter 10 ||