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2001 School Chemical Removal

2001 School Chemical Removal. WVDEP Division 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

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2001 School Chemical Removal

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  1. 2001 School Chemical Removal WVDEP Division of Waste Management

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. Condition of the Chemicals:

  5. Buildings like this were entered.

  6. Boxes like this were opened.

  7. Chemicals were classified...

  8. …from unknown solids...

  9. …and unknown liquids...

  10. …to maintenance chemicals.

  11. Jars of chemicals were found packed in boxes...

  12. …and leaking onto back room shelves.

  13. Some usable chemicals were transferred to new containers.

  14. Waste chemicals were packed for disposal…

  15. …and loaded into transport vehicles.

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

  17. Some had sorted the chemicals into family groups.

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

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

  20. 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

  21. Other Nasty Snags… • Archaic chemical names • Improper labeling • Incompatibles packed together • Shortage of supplies

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

  23. 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

  24. Safe Storage & Handling

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

  26. 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.

  27. 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

  28. Common Misconceptions: • “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.”

  29. 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

  30. Recommended Safety Practices • Examine your currently available storage space.

  31. Avoid floor clutter

  32. Avoid shelf clutter

  33. Consider inexpensive storage containers for small or loose items.

  34. Arrange containers based on compatibility

  35. Keep your containers in good condition

  36. Re-package containers which are not in good condition

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

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

  39. Order and use the smallest containers appropriate for your labs

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

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

  42. Acids should be stored in an Acid Cabinet

  43. Flammables should be stored in a Flammables Cabinet

  44. Dress for safety: -- eyewear -- gloves -- apron or lab coat -- closed-toed leather shoes

  45. Overhead storage can be dangerous

  46. Additional Safety Measures • An eye wash unit and / or emergency shower nearby (but not in the storage room)

  47. Adequate Ventilation • Chemical storage areas • Chemical preparation areas • For volatile compounds use a fume hood! • Chemical use areas

  48. Emergency gas shut-off valve

  49. Retractable electrical outlets

  50. 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

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