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
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