1 How to handle laboratory waste? Department Botany & Zoology, US F Gordon

2 Introduction Safe, healthy & productive workplace environment Safe, healthy & productive workplace environment Responsible and effectively handling o hazardous waste Responsible and effectively handling o hazardous waste Good lab etiquette Good lab etiquette Municipal and government laws exist to regulate and control hazardous waste disposal Municipal and government laws exist to regulate and control hazardous waste disposal

3 Waste Removal Cost enormous Cost enormous Contractor - Millenium Waste Contractor - Millenium Waste ( Enviroserv and Sanumed) ( Enviroserv and Sanumed) Waste removal is arrange via USRPS/USBD Waste removal is arrange via USRPS/USBD

4 Waste management Manage waste responsible: Classification/ Characterizing hazardous waste Classification/ Characterizing hazardous waste Proper packaging Proper packaging Proper storage of waste Proper storage of waste Effective labeling Effective labeling Waste collection protocol in place Waste collection protocol in place

5 Types of waste Normal Municipal waste (general) Normal Municipal waste (general) Recyclable waste Recyclable waste Broken Glass Broken Glass Biological / Medical waste Biological / Medical waste Chemical waste Chemical waste Sharps, Broken Glass Sharps, Broken Glass Radioactive material waste Radioactive material waste Electronic and computer waste Electronic and computer waste

6 Hazardous Waste Any waste that directly or indirectly represents a threat to human health or to the environment by introducing one or more of the following risks: Any waste that directly or indirectly represents a threat to human health or to the environment by introducing one or more of the following risks: Explosion or fire Explosion or fire Infections, pathogens, parasites or their vectors Infections, pathogens, parasites or their vectors Chemical instability, reactions or corrosion Chemical instability, reactions or corrosion Acute or chronic toxicity Acute or chronic toxicity Cancer, mutations or birth defects Cancer, mutations or birth defects Toxicity or damage to the ecosystems or natural resources Toxicity or damage to the ecosystems or natural resources Accumulation in the biological food chain, persistence in the environment or multiple effects Accumulation in the biological food chain, persistence in the environment or multiple effects

7 CHEMICAL WASTE

8 SABS Code 0028 ID & classification dangerous goods and substances Class 1 Explosives Class 1 Explosives Class 2 Gases Class 2 Gases Class 3 Flammable liquids Class 3 Flammable liquids Class 4 Flammable solids Class 4 Flammable solids Class 5 Oxidizing substances and organic peroxides Class 5 Oxidizing substances and organic peroxides Class 6 Toxic and infectious substances Class 6 Toxic and infectious substances Class 7 Radioactive Substances Class 7 Radioactive Substances Class 8 Corrosives Class 8 Corrosives Class 9 Other miscellaneous substances Class 9 Other miscellaneous substances

9 Segregate chemical waste Proper segregation =good chemical hygiene + safe workplace environment Proper segregation =good chemical hygiene + safe workplace environment Only put compatible chemicals in a container Only put compatible chemicals in a container Also do not store the following near each other Also do not store the following near each other Acids and bases Acids and bases Organics and acids Organics and acids Powdered or reactive metals and combustible materials Powdered or reactive metals and combustible materials Cyanide, sulfide or arsenic compounds and acids Cyanide, sulfide or arsenic compounds and acids Mercury or silver and ammonium containing compounds Mercury or silver and ammonium containing compounds Do not mix solids and liquids Do not mix solids and liquids Halogenated with non-halogenated chemicals Halogenated with non-halogenated chemicals

10 Chemical Waste Compatibility (1) Incompatible chemical waste not be mixed or store together Incompatible chemical waste not be mixed or store together If it must be store in same area – separated secondary containment If it must be store in same area – separated secondary containment Container must be compatible with the waste: Container must be compatible with the waste: Mineral acids - plastic Mineral acids - plastic Bases -Plastic Bases -Plastic Oxidizers - Glass Oxidizers - Glass Organics (incl Acetic acid) - Glass Organics (incl Acetic acid) - Glass

11 Chemical Waste Compatibility (2) Take special care Nitric acid: Nitric acid: Reacts with organics-heat & gas Be sure container is rinse thoroughly Perchloric acid, Organic Peroxides : Perchloric acid, Organic Peroxides : Highly reactive with organics and organic material (wood). May react with metals Hydrofluoric acid: Hydrofluoric acid: Dissolves glass containers Dissolves glass containers

12 Packaging of chemical waste (1) Place hazardous waste in sealable containers Place hazardous waste in sealable containers Enviroserv supply different plastic and metal containers Enviroserv supply different plastic and metal containers Sized from 25L to 200L, plastic or metal. Sized from 25L to 200L, plastic or metal. Containers must be kept closed. Containers must be kept closed. Do not leave a hazardous waste container with a funnel in it. Do not leave a hazardous waste container with a funnel in it. Glass bottles with waste must be packed with vermiculite into bigger containers. Glass bottles with waste must be packed with vermiculite into bigger containers.

13 Packaging of chemical waste (2) The container should not react with the waste being stored (e.g. NO hydrofluoric acid in glass) The container should not react with the waste being stored (e.g. NO hydrofluoric acid in glass) Similar wastes may be mixed if they are compatible Similar wastes may be mixed if they are compatible Wastes from incompatible hazard classes should not be mixed (e.g. organic solvents with oxiders) Wastes from incompatible hazard classes should not be mixed (e.g. organic solvents with oxiders) Be aware that certain metals also cause disposal problems when mixed with flammable liquid or other organic liquids. Be aware that certain metals also cause disposal problems when mixed with flammable liquid or other organic liquids.

14 Labeling Must be labeled as HAZARDOUS WASTE Must be labeled as HAZARDOUS WASTE Should be accurate, legible and fully explained Should be accurate, legible and fully explained Contain name of the department, lab group name, contact person details, content and concentration, hazard class, date Contain name of the department, lab group name, contact person details, content and concentration, hazard class, date Use Enviroserv /Sanumed self adhesive labels or your own. Use Enviroserv /Sanumed self adhesive labels or your own. Waste vs. used Waste vs. used No old labels No old labels

15 Waste classification by Enviroserv Specific codes for different departments (BOTZOO) CodeTypeDisposal Method 3AFlammablesABW 3AFlammablesABW 3BToxic compoundsE 3BToxic compoundsE 3CPolyethelene GlycolsTA 3CPolyethelene GlycolsTA 3DContaminated Broken GlassTC 3DContaminated Broken GlassTC 3EContaminated tips, tubesTC 3EContaminated tips, tubesTC 3FMineral acidsITP with Lime 3FMineral acidsITP with Lime 3GConcentrated organic acidsTWC 3GConcentrated organic acidsTWC

16 Storage Select the correct container (glass / polyethylene) for storage Select the correct container (glass / polyethylene) for storage Use original containers if possible Use original containers if possible Use appropriate sized container Use appropriate sized container Do not make containers too heavy to lift by the contractors Do not make containers too heavy to lift by the contractors Containers must be tightly sealed and not leak Containers must be tightly sealed and not leak Containers correctly labeled Containers correctly labeled Container compatible with chemical being stored - separate containers for each type of waste Container compatible with chemical being stored - separate containers for each type of waste Do not store longer than 90 days Do not store longer than 90 days

17 Collection Procedures Pack all waste in drums provided by contractors Pack all waste in drums provided by contractors Ensure glass bottles are prevented from breaking by adding vermiculite Ensure glass bottles are prevented from breaking by adding vermiculite All drums must be properly classified and labelled as HAZARDOUS WASTE All drums must be properly classified and labelled as HAZARDOUS WASTE When drums are full, fill in a pick-up form and forward to USBD (Piet van Deventer, When drums are full, fill in a pick-up form and forward to USBD (Piet van Deventer, USBD will arrange for contractors (Enviroserv) to pick up the drums at your department USBD will arrange for contractors (Enviroserv) to pick up the drums at your department

18 USBD form

19 WASTETECH Pick Up, JANUARY 2006 Dept Botany and Zoology Container Code Disposal Method Type of Waste/ Waste Description Quantity to be REMOVED with size of container Quantity to be REPLACED with size of container Other Comments 3 AABWEthanol- 10% Formalin mix1x 25 L Tight head Metal drum – OWN 3AABWEthanol,1x 50L Open head drum, Plastic 3DTCBroken Glass, some chemically soiled 1x 50L Open head drum, Plastic 3 ETCPlastic Tips, Tubes, Gloves, Paper Towels soiled with Ethidium bromide, dried ethidium bromide gels 1x 200L Open head drums, PlasticNone 3 ETCPlastic Tips & Tubes empty (Chemically soiled) 3x 200L Open head drums, Plastic4x 200L Open head Plastic drum 3 ETCPlastic Tips & Tubes empty (Chemically soiled) 2x 50 L Open head drum, Plastic4x 50L Open head Plastic drum

20 Special waste (1) Ethidium Bromide Ethidium Bromide Electrophoresis gels < 0.1% - trash Electrophoresis gels < 0.1% - trash Electrophoresis gels >0.1% - biohazard box Electrophoresis gels >0.1% - biohazard box EtBr solution- charcoal filtration EtBr solution- charcoal filtration Mercury Mercury Spilled-pooled droplets, gloves & paper-puncture resistant container –label “mercury spill debris” Spilled-pooled droplets, gloves & paper-puncture resistant container –label “mercury spill debris”

21 Special waste (2) Silica gel Silica gel Not grossly contaminated – normal lab trash Not grossly contaminated – normal lab trash Heavy contaminated- disposed as hazardous waste Heavy contaminated- disposed as hazardous waste Batteries Batteries Classified as universal waste rather than hazardous waste Classified as universal waste rather than hazardous waste Contain mercury, cadmium, lead, silver, lead-acid Contain mercury, cadmium, lead, silver, lead-acid Alkaline (no Hg) - not to be put in the normal trash. Alkaline (no Hg) - not to be put in the normal trash. South Africa Recycle program? South Africa Recycle program?

22 Unidentified Chemical waste Should be considered unknown hazardous waste. Should be considered unknown hazardous waste. Unknown waste cannot be legally transported or disposed. Unknown waste cannot be legally transported or disposed. To dispose them safely and properly it need to be characterised by Enviroserv which is a costly affair. To dispose them safely and properly it need to be characterised by Enviroserv which is a costly affair. Find out as much as possible about how the waste was generated. Find out as much as possible about how the waste was generated. Please DO NOT Please DO NOT Pour unknown chemicals down the drain Pour unknown chemicals down the drain Mix unknown chemicals with any other chemicals Bring unknown chemicals to a regular waste pick up Bring unknown chemicals to a regular waste pick up Abandon unknown chemicals in the work area.

23 BIOLOGICAL WASTE Definition: Waste generated from biologically- cultured stocks and plates, molecular material, blood, animal and plant tissues etc. Definition: Waste generated from biologically- cultured stocks and plates, molecular material, blood, animal and plant tissues etc. All sharps e.g. glass implements, needles, syringes, blades, glass Pasteur pipettes All sharps e.g. glass implements, needles, syringes, blades, glass Pasteur pipettes Separate biological waste from chemical hazardous waste Separate biological waste from chemical hazardous waste Treat to eliminate biohazard by sterilization or incineration Treat to eliminate biohazard by sterilization or incineration Label correct, use biohazard tape Label correct, use biohazard tape

24 Biological waste cont. Animal Bedding waste Animal Bedding waste Bagged – not be mixed with other waste Bagged – not be mixed with other waste Labelled as animal bedding waste Labelled as animal bedding waste Are to be autoclaved before being placed in medical waste boxes – disposed in the medical waste stream Are to be autoclaved before being placed in medical waste boxes – disposed in the medical waste stream Animal carcasses Animal carcasses Are kept frozen Are kept frozen Get an order number from Elmarie King –USBD Get an order number from Elmarie King –USBD Department took the carcasses themselves to the Western Province Veterinary lab, Stb for incineration Department took the carcasses themselves to the Western Province Veterinary lab, Stb for incineration

25 Containers (1) –Biological Biohazard/medical waste boxes Biohazard/medical waste boxes Disposal of non-sharp bio hazardous waste Disposal of non-sharp bio hazardous waste Cardboard box lined with a red 45 micron plastic bag Cardboard box lined with a red 45 micron plastic bag Two sizes 50 and 142 litre- max 15kg Two sizes 50 and 142 litre- max 15kg Seal bag with cable tie, seal box with biohaz.tape Seal bag with cable tie, seal box with biohaz.tape Sanumed destruct it by high temp. incineration Sanumed destruct it by high temp. incineration

26 Containers (2) –Biological Biohazard Sharp containers Biohazard Sharp containers Disposal sharp bio- hazardous waste Disposal sharp bio- hazardous waste 100% puncture proof 100% puncture proof Available in 4, 7.6, 10, 15 and 25 l Available in 4, 7.6, 10, 15 and 25 l Destruction by high temp Destruction by high temp

27 Containers (3) –Biological Specimen bins Specimen bins For safe human and animal tissue disposal. For safe human and animal tissue disposal. Ideal for wet waste Ideal for wet waste Available in 2.5, 5 and 10 l bin Available in 2.5, 5 and 10 l bin Destruction by high temp Destruction by high temp

28 Points to remember No bio-hazardous waste shall be stored for longer than 24 hours without being decontaminated No bio-hazardous waste shall be stored for longer than 24 hours without being decontaminated Decontaminated bio-hazardous waste stored up to 30 days Decontaminated bio-hazardous waste stored up to 30 days No storage public areas No storage public areas Store under refrigeration if necessary to prevent odors Store under refrigeration if necessary to prevent odors Sharps containers treated as regular bio-hazardous waste Sharps containers treated as regular bio-hazardous waste

29 Bio-hazardous waste Pick-up Procedures Seal red bags when ¾ full with cable ties provided by contractor Seal red bags when ¾ full with cable ties provided by contractor Seal Biohazard/Medical waste boxes with biohazard tape Seal Biohazard/Medical waste boxes with biohazard tape Complete chemical/biological waste pick-up request form Complete chemical/biological waste pick-up request form Forward electronically to USBD Forward electronically to USBD USBD will arrange for contractor (Sanumed) to pick up waste and replace containers as needed USBD will arrange for contractor (Sanumed) to pick up waste and replace containers as needed

30 Ways to minimize waste Good housekeeping Good housekeeping Document Procedures Document Procedures Maintain Chemical inventory Maintain Chemical inventory Centralize purchasing Centralize purchasing Spill Preparedness Spill Preparedness Neutralize corrosives Neutralize corrosives Minimize use of solvents Minimize use of solvents Use alternative products Use alternative products

31 Information Minimum requirements for the handling, classification and disposal of hazardous waste. Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, RSA, 2 nd edition 1998 Minimum requirements for the handling, classification and disposal of hazardous waste. Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, RSA, 2 nd edition 1998 CRC Handbook of Laboratory Safety 5th Edition- Keith Furr CRC Handbook of Laboratory Safety 5th Edition- Keith Furr Laboratory Safety: Practice and Principles-Flemming Diane Laboratory Safety: Practice and Principles-Flemming Diane

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