UMB ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY PROCEDURES

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Hazardous chemicals and potentially hazardous wastes generated as a by-product of research and teaching at UMB must be handled and disposed of according to legally mandated methods or accepted prudent practices. The Definitions of Hazardous Waste and the Identification of Hazardous Waste are covered under other EMD/EHS procedures. This procedure contains guidelines and procedures for the removal and disposal of hazardous chemical waste.

General Guidelines:

1. Hazardous waste should not be placed in areas accessible by the general public (e.g. hallways, restrooms, stairways, outside buildings, loading docks, parking lots or in open motor vehicles).

2. All hazardous waste that has been designated for disposal must be segregated from chemicals in use and in a safe, but conspicuous location. Do Not place hazardous waste in a location where it could be mistaken for ordinary trash and accidentally disposed of by General Services personnel.

Hazardous Waste Container Management:

1. All hazardous waste designated for disposal must be placed in appropriate glass, metal or chemically inert, non-reactive, non-flexible plastic containers with tightly fitting screw caps. Corrosives should not be placed in metal containers. Leaking, visibly damaged or rusted containers are not acceptable. Used containers should be clean. Do not refill used reagent containers with potentially incompatible waste chemicals. Open containers or containers with cut glass, aluminum foil, AParafilm@, rubber or cork stoppers are unacceptable. Do not overfill waste containers.

2. All containers labeled as containing hazardous waste must be stored in a secondary containment device (i.e. tub or basin) to prevent environmental contamination in the event of a spill or leaking container. Each basin must be leakproof and constructed of a chemically inert material. It must be capable of containing either the total volume of the largest waste container in the basin or 10% of the total waste volume in the basin, whichever is greater.

3. The exterior of each waste container must be clean and free from and chemical contamination. All markings not pertaining to the actual waste contents must be completely removed or obliterated.

Labeling Hazardous Waste Containers:

1. To comply with applicable federal and state regulations, every hazardous waste container must be tagged or labeled properly the instant that the material inside the container is determined to be a waste. Each waste container must be indelibly labeled with the following:

a. The exact chemical contents of all ingredients in the mixture to include water. Generic identifications such as AWaste Solvents@, Waste Pesticides, etc. are unacceptable. Labels must not contain abbreviations, chemical formulas or trade names.

b. The estimated chemical concentrations (% by weight) of the wastes in the container. Concentrations must total 100%.

c. The date waste was initially placed into the container.

NOTE: EMD/EHS has preprinted labels available. To request blank labels, call 6-7207. If you do not have the Hazardous Waste labels furnished by the Environmental Management Division clearly label the container with the above information.

2. If the waste is packaged in its original container without any other wastes added to it and the exact chemical contents are listed on the label, the only additional labeling required will be the words AHazardous Waste@ and the date.

Unknowns will not be accepted for disposal. Federal and state law requires complete identification of all wastes prior to disposal. Generators should make every attempt to identify unknowns. If required, samples of unknowns will be picked up on a case-by case basis and analyzed by EMD/EHS or a contracted analytical laboratory at the individual generator's expense. Questions concerning the identification of unknowns should be directed to EMD/EHS at 6-7207.

Potentially unstable peroxide forming wastes, explosives, shock sensitive or other dangerous reactive chemicals are extremely dangerous and are disposed of utilizing different procedures and on an as-needed basis. If you have any of these wastes, contact EMD/EHS to schedule disposal.

Empty chemical containers with the exception of P-listed waste containers may be disposed of via normal domestic waste channels. The container should be rinsed and all labels must either be removed or defaced and the cap removed. The container must be free from all free flowing liquids or visible solids. Empty liquid and solid P-listed containers should be disposed of through EMD/EHS.

The proper waste segregation of Hazardous Waste chemicals is essential to promote safe storage of those chemicals as well as facilitate the economical disposal of the waste. Follow these general guidelines when segregating chemicals. If more information is needed on segregation of waste chemicals refer to the EHS procedure 5 on Segregation of Waste Chemicals.

1. The following categories of hazardous wastes should be segregated from each other:

2. Heavy metal containing compounds (arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, selenium, silver) and poisons that are acutely toxic may NEVER be accumulated with flammable liquids. Refer to the P-list in the Identification of Hazardous Waste policy to determine the identify of acutely toxic poisons.

Chemically contaminated solid waste that is not contaminated with a potentially infectious material must be placed in a leakproof container that is puncture proof. A plastic lined cardboard box is acceptable for this type of waste. The container must be labeled with the same information as hazardous chemical waste.

1. No chemicals, no matter how innocuous they might seem, shall not be placed in municipal waste containers (dumpsters, trash cans, etc.), evaporated in a fume hood, poured down drains, rinsed down sanitary sewers or in any other way released to the environment without consulting the Environmental Management Division of EHS first. Improper disposal of hazardous waste could result in a fine, imprisonment, or both.

2. The generators must fill out a "Hazardous/Chemical Waste Removal Form" to have the chemical waste picked up by EMD/EHS . Instructions for filling out the form are given on the back of the form. Send the completed form to the Environmental Management Division at EHS, 714 W. Lombard St., or fax the form to 6-8212.