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Review the following general guidelines and safety rules before attempting any
disposal procedure.
• The quantity of material should be small—laboratory quantities only.
• Make sure you have read and understand the chemistry involved in the
procedure.
• Never work alone!
• Always wear appropriate personal protective equipment.
• Perform all procedures in a laboratory environment with good ventilation.
Hazardous Waste Disposal
Some chemicals, such as heavy metal salts (e.g., Cr, Pb, Ba) and halogenated
solvents, always will require licensed hazardous waste disposal assistance. The
EPA has published a very thorough workbook to help you evaluate options with
respect to chemical cleanout and hazardous waste disposal. “Building Successful
Programs to Address Chemical Risks in Schools” available online at www.epa.gov/
schools/workbk.pdf, encourages academic institutions to identify district and
community stakeholders that are vested in safe chemical management. Local fire
and police departments, area colleges and universities, industry partners and
trade and professional organizations may be able to provide advice and assist
with packaging chemicals for removal, removing mismanaged or unnecessary
chemicals and properly disposing of chemicals. The following options will help
you identify potential partners and resources to investigate, plan and carry out
chemical disposal.
• Contact the facilities staff for information about ongoing chemical disposal
programs.
• If applicable, get in touch with your state science supervisor or department of
education. Many states have implemented chemical clean-up campaigns in
recent years. The state EPA may also have an existing program.
• Work with the state and local associations. Use the experience of other teachers
who have faced similar issues to help your school comply with chemical disposal
requirements.
• Seek the advice of your Environmental Health and Safety Department or that of a
nearby college or university. Most large universities have ongoing waste disposal
programs and understand state and local requirements.
• Contract with a licensed hazardous waste disposal firm for removing chemicals.
Because the institution has cradle-to-grave responsibility for its chemicals, even
after they have been removed from the site, it is vital that you choose a licensed
and reputable firm. Ask for and check references, and do not automatically
choose the lowest bid. Request a certificate of disposal for the chemicals.
Flinn Suggested Laboratory Chemical Disposal Methods
Flinn Scientific has been publishing suggested laboratory chemical disposal
methods for more than 40 years. Each chemical in the Flinn Scientific Catalog/
Reference Manual has a disposal number under its name. The disposal number
refers to one of the suggested disposal procedures listed in this section. As federal,
state, and local regulations have changed, many disposal procedures have been
updated or deleted. Before attempting any disposal procedure, it is essential that
you check local regulations to determine if it is allowed in your locale.
Before attempting any disposal procedure, the following safety rules must be
followed:
Never work alone!
Always were appropriate personal safety equipment.
Perform all procedures in a laboratory environment with proper ventilation. Note
that a fume hood is required for some procedures.
If you have any questions concerning laboratory chemical disposal methods,
please call (1-800-452-1261) or email (flinn@flinnsci.com) the Technical Services
department at Flinn Scientific, Inc.
Did You Know It Is Always Yours?
Hazardous waste chemicals are yours FOREVER! As the generator, your
institution will be held responsible in perpetuity for hazardous waste. Even if
you contract with a firm to remove the material from your school, it remains
yours forever. With that in mind, always know and get references for the firm
you hire to remove such materials. As one instructor belatedly said after a sad
series of disposal events, “I should have known I was in trouble when they
came in a rented truck.”
Laboratory Chemical Disposal, continued
SAFETY REFERENCE CHEMICAL DISPOSAL PROCEDURES
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