University at Albany Hazardous Waste Program · WASTE TRAINING at THE UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY University at Albany Office of Environmental Health and Safety 2010 . University at Albany

HAZARDOUS and UNIVERSAL

WASTE TRAINING at

THE UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY

University at Albany

Office of Environmental Health and Safety

2010


Hazardous and Universal

Waste Program

The University at Albany has a

comprehensive hazardous and

universal waste disposal

program which incorporates all

federal, state and local

regulations pertaining to waste

disposal.


Hazardous Waste Program

The NYS Department of

Environmental Conservation

(DEC) regulates hazardous

waste and its management in

New York State.


Hazardous Waste Program Basically, NYS incorporated the

Environmental Protection Agency’s

(EPA) regulations and included some of

their own – in particular regulating

PCB’s as hazardous waste.

This little dredge boat removed tons of sediment containing 25,000 pounds of PCBs - about one quarter the amount to be removed from the Hudson - over three summers.



WHAT CONSTITUTES A

HAZARDOUS WASTE?


Hazardous Waste Program Chemicals/Products

containing chemicals that are:

Generated from a process or reaction as waste

No longer useable or expired

No longer wanted

Past their safe shelf life

These are all considered HAZARDOUS WASTES.


Hazardous Waste Program Characteristics of Hazardous Wastes

(usually looking at mixtures of wastes):

Ignitability – Flashpoint < 140 degrees F

Examples - Acetone, Ethanol, Hexane, some Paint Thinners

Corrosivity – pH less than or equal to 2 or greater than or equal to 12.5

Examples – Nitric Acid, Sulfuric Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Hydroxide, Muriatic Acid (Hydrochloric Acid)


Hazardous Waste Program NYS Hazardous Waste regulations

are found in 6 NYCRR Parts 370-376.

Part 371- Identification and Listing of

Hazardous Wastes.

The University’s Hazardous Waste

Program and the identification and

listing of Hazardous Wastes can be

found in the University’s Chemical

Hygiene Plan at

http://www.albany.edu/ehs/


Hazardous Waste Program Reactivity – Reacts violently with water,

cyanide or sulfide bearing,

can detonate or explode

Examples: Hydrazine,

Toluene Diisocyanate, Phosphorus Sulfide

Toxicity – Heavy metals and pesticides

Examples: Arsenic, Barium, Lead (Metal

Filings & Paint), Benzene, Silver, Lindane,

Endrin, Chromium

P or U listed

Examples: Toluene, Arsenic Pentoxide


Hazardous Waste Program CHEMICALS DO NOT GO

DOWN THE DRAIN OR IN

THE TRASH.

Kimwipes, paper towels

or rags contaminated

with solvents/chemicals

may also be considered

a Hazardous Waste.

Oily rags do not go in

the regular trash. They

must be collected and

disposed of through the

EH&S Office.



Look for the

RED STOP Sign

on all

laboratory and

shop sinks!


Hazardous Waste Program Aerosol Cans are considered

hazardous waste, if there is

any product left in them.

If you push down the spray

button and product still

comes out, the can is not

empty.

All non-empty aerosol cans

must be collected for

disposal as hazardous waste.


Hazardous Waste Program By law, all hazardous waste

containers must be labeled with the words “Hazardous Waste”.

The label must also indicate the contents of the container. Chemical formulas or abbreviations are not allowed. Labels are available from the EH&S Office.

Do NOT date your waste! It will be dated when EH&S accepts it and puts it into storage for disposal.


Hazardous Waste Program HAZARDOUS WASTE RULES:

Do not mix incompatible wastes,

e.g. nitric acid and alcohols.

Only store hazardous wastes in containers that are compatible with the waste stream, e.g. do not store waste hydrofluoric acid in a glass bottle.

Only use containers in good condition, e.g. not dented or rusty.


Hazardous Waste Program HAZARDOUS WASTE RULES

cont.:

Keep all hazardous wastes in

sealed containers. Waste

containers should only be

open when you are actively

adding waste to the container.

It is illegal to evaporate waste

in a fume hood.



HAZARDOUS WASTE RULES cont.:

All hazardous wastes should be stored

safely with other compatible wastes.

Flammable hazardous waste should be

stored in a flammable storage cabinet.



All labs/shops should have designated areas for their different waste streams.

Ask your supervisor where these designated areas are located in your workplace.


Hazardous Waste Program Anytime you are

handling hazardous

waste, you must wear

the appropriate

personal protective

equipment (PPE).

This includes eye

protection, gloves,

leather shoes and

possibly a lab coat or

apron.


Hazardous Waste Program If you have a full container

of hazardous waste that is

properly labeled, please

call Nay Gosai, the

University’s Hazardous

Waste Specialist, at 2-3495

to set up an appointment to

dispose of your waste.

YOU MUST MAKE AN

APPOINTMENT FIRST!



Be aware of where the spill kits and

emergency equipment are located in

your area.



All empty chemical containers, including hazardous waste containers, are to be recycled through CAS Stores located in the basement of Chemistry.

All containers must be clean and their labels defaced before CAS Stores will accept them.

If the container held hazardous waste, then it must be tripled rinsed with the appropriate solvent and then brought down to CAS Stores. The rinsate should be saved as hazardous waste.



In an effort to minimize the University community’s exposure to mercury and to minimize hazardous waste generated from spills, the University at Albany is slowly eliminating mercury containing thermometers on campus.

CAS Stores is only selling non-mercury containing thermometers and the Chemistry Teaching Labs are only using non-mercury containing thermometers.

For more information, contact the EHS Office in Chem. B73.


Recycling Program

The University at Albany also has a

large recycling program which includes

paper, glass, plastic bottles, aluminum

cans, used oil, computer monitors,

various electronics and Universal

Waste.


Universal Waste Program

What is Universal Waste?

Another type of waste regulated by

NYS DEC under 6 NYCRR Subpart 374-

3 – Standards for Universal Wastes

Universal Waste by definition includes

all batteries, various pesticides,

mercury thermostats, and all light

bulbs, except incandescent


Universal Waste Program The University at Albany recycles through its

Universal Waste Program:

All Light Bulbs (except incandescent)

and Ballasts

All Batteries

Used Oil

Mercury and Mercury Thermostats

Computer Monitors and other electronic

equipment

If you have Universal Waste to dispose of, call the

EH&S Office at 2-3495.


Stormwater Management Plan The University has a

comprehensive

stormwater plan, which

is in place to prevent

water pollution. The

University’s stormwater

catch basins eventually

empty into Indian Lake

and ultimately into the

Hudson River.



WHEN IN DOUBT, ASK ??????’s

If you have any questions

regarding the University’s policies

on waste disposal, please feel free

to contact Nay Gosai, in the EHS

Office in Chemistry B73 or

call 442-3495.

THANK YOU!!!!

Documents

University at Albany Hazardous Waste Program · WASTE TRAINING at THE UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY University at Albany Office of Environmental Health and Safety 2010 . University at Albany