2001 School Chemical Removal

WVDEPDivision of Waste Management

Known Statistics

Approximately 80% of all aging and unwanted chemicals were located and picked up.

86% of those had potential to cause serious health effects.

109 actual pick up sites

Average disposal cost per site = $1,843.83

Most expensive = $13,685.00

Least expensive = $112.50

Steps to Getting It Done:

CHEMIS training through RESA

Locate and identify unwanted

chemicals

Search for funding

Final contract with disposal company

Physical pick up of chemicals

Condition of the Chemicals:

Buildings like this were entered.

Boxes like this were opened.

Chemicals were classified...

…from unknown solids...

…and unknown liquids...

…to maintenance chemicals.

Jars of chemicals were found packed in boxes...

…and leaking onto back room shelves.

Some usable chemicals were transferred to new containers.

Waste chemicals were packed for disposal…

…and loaded into transport vehicles.

When notified in advance, some instructors placed the chemicals on lab tables for easy access.

Some had sorted the chemicals into family groups.

Some counties and schools randomly boxed up various chemicals and stacked them in

warehouses.

Gaining access to some of the containers was difficult at times.

Procrastination Does Not Pay:

Poor storage and random packaging

extended chemical location and

identification by one year

Extended time worked per site by up to

two additional days each

Other Nasty Snags…

Archaic chemical names

Improper labeling

Incompatibles packed together

Shortage of supplies

Technical Problems Solved...

…include cleanup of potentially dangerous situations like this one, and frees up space.

What It Cost

The disposal expense for this project is estimated at $225,000 to $250,000

This is disposal cost only

Actual cost cannot be estimated

At least 14 different agencies, companies and associations

All 55 counties participated

Over 200 schools

Thousands of personnel hours

Safe Storage & Handling

Objective

Making your routine storage and handling of lab chemicals as safe as possible.

Today’s Situation:

Aging and unused hazardous chemicals which posed safety hazards have been removed.

Some lab storage areas are still unsafe due to poor storage and handling methods.

How Did We Get Here?

Abundance of Chemicals Over-estimated necessary quantities Better prices for ordering in bulk Manufacturers or other businesses

donated their excess or “exotic” chemicals

No regular stockroom inventory Poor labeling or no labeling

“Frequently used chemicals should be ordered in bulk.”

“Ordering in bulk is the best deal for the money.”

“Accept any donated chemicals…”

“Labs will always do the same experiments and demonstrations…”

“I’ll remember what I put in that jar.”

Common Misconceptions:

Acquisition Recommendations

Order the smallest quantity possible for each chemical No discounts, but final cost is less

Never accept “left-over” or “donated” chemicals There’s no guarantee of its purity If you don’t normally use it, you probably don’t need it

Experiments and instructors can and do change Textbooks, manuals & procedures change A new instructor may not follow your teaching plan

Labels are for everyone’s information

Recommended Safety Practices

Examine your currently available storage space.

Avoid floor clutter

Avoid shelf clutter

Consider inexpensive storage containers for small or loose items.

Arrange containers based on compatibility

Keep your containers in good condition

Re-package containers which are not in good condition

Food jars are designed to hold food. Store hazardous lab chemicals only in containers designed to hold them.

Use durable waterproof labels and markers to clearly indicate what is in the container.

Order and use the smallest containers appropriate for your labs

Your chemical storage area is not a kitchen—no food storage please!

Sturdy shelving units with edging to prevent containers from falling off.

Acids should be stored in an Acid Cabinet

Flammables should be stored in a Flammables Cabinet

Dress for safety:-- eyewear

-- gloves

-- apron or

lab coat-- closed-toed leather

shoes

Overhead storage can be dangerous

An eye wash unit and / or emergency shower nearby (but not in the storage room)

Additional Safety Measures

Adequate Ventilation

Chemical storage areas Chemical preparation areas

For volatile compounds use a fume hood!

Chemical use areas

Emergency gas shut-off valve

Retractable electrical outlets

Future Cost Minimization

Things to consider: annual chemical disposal budget annual chemical pick up and disposal chemical hygiene officer chemical usage review for science labs sign off sheet for extra-cost items

Goals Make yours an “active” project:

Aim for removal of hazardous or excess chemicals

Assure no future accumulation of excess or hazardous chemicals

Assure all personnel are adequately trained in proper safety procedures

Resources

Use all available resources in ways which keep costs to a minimum.

Remember: L -- Label everything clearly A -- Appropriate containers in good

condition B -- Be neat and orderly

S -- Store only what you will use A -- Always wear protective clothing F -- Food allowed in eating areas only E -- Everything in its place on a shelf T -- Time to inventory & organize Y -- Your safety is important