UNIDENTIFIED
CHEMICAL WASTE CHARACTERIZATION PROGRAM
Chemical
materials, which either were originally inadequately
labeled or have subsequently lost their label,
are on occasion encountered in University laboratories.
The following characterization protocol
has been developed in an effort to prepare and
present the material for proper and safe disposal.
The following procedures are to be performed by
personnel from the Department of Environmental
Health and Safety utilizing prudent laboratory
practices. These practices include at a minimum:
- Performing the work in a laboratory setting
with a fully-functional eye wash station and shower
station in close proximity.
- Performing the work in a fully-functional chemical
fume hood.
- The use of appropriate eye protection (glasses
or goggles).
- The use of disposable nitrite rubber gloves.
- The use of outer garment protection (disposable
tyvek lab coats).
The
following testing protocols have been prepared
after discussions with selected hazardous waste
disposal contractors, other colleges and universities
and selected reference materials.
An
IUPUI Unidentified Chemical Waste Characterization
and Characterization Analyses Record form is to
be completed for each container of unidentified
materials as the material is being evaluated.
PRE-SAMPLING
PROTOCOL
-
All unidentified chemical containers are to be
handled and opened only in fully-functional chemical
fume loads.
- Containers are to be directly handled as little
as possible until they have been more closely
evaluated.
- Containers with liquid are to be inspected for
visible peroxide formation.
- Containers with solids are to be visibly inspected
for crystallization or other chemical formation
around the cap or lid.
- Containers suspected of containing peroxides
or other potentially explosive compounds are to
be set aside for further evaluation. With the
direct approval of the Department’s Environmental
Manager, suspect containers may be:
1) Soaked inverted in room temperature distilled
water for a minimum of 30 minutes.
2) Opened behind a portable benchtop safety shield.
-
The container is to be labeled in the following
manner:
The
top entry is to be a five-digit identification
number (year followed by sequential number).
The bottom entry is to be the date received by
the Department of Environmental Health & Safety.
- Scan the container before and after opening
with the Bicron Surveyor 2000 radiation meter.
Record results on analysis record (Radioactivity
Screen).
- Only plastic or teflon spatulas should be used
in transferring material.
TESTING PROCEDURES
SOLIDS
1. Remove approximately 0.1 gram of material and
place into a pyrex or porcelain watch dish.
2. Expose material to the flame of a bunsen burner.
Describe reaction on the analysis record form
(Flame Test).
3. Remove an additional 0.1 gram of material and
place onto a clean porcelain watch dish.
Add one drop of distilled water. Does the material
show any indication of being water reactive?
Describe reaction on analysis record form (Water
Reactive).
4. If the material does not appear to be water
reactive, conduct the following:
Place
approximately 1 gram of material into 50 ml of
distilled water in a 100 ml pyrex beaker. Observe
solubility.
Record results on analysis record (Water Soluble).
If
the material is water soluble, add an additional
9 grams of
the material to the distilled water and continue
steps 5-12 as described.
In the event the material is insoluble in water,
remove an additional 10 grams of material
and place on a pyrex or porcelain watch disk.
Dampen with distilled water. Complete steps 5-12.
5. Test the pH utilizing Colorfast, non-bleeding
indicator strips (1-14). Record on analysis record
(pH).
If
pH is less than 3, conduct the following:
6. Place 0.1 gram material on a clean pyrex or
porcelain plate.
Add one drop of 37% sulfuric acid. Record results
on analysis record (Acid Reactive).
If
not acid reactive, conduct the following:
7. Test the solution produced in step 4 with Oxidation
Reduction Probe (ORP)
with Cole-Parmer Meter 05669-00. Record results
on analysis record (Oxidation Potential).
If
pH is between 3 and 10, complete the following:
8. Test the solution produced in step 4 with Cole-Parmer
Meter 05669-00 with Oxidation Reduction Probe
(ORP).
Record results on analysis record (Oxidation Potential).
9. Test the solution produced in step 4 with EM
Science Peroxide test strips as directed on container.
Record results on analysis record (Peroxide Screen).
If
pH is 10 or above complete the following:
10. Test the solution produced in step 4 with
EM Science cyanide test kit as directed in kit.
Record results on analysis record (Cyanide Screen).
11.
Place 20 ml of the solution produced in step 4
in pyrex or porcelain plate.
While holding a piece of lead acetate paper (wetted
with water) over the sample.
Add seven drops of 37% hydrochloric acid solution.
Note the color change to the lead acetate paper.
A brown color change indicates the presence of
sulfides. Record results on analysis record (Sulfide
Screen).
12.
Follow attached flow chart for solids to determine
hazard classification. Record on analysis record.
LIQUIDS
1. Remove approximately 1 ml of material and place
into a pyrex or porcelain watch dish.
2. Expose material to the flame of a bunsen burner.
Describe reaction on the analysis record form
(Flame Test).
3. Remove an additional 2 ml of material and place
onto a clean porcelain watch dish.
Add one drop of distilled water. Does the material
show any indication of being water reactive?
Describe reaction on analysis record form (Water
Reactive).
4. If the material does not appear to water reactive,
conduct the following:
Place approximately 1 gram of material into 50
ml of distilled water in a 100 ml pyrex beaker.
Observe solubility. Record results on analysis
record (Water Soluble).
In
the event the material is water soluble, add an
additional 10 ml of the material to the distilled
water
and continue steps 5-12 as described. In the event
the material is insoluble in water,
remove an additional 10 ml of material and place
into a 50 ml pyrex beaker.
5. Test the pH utilizing ColorpHast, non-bleeding
indicator strips (1-14). Record on analysis record
(pH).
If
pH is less than 3, conduct the following:
6. Place 1 ml material on a clean pyrex or porcelain
plate. Add one drop of 37% sulfuric acid.
Record results on analysis record (Acid Reactive).
If
not acid reactive, conduct the following:
7. Test the solution produced in step 4 with Oxidation
Reduction Probe (ORP) with Cole-Parmer Meter 05669-00.
Record results on analysis record (Oxidation Potential).
If
pH is between 3 and 10, complete the following:
8. Test the solution produced in step 4 with Cole-Parmer
Meter 05669-00 with
Oxidation Reduction Probe (ORP). Record results
on analysis record (Oxidation Potential).
9. Test the solution produced in step 4 with EM
Science Peroxide test strips as
directed on container. Record results on analysis
record (Peroxide Screen).
If
pH is 10 or above complete the following:
10.
Test the solution produced in step 4 with EM Science
cyanide test
kit as directed in kit. Record results on analysis
record (Cyanide Screen).
11. Place 20 ml of the solution produced in step
4 in pyrex or porcelain plate.
While holding a piece of lead acetate paper (wetted
with water) over the sample.
Add seven drops of 37% hydrochloric acid solution.
Note the color change to the lead acetate paper.
A brown color change indicates
the presence of sulfides. Record results on analysis
record (Sulfide Screen).
12.
Follow attached flow chart for solids to determine
hazard classification. Record on analysis record.
INDIANA UNIVERSITY-PURDUE UNIVERSITY INDIANAPOLIS
UNIDENTIFIED CHEMICAL WASTE CHARACTERIZATION FORM
(TO BE COMPLETED FOR EACH CONTAINER)
SOURCE:
BUILDING (ALPHA CODE):__________ ROOM #:__________
DEPARTMENT:______________________________
CONTACT PERSON:______________________________
TELEPHONE #:____________________ ACCOUNT#:____________________
CURRENT STORAGE LOCATION:________________________________________
CONTAINER DESCRIPTION:
TYPE OF CONTAINER:__________ GLASS:__________
PLASTIC:__________
METAL:______ FIBER:__________
OTHER (SPECIFY):____________________
CONTAINER CONDITION:
IS THE CONTAINER (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
CRACKED?_______ CRAZED?_______ PITTED? __________
CORRODED?_______ LEAKING? __________
DOES THE CONTAINER SHOW ANY SIGN OF FAILING (LEAKING)?
YES:_________ NO:__________
ADDITIONAL CONTAINER CONDITION CONCERNS NOT ALREADY
MENTIONED:
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
ORIGINAL CONTAINER: YES:______ NO:______ UNCERTAIN:__________
SIZE OR VOLUME OF CONTAINER (SPECIFY UNITS):____________________
VOLUME OF MATERIAL IN CONTAINER (SPECIFY UNITS):
____________________
MANUFACTURER OR DISTRIBUTOR:________________________________________
IS THE LID INTACT & SEALED:______ YES:______
NO:__________
SUSPECTED TO CONTAIN:__________________________________________________
SUSPECTED AGE (IN YEARS):____________________
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
(IF READILY AVAILABLE WITHOUT OPENING THE CONTAINER).
PHYSICAL STATE (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY AND INDICATE
APPROXIMATE PERCENT
COMPOSITION OR EACH - MUST TOTAL 100%):
COMPRESSED GAS:______ LIQUID:______ SOLID:__________
DESCRIPTION OF MATERIAL (DESCRIBE EACH PHASE)
SOLIDS:________ COLOR:__________
CRYSTALS:____ PELLETS:____ POWDER:____ CHUNKS:____
SOLID MASS - WILL NOT COME OUT OF CONTAINER:__________
LIQUIDS:________ COLOR:__________
TRANSPARENT:____ TRANSLUCENT:____ OPAQUE:____
VISCOUS: OR FREE FLOWING:__________
NUMBER OF VISIBLE LAYERS:__________
OTHER PHYSICAL ESCRIPTION:___________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
IS THE MATERIAL KNOWN OR SUSPECTED OF BEING RADIOACTIVE:
YES:__________ NO:__________
SPECIFY TYPE AND SOURCE
ALPHA:_________ BETA:_________ GAMMA:__________
OBVIOUS
ODOR? (DO NOT DIRECTLY SMELL CONTAINER OR MATERIAL)
YES: _________ NO:__________
DESCRIBE:________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
SUBMITTED
BY:
_________________________ _________________________ ________________
NAME (PRINTED OR TYPED) SIGNATURE
DATE
EHS USE ONLY:
IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER:__________
DATE
RECEIVED:__________
DATE
CHARACTERIZED:__________
CHARACTERIZATION ANALYSES RECORD
(TO BE COMPLETED BY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH &
SAFETY)
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER:__________
ADDITIONAL PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION (TO SUPPLEMENT
CHARACTERIZATION
FORM: _________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
LIQUID:_____ SOLID:______ GAS:__________
CONTAINER SOUND:______ YES:______ NO: __________
LID INTACT:______ YES:______ NO:__________
LID TIGHT FITTING & SEALING:______ YES:______
NO:__________
INDICATIONS OF PEROXIDE FORMATION:______ YES:______
NO:__________
DESCRIBE: _____________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
RADIOACTIVITY SCREEN: POSITIVE: NEGATIVE:__________
ACTIVITY: mR/hr
FLAME TEST; REACTION DESCRIPTION:___________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
FLASH POINT: °F
WATER REACTIVE: YES:_________ NO:__________
REACTION DESCRIPTION: _______________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
SEVERITY:
SLIGHT:_______ MILD:_______ SEVERE:_______ VIOLENT:_______
WATER SOLUBLE:________ YES:_________ NO:__________
IF INSOLUBLE:______ FLOATS:______ SINKS:__________
GOES INTO SUSPENSION:__________
pH:__________
ACID REACTIVE (IF pH <3): YES: NO:
REACTION DESCRIPTION: ______________________________
________________________________________________________________________
OXIDATION POTENTIAL: mV
PEROXIDE SCREEN: POSITIVE: NEGATIVE:__________
CONCENTRATION: mg/L
CYANIDE SCREEN: POSITIVE: NEGATIVE:_________
CONCENTRATION: mg/L
SULFIDE SCREEN: POSITIVE: NEGATIVE:__________
HAZARD CLASSIFICATION FROM FLOW CHART: ______________________________
PREPARED
BY: ______________________ DATE: __________
