Lab Waste Mgmt GuideDave WaddellLocal Haz Waste Mgmt Program in King County206-263-3069dave.waddell@metrokc.gov

Target AudiencesAs many labs as possibleAnalyticalBiotechBiomedicalHealthcare/HospitalsEducational/Schools

PerspectivesWhy focus on labs?High risk chemicalsCommon industryWhy these compounds?Many are high riskConfusing to characterizeWhy sewer guidelines?Lab waste often liquidLocal regs less known

Chemical StorageMost guides have similar systems Need 19 separated shelves & 3 cabinets

Not every facility has that much shelf space

Simplified Storage PatternWorks in smaller spacesCombines compatibles9 shelves & 3 cabinets

SpillsGeneral guidanceNot focus of guideMajor vs. MinorUse UWs guidanceTraining examplesNH40H vs. NaOHClear puddle

Potentially Explosive CompoundsNot exhaustiveCompounds that degradeCompounds that explode when contaminated

Ethers & Peroxide FormersMany lists of these compounds availableSearch peroxide formerAvoid them if you canBuy with preservativesLabel & monitor themEmpty containers scaryRule of thumb, dispose one year after openingPotassium metal issue in schools

1978 date on side, explosivePeroxide crystals on THF

Picric Acid and PicratesTrinitrophenol (think TNT)Histology stainsBouins fix w/ formalinWeak acid when wetExplosive when dry Shock sensitiveReacts with metalsMetal picrates high explosives

Ammoniacal Silver Nitrate StainSilver stains common in histology labsIf solution sits Silver Azide can formCan detonate if exposed to light or movedLook for colorless crystalsRight. Thanks a lot!Can be deactivated with hydrochloric acid

Hazardous Waste ReductionChemical Specific GuidanceWhys it there?Issues?Regulated?Disposal options?P2 options?

Ethidium BromideVisualize nucleic acidsPotent mutagenDispose as HW or treatFilter or deactivateAlternative: SYBR SafeUsed in major facilitiesNot as effective for RNA staining

Alcohol ManagementIgnitable if >24%Not allowed down drainMartini is about 35%Returned drink = HW?Recycle & reuse potentialFiltration or distillationDilution to just to get to

AldehydesFormaldehyde: Tox HW if >1%Not allowed in sewer if >0.1%Can be deactivatedNeutralex 1 lb takes 1 gal to 15 ppmLimit = 1000 ppm, so can dilute 50:1GlutaraldehydeCold sterilant, soak instrumentsAllowed in sewer if

On-Site TreatmentTreatment by GeneratorGive general guidelinesCondensed 4 TBG fact sheetsProvide info on countingPermit by RuleList 2 benefitsList conditions to meet PBR

King County Sewer GuidelinesDischarges cant endanger NPDES permit compliancePrecautionary principleProtect worker safetyProtect system functionProtect receiving watersNo hazardous waste to sewerUnless treatability shown

Why Labs Love the Sewer GuidelinesVery specificConsistent basis for guidanceProvide waste reduction optionsHave cost reduction suggestionsShorter than many guidesThe sewer table is one page!