Lab Waste Mgmt Guide

1. Lab Waste Mgmt Guide Dave Waddell Local Haz Waste Mgmt Program in King County 206-263-3069 dave.waddell@metrokc.gov

2. Target Audiences • As many labs as possible • Analytical • Biotech • Biomedical • Healthcare/Hospitals • Educational/Schools

3. Perspectives • Why focus on labs? • High risk chemicals • Common industry • Why these compounds? • Many are high risk • Confusing to characterize • Why sewer guidelines? • Lab waste often liquid • Local regs less known

4. Chemical Storage • Most guides have similar systems • Need 19 separated shelves & 3 cabinets • Not every facility has that much shelf space

5. Simplified Storage Pattern • Works in smaller spaces • Combines compatibles • 9 shelves & 3 cabinets

6. Spills • General guidance • Not focus of guide • Major vs. Minor • Use UW’s guidance • Training examples • NH40H vs. NaOH • Clear puddle

7. Potentially Explosive Compounds • Not exhaustive • Compounds that degrade • Compounds that explode when contaminated

8. Ethers & Peroxide Formers • Many lists of these compounds available • Search “peroxide former” • Avoid them if you can • Buy with preservatives • Label & monitor them • Empty containers scary • Rule of thumb, dispose one year after opening • Potassium metal issue in schools

9. 1978 date on side, explosive Peroxide  crystals on THF

10. Picric Acid and Picrates • Trinitrophenol (think TNT) • Histology stains • Bouin’s fix w/ formalin • Weak acid when wet • Explosive when dry • Shock sensitive • Reacts with metals • Metal picrates high explosives

11. Ammoniacal Silver Nitrate Stain • Silver stains common in histology labs • If solution sits Silver Azide can form • Can detonate if exposed to light or moved • Look for colorless crystals • Right…. Thanks a lot! • Can be deactivated with hydrochloric acid

12. Hazardous Waste ReductionChemical Specific Guidance • Why’s it there? • Issues? • Regulated? • Disposal options? • P2 options?

13. Ethidium Bromide • Visualize nucleic acids • Potent mutagen • Dispose as HW or treat • Filter or deactivate • Alternative: SYBR Safe • Used in major facilities • Not as effective for RNA staining

14. Alcohol Management • Ignitable if >24% • Not allowed down drain • Martini is about 35% • Returned drink = HW? • Recycle & reuse potential • Filtration or distillation • Dilution to just to get to <24% is not allowed

15. Aldehydes • Formaldehyde: Tox HW if >1% • Not allowed in sewer if >0.1% • Can be deactivated • Neutralex 1 lb takes 1 gal to 15 ppm • Limit = 1000 ppm, so can dilute 50:1 • Glutaraldehyde • Cold sterilant, soak instruments • Allowed in sewer if <4% • Working concentration is 2-4% • OPA: OK but guidance will change

16. On-Site Treatment • Treatment by Generator • Give general guidelines • Condensed 4 TBG fact sheets • Provide info on counting • Permit by Rule • List 2 benefits • List conditions to meet PBR

17. King County Sewer Guidelines • Discharges can’t endanger NPDES permit compliance • Precautionary principle • Protect worker safety • Protect system function • Protect receiving waters • No hazardous waste to sewer • Unless treatability shown

18. Why Labs Love the Sewer Guidelines • Very specific • Consistent basis for guidance • Provide waste reduction options • Have cost reduction suggestions • Shorter than many guides • The sewer table is one page!