CHEMICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

LABORATORY GUIDELINES

Angela Birnbaum

Revised May 3, 2005

Chemical Waste

• What is considered waste• Old chemicals no longer used• Expired chemicals• Chemicals with illegible labels -

chemical can not be determined• Chemicals with no label• Any chemical product from completed

experiments

Satellite Waste Accumulation Site

Requirements• Every laboratory or department handling

chemical waste must have a Satellite Accumulation Area and must abide by EPA Regulations• The area must be identified• The waste must be in suitable containers• The waste must be labeled with no abbreviations• Wastes must be segregated and placed in compatible

containers• All containers must be closed, funnels must be removed, caps

must be closed tightly• The waste must be picked up within three days of the container

being dated full, or 55 gallons is accumulated

Satellite Waste Accumulation Site

Compatible secondary containment must be used

The area must be designated with a sign and

tape

Hazardous Waste Containers

• The container must be compatible with the waste being handled

• Empty chemical containers can be reused for waste• The original label must be defaced or

removed• The container must be triple rinsed before

the addition of any hazardous waste• A hazardous waste label must be applied and

all information provided

Hazardous Waste Containers

• Containers must be kept closed at all times • Funnels can not stay in the container• Caps must be on tight

• The containers must be in good condition• No rust, corrosion, leaking containers,

or containers with residue

Hazardous Waste Labeling

• All containers must be labeled with:• “Hazardous Waste”• Name of chemical or chemical mixture

and percent by volume added• The hazards associated with the waste

• Corrosive, Carcinogen, Flammable, Irritant, Oxidizer, Toxic, or Other-list the hazard

• Example Mutagen, Tetatrogen

• The date the container is filled

Hazardous Waste Labeling

• Waste Labels are available free from the EHS department

• Call x4078 to obtain labels

HAZARDOUS WASTETHIS LABEL IS FOR HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL WASTE ONLY

Generator (lab) location:_______________________________________

Chemical(s) % by Vol.______________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ ____________________

Full Date:________________

EHS Pickup Date:_________________ EHS Initials:______________

HAZARD:_______________________________

Hazardous Waste Pick-Up

• Waste must be removed from the satellite accumulation waste site within 3 days of the container being full

• When the container is full the date must be put on the label

• Contact EHS up to 2 days before the container is full and no later then the day the container becomes full by faxing (x3665) or emailing susan_butler@nymc.edu the Chemical Disposal Request Form• Forms can be downloaded from the EHS Webpage

• http://www.nymc.edu/depthome/ehs/forms.asp• Click on Chemical Waste Disposal

Drain Disposal

• The following chemicals cannot go down the drain• Acids with a pH lower then 5.5• Bases with a pH higher then 9.5• No radioactivity without prior approval• No flammables• No heavy metals• No grease or oil• Any other chemical that is considered hazardous

• Please contact EHS at x4078 before disposal concerning questions