Highly Hazardous Materials Disposal
Highly hazardous materials are chemicals which have the potential to cause immediate and permanent harm at exposure levels feasible considering the amount of the material present. For example, 100 mL of 1N hydrochloric acid would not be considered highly hazardous, but 100mL of hydrofluoric acid would. 0.1 microliter of concentrated nitric acid might not be considered highly hazardous, but 100 liters would. You can probably come up with your own examples.
Chemicals that are highly toxic, are known to cause cancer or birth defects, have very low "permissible exposure limits", are highly reactive, or react vigorously with common materials, with water, or with air should all be considered "highly hazardous materials." Chemicals which are under pressure, or can build up pressure, can auto-ignite at familiar temperatures, which burn vigorously and energetically, or which, when burning, can't be extinguished with conventional methods should be considered highly hazardous. Hazardous wastes which are Pxxx-listed wastes are considered acutely toxic waste, or for the purpose of this webpage, "highly hazardous materials."
What Should You Do?
Be careful with these chemicals! Be sure you are knowledgeable about the hazards involved. You should feel confident about the training you have had for handling these items. If you have doubts, stop, and get help from someone more knowledgeable. A copy of the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for each highly hazardous material should be readily available. You should be familiar with the information contained in the MSDS, before using highly hazardous materials.
What Other Precautions Should Be Followed?
You should be sure you are prepared to handle spills and exposures. Accidents do happen to the most careful individuals. Be sure that you have the appropriate supplies and training you need to clean-up spills safely. Know how to recognize when a situation is beyond your training and you need outside assistance. In the event you need outside assistance, contact the University Police at 9-911 from a campus phone or 229-9911 from a cell phone (emergency phone number) or x4627 (non-emergency phone number) to request assistance.
What About Labeling?
A simple precaution, which can help in a spill or exposure situation, is NFPA labeling. Each room where hazardous materials are stored or used (in quantities or hazards above normal household amounts) must be posted with the four-colored NFPA diamond. Be sure the numbering on the NFPA is current and updated whenever beginning or ending work with highly hazardous materials. An accurate NFPA label is the fastest was to alert emergency responders to high and unusual hazards.
Do I Need To Notify Someone When I Start Using Highly Hazardous Materials?
If your chemical use is covered by your department's laboratory safety or Chemical Hygiene Plan, check the notification requirements. Often, the Chemical Hygiene Officer must be notified before proceeding with certain hazardous operations, or if operations involving highly hazardous materials are left unattended.
Must I Follow Any Special Waste Disposal Rules?
Yes. Keep these items separate from other hazardous wastes. Do not mix these items with other wastes. Do not store your waste chemicals longer than necessary. As soon as you experiment is completed, contact staff in our Environmental Affairs Program to arrange for a waste pickup. The sooner you rid your lab of highly hazardous chemical waste, the sooner your lab will return to a familiar hazard level. If you will be continuing to use the highly hazardous materials, be sure that regular, frequent waste pickups are scheduled.
For additional information, please contact Environmental Affairs staff at x4999 or x2883.
October 2, 2007 by SAK