CHAD FISHER HAZARDOUS WASTE COMPLIANCE INSPECTOR WA STATE DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY JANUARY 29, 2016 Safety, Storage and Treatment of High Level Disinfection Chemicals

Overview for Today Dangerous waste (DW) management overview High Level Disinfectants: Examples and Safety Concerns Treatment and disposal to sewer Challenges (violations) we’re seeing during dangerous waste inspections … with example photos Useful resources: online guidance and labels

Dangerous Waste Management Overview Must designate waste  WAC through -100, -170 Notification – based on generator status  WAC , -170, -070(8) Annual reporting – based on generator status  WAC , -390, -070(8) On-site management – based on generator status  WAC , -201,-202, -320, -630, -640, -070(8) Manifest waste – based on generator status  WAC , -070(8)

Managing Hazardous/Dangerous Waste: General Context Container Management Requirements:  labeling: hazardous/dangerous waste label  risk label, if applicable  accumulation start date, if applicable  closed containers, unless in use  containers in good condition and not leaking  aisle space between containers, if applicable  accumulation time limit: depends on generator status  weekly inspections of hazardous waste accumulation area

High Level Disinfectants: Examples and Safety Concerns Glutaraldehyde:  Often used at 2-4%; designates as dangerous waste at 1%  Linked with a variety of health effects, ranging from mild to severe, including asthma, breathing difficulties, respiratory irritation, and skin rashes  Best Practices for the Safe Use of Glutaraldehyde in Health Care: ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA): o Often used at 0.55%; designates as dangerous waste at 0.01% o May cause eye, skin and respiratory irritation o May elicit an allergic reaction o May cause sensitization by repeated skin contact

High Level Disinfectants: Examples and Safety Concerns Peracetic Acid  Corrosive and oxidizer; designates as dangerous waste at 0.1%  Poison by ingestion  Corrosive to skin and can cause serious eye damage  Severely irritating to respiratory tract, potentially lethal Ethylene Oxide (EtO)  Flammable and highly reactive  Acute exposures to EtO gas may result in respiratory irritation and lung injury, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, shortness of breath, and cyanosis  Chronic exposure has been associated with the occurrence of cancer, reproductive effects, mutagenic changes, neurotoxicity, and sensitization  OSHA Safety and Health Topics:

Treatment and Disposal to Sewer Treatment by Generator (TBG)  Notification requirement, log and report:  Aldehyde Deactivation: Discharge to Sewer after Treatment  May be managed under the Domestic Sewage Exclusion, which requires written authorization from the sewer authority  May be managed under Permit by Rule and a wastewater discharge permit  See the TBG Guidance document for additional information about the Domestic Sewage Exclusion and Permit by Rule

Treatment and Disposal to Sewer List of water and sewer districts in Washington:  Laboratory Waste Management Guide, King County:  =o5fpDUrc%2f%2bc%3d =o5fpDUrc%2f%2bc%3d  Local sewer discharge requirements will differ from those in King County. Keep this in mind when using this resource.

Location: Ultrasound Instrument Cleaning Station Waste: The blue solution is Cidex waste. Dangerous Waste Violations: Lack of a “dangerous waste” or “hazardous waste” label. Lack of a risk label.

Location: Hazardous Waste Accumulation Area Waste: This box holds approximately thirty smaller containers of S40 sterilant consisting of 35% peracetic acid. Dangerous Waste Violations: Lack of a “dangerous waste” or “hazardous waste” label. Lack of a risk label. Lack of an accumulation start date. Waste accumulated without proper segregation. Peracetic acid is a corrosive organic acid. This container is located within the flammable cabinet. Corrosive organic dangerous wastes and flammable dangerous wastes must be kept separate.

Location: Hazardous Waste Accumulation Area Waste: Ethylene Oxide Dangerous Waste Violations: Lack of a “dangerous waste” or “hazardous waste” label Lack of a risk label. Lack of an accumulation start date.

Location: Hazardous Waste Accumulation Area Waste: “Unknown Cleaner or ETO Cide” Dangerous Waste Violations: Lack of a risk label. Lack of an accumulation start date.

Top Ten Dangerous Waste Violations Source: Shoptalk, Vol. 23, No. 1, Dec. 2012; pub. # a): #1: No label for risk or dangerous/hazardous waste on containers #2: Not properly designating (identifying) the wastes #3: No accumulation start date on waste container #5: Not properly closing waste containers #7: Not conducting weekly inspections of waste containers in the hazardous waste accumulation area

Dangerous Waste Regulations and General Resources Guide for Dangerous Waste Generators in Washington: What is a Small Quantity Generator? Your Regulatory Status Under the Dangerous Waste Regulations: All Dangerous Waste Regulations available online: Weekly Inspection Checklist: Free Waste Labels:

Contacts: Pollution Prevention and Dangerous Waste Management Northwest Region Technical assistance  Jenny Yoo   Compliance assistance  Chad Fisher   Central Region Technical assistance  Holly Cushman   Compliance assistance  Amy Cook   Southwest Region Compliance assistance  Lisa Perle   Eastern Region Compliance assistance  Andy Maher   Statewide Questions – Ecology HQ  Tom Cusack  