How to handle How to handle Laboratory waste?Laboratory waste?

Ravi KumudeshRavi KumudeshBSc/PG Dip(SMgt)/Dip(MLT)BSc/PG Dip(SMgt)/Dip(MLT)

Ministry Of Health, Sri LankaMinistry Of Health, Sri Lanka

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IntroductionIntroduction

Safe, healthy & productive workplace Safe, healthy & productive workplace environmentenvironment

Responsible and effectively handling of Responsible and effectively handling of hazardous wastehazardous waste

Good lab etiquetteGood lab etiquette Municipal and government laws exist to Municipal and government laws exist to

regulate and control hazardous waste disposalregulate and control hazardous waste disposal

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Waste managementWaste management

Manage waste responsible:Manage waste responsible: Classification/ Characterizing hazardous wasteClassification/ Characterizing hazardous waste Proper packagingProper packaging Proper storage of wasteProper storage of waste Effective labelingEffective labeling Waste collection protocol in placeWaste collection protocol in place

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Types of wasteTypes of waste

Normal Municipal waste (general)Normal Municipal waste (general) Recyclable waste Recyclable waste Broken GlassBroken Glass Biological / Medical wasteBiological / Medical waste Chemical wasteChemical waste Sharps, Broken GlassSharps, Broken Glass Radioactive material wasteRadioactive material waste Electronic and computer wasteElectronic and computer waste

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Hazardous WasteHazardous Waste Any waste that directly or indirectly represents a Any waste that directly or indirectly represents a

threat to human health or to the environment by threat to human health or to the environment by introducing one or more of the following risks:introducing one or more of the following risks: Explosion or fireExplosion or fire Infections, pathogens, parasites or their vectorsInfections, pathogens, parasites or their vectors Chemical instability, reactions or corrosionChemical instability, reactions or corrosion Acute or chronic toxicityAcute or chronic toxicity Cancer, mutations or birth defectsCancer, mutations or birth defects Toxicity or damage to the ecosystems or natural resourcesToxicity or damage to the ecosystems or natural resources Accumulation in the biological food chain, persistence in Accumulation in the biological food chain, persistence in

the environment or multiple effectsthe environment or multiple effects

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CHEMICAL WASTECHEMICAL WASTE

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Classification dangerous goods and substancesClassification dangerous goods and substances

Class 1 ExplosivesClass 1 Explosives Class 2 GasesClass 2 Gases Class 3 Flammable liquidsClass 3 Flammable liquids Class 4 Flammable solidsClass 4 Flammable solids Class 5 Oxidizing substances and organic peroxidesClass 5 Oxidizing substances and organic peroxides Class 6 Toxic and infectious substancesClass 6 Toxic and infectious substances Class 7 Radioactive SubstancesClass 7 Radioactive Substances Class 8 CorrosivesClass 8 Corrosives Class 9 Other miscellaneous substancesClass 9 Other miscellaneous substances

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Segregate chemical wasteSegregate chemical waste Proper segregation = good chemical hygiene + safe Proper segregation = good chemical hygiene + safe

workplace environmentworkplace environment Only put compatible chemicals in a containerOnly put compatible chemicals in a container Also do not store the following near each otherAlso do not store the following near each other

Acids and basesAcids and bases Organics and acidsOrganics and acids Powdered or reactive metals and combustible materialsPowdered or reactive metals and combustible materials Cyanide, sulfide or arsenic compounds and acidsCyanide, sulfide or arsenic compounds and acids Mercury or silver and ammonium containing compoundsMercury or silver and ammonium containing compounds

Do not mix solids and liquidsDo not mix solids and liquids Halogenated with non-halogenated chemicalsHalogenated with non-halogenated chemicals

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Chemical Waste Compatibility (1)Chemical Waste Compatibility (1) Incompatible chemical waste not be mixed or Incompatible chemical waste not be mixed or

store togetherstore together If it must be store in same area – separated If it must be store in same area – separated

secondary containmentsecondary containment Container must be compatible with the waste:Container must be compatible with the waste:

Mineral acids - plasticMineral acids - plastic Bases -PlasticBases -Plastic Oxidizers - GlassOxidizers - Glass Organics (incl Acetic acid) - GlassOrganics (incl Acetic acid) - Glass

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Chemical Waste Compatibility (2)Chemical Waste Compatibility (2)Take special careTake special care Nitric acid:Nitric acid:

Reacts with organics-heat & gasReacts with organics-heat & gasBe sure container is rinse thoroughlyBe sure container is rinse thoroughly

Perchloric acid, Organic PeroxidesPerchloric acid, Organic Peroxides::

Highly reactive with organics and organic material Highly reactive with organics and organic material (wood). May react with metals(wood). May react with metals

Hydrofluoric acid:Hydrofluoric acid: Dissolves glass containersDissolves glass containers

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Packaging of chemical waste (1)Packaging of chemical waste (1)

Place hazardous waste in sealable containersPlace hazardous waste in sealable containers Enviroserv supply different plastic and metal Enviroserv supply different plastic and metal

containerscontainers Sized from 25L to 200L, plastic or metal. Sized from 25L to 200L, plastic or metal. Containers must be kept closed.Containers must be kept closed. Do not leave a hazardous waste container with a Do not leave a hazardous waste container with a

funnel in it.funnel in it. Glass bottles with waste must be packed with Glass bottles with waste must be packed with

vermiculite into bigger containers.vermiculite into bigger containers.

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Packaging of chemical waste (2)Packaging of chemical waste (2)

The container should not react with the waste The container should not react with the waste being stored (e.g. NO hydrofluoric acid in glass)being stored (e.g. NO hydrofluoric acid in glass)

Similar wastes may be mixed if they are Similar wastes may be mixed if they are compatiblecompatible

Wastes from incompatible hazard classes should Wastes from incompatible hazard classes should not be mixed (e.g. organic solvents with oxiders)not be mixed (e.g. organic solvents with oxiders)

Be aware that certain metals also cause disposal Be aware that certain metals also cause disposal problems when mixed with flammable liquid or problems when mixed with flammable liquid or other organic liquidsother organic liquids..

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LabelingLabeling Must be labeled as HAZARDOUS WASTEMust be labeled as HAZARDOUS WASTE Should be accurate, legible and fully explainedShould be accurate, legible and fully explained Contain name of the department, lab group Contain name of the department, lab group

name, contact person details, content and name, contact person details, content and concentration, hazard class, dateconcentration, hazard class, date

Use Enviroserv /Sanumed self adhesive labels Use Enviroserv /Sanumed self adhesive labels or your own.or your own.

Waste vs. usedWaste vs. used No old labelsNo old labels

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Waste classification by EnviroservWaste classification by Enviroserv

Specific codes for different departments (BOTZOO)Specific codes for different departments (BOTZOO)CodeCode TypeType Disposal MethodDisposal Method 3A3A FlammablesFlammables ABWABW 3B3B Toxic compoundsToxic compounds EE 3C3C Polyethelene GlycolsPolyethelene Glycols TATA 3D3D Contaminated Broken GlassContaminated Broken Glass TCTC 3E3E Contaminated tips, tubesContaminated tips, tubes TCTC 3F3F Mineral acidsMineral acids ITP with ITP with

LimeLime 3G3G Concentrated organic acidsConcentrated organic acids TWCTWC

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StorageStorageSelect the correct container (glass / polyethylene) for Select the correct container (glass / polyethylene) for storagestorage

Use original containers if possibleUse original containers if possibleUse appropriate sized containerUse appropriate sized containerDo not make containers too heavy to lift by the Do not make containers too heavy to lift by the contractorscontractors

Containers must be tightly sealed and not leakContainers must be tightly sealed and not leakContainers correctly labeledContainers correctly labeledContainer compatible with chemical being stored -Container compatible with chemical being stored -separate containers for each type of wasteseparate containers for each type of waste

Do not store longer than 90 daysDo not store longer than 90 days

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Collection ProceduresCollection Procedures Pack Pack all waste in drums provided by contractorsall waste in drums provided by contractors Ensure glass bottles are prevented from breaking by Ensure glass bottles are prevented from breaking by

adding vermiculiteadding vermiculite All drums must be properly classified and labelled as All drums must be properly classified and labelled as

HAZARDOUS WASTEHAZARDOUS WASTE When drums are full, fill in a pick-up form and When drums are full, fill in a pick-up form and

forward to USBD (Piet van Deventer, email forward to USBD (Piet van Deventer, email pjvd@sun.ac.za)pjvd@sun.ac.za)

USBD will arrange for contractors (Enviroserv) to USBD will arrange for contractors (Enviroserv) to pick up the drums at your departmentpick up the drums at your department

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Special waste (1)Special waste (1)

Ethidium BromideEthidium Bromide Electrophoresis gels < 0.1% - trashElectrophoresis gels < 0.1% - trash Electrophoresis gels >0.1% - biohazard boxElectrophoresis gels >0.1% - biohazard box EtBr solution- charcoal filtrationEtBr solution- charcoal filtration

MercuryMercury Spilled-pooled droplets, gloves & paper-puncture Spilled-pooled droplets, gloves & paper-puncture

resistant container –label “mercury spill debris”resistant container –label “mercury spill debris”

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Special waste (2)Special waste (2) Silica gelSilica gel

Not grossly contaminated – normal lab trashNot grossly contaminated – normal lab trash Heavy contaminated- disposed as hazardous wasteHeavy contaminated- disposed as hazardous waste

Batteries Batteries Classified as universal waste rather than hazardous Classified as universal waste rather than hazardous

wastewaste Contain mercury, cadmium, lead, silver, lead-acidContain mercury, cadmium, lead, silver, lead-acid Alkaline (no Hg) - not to be put in the normal trash.Alkaline (no Hg) - not to be put in the normal trash. South Africa Recycle program?South Africa Recycle program?

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Unidentified Chemical wasteUnidentified Chemical waste Should be considered unknown hazardous waste.Should be considered unknown hazardous waste. Unknown waste cannot be legally transported or disposed.Unknown waste cannot be legally transported or disposed. To dispose them safely and properly it need to be characterised To dispose them safely and properly it need to be characterised

by Enviroserv which is a costly affair.by Enviroserv which is a costly affair. Find out as much as possible about how the waste was Find out as much as possible about how the waste was

generated.generated. Please Please DO NOTDO NOT

Pour unknown chemicals down the drainPour unknown chemicals down the drainMix unknown chemicals with any other chemicalsMix unknown chemicals with any other chemicals

Bring unknown chemicals to a regular waste pick up Bring unknown chemicals to a regular waste pick up Abandon unknown chemicals in the work area.Abandon unknown chemicals in the work area.

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BIOLOGICAL WASTEBIOLOGICAL WASTE Definition:Definition: Waste generated from biologically- Waste generated from biologically-

cultured stocks and plates, molecular material, cultured stocks and plates, molecular material, blood, animal and plant tissues etc.blood, animal and plant tissues etc.

All sharps e.g. glass implements, needles, All sharps e.g. glass implements, needles, syringes, blades, glass Pasteur pipettessyringes, blades, glass Pasteur pipettes

Separate biological waste from chemical Separate biological waste from chemical hazardous wastehazardous waste

Treat to eliminate biohazard by sterilization or Treat to eliminate biohazard by sterilization or incinerationincineration

Label correct, use biohazard tapeLabel correct, use biohazard tape

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Biological waste cont.Biological waste cont. Animal Bedding wasteAnimal Bedding waste

Bagged – not be mixed with other wasteBagged – not be mixed with other waste Labelled as animal bedding wasteLabelled as animal bedding waste Are to be autoclaved before being placed in medical Are to be autoclaved before being placed in medical

waste boxes – disposed in the medical waste streamwaste boxes – disposed in the medical waste stream Animal carcassesAnimal carcasses

Are kept frozenAre kept frozen Get an order number from Elmarie King –USBD Get an order number from Elmarie King –USBD

(ek2@sun.ac.za)(ek2@sun.ac.za) Department took the carcasses themselves to the Department took the carcasses themselves to the

Western Province Veterinary lab , Stb for incinerationWestern Province Veterinary lab , Stb for incineration

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Containers (1) –Biological Containers (1) –Biological Biohazard/medical waste Biohazard/medical waste

boxesboxes Disposal of non-sharp bio Disposal of non-sharp bio

hazardous wastehazardous waste Cardboard box lined with Cardboard box lined with

a red 45 micron plastic baga red 45 micron plastic bag Two sizes 50 and 142 litre-Two sizes 50 and 142 litre-

max 15kgmax 15kg Seal bag with cable tie, Seal bag with cable tie,

seal box with biohaz .tapeseal box with biohaz .tape Sanumed destruct it by Sanumed destruct it by

high temp. incinerationhigh temp. incineration

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Containers (2) –BiologicalContainers (2) –Biological Biohazard Sharp Biohazard Sharp

containerscontainers Disposal sharp bio-Disposal sharp bio-

hazardous wastehazardous waste 100% puncture proof100% puncture proof Available in 4, 7.6, Available in 4, 7.6,

10, 15 and 25 10, 15 and 25 ll Destruction by high Destruction by high

temptemp

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Containers (3) –BiologicalContainers (3) –Biological

Specimen binsSpecimen bins For safe human and For safe human and

animal tissue animal tissue disposal.disposal.

Ideal for wet wasteIdeal for wet waste Available in 2.5, 5 Available in 2.5, 5

and 10and 10 l l bin bin Destruction by high Destruction by high

temptemp

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Points to rememberPoints to remember

No bio-hazardous waste shall be stored for longer No bio-hazardous waste shall be stored for longer than 24 hours without being decontaminatedthan 24 hours without being decontaminated

Decontaminated bio-hazardous waste stored up to Decontaminated bio-hazardous waste stored up to 30 days30 days

No storage public areasNo storage public areas Store under refrigeration if necessary to prevent Store under refrigeration if necessary to prevent

odorsodors Sharps containers treated as regular bio-hazardous Sharps containers treated as regular bio-hazardous

wastewaste

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Bio-hazardous waste Pick-up Bio-hazardous waste Pick-up Procedures Procedures

Seal red bags when ¾ full with cable ties Seal red bags when ¾ full with cable ties provided by contractorprovided by contractor

Seal Biohazard/Medical waste boxes with Seal Biohazard/Medical waste boxes with biohazard tapebiohazard tape

Complete chemical/biological waste pick-up Complete chemical/biological waste pick-up request formrequest form

Forward electronically to USBD Forward electronically to USBD USBD will arrange for contractor (Sanumed) to USBD will arrange for contractor (Sanumed) to

pick up waste and replace containers as neededpick up waste and replace containers as needed

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Ways to minimize wasteWays to minimize waste Good housekeepingGood housekeeping Document ProceduresDocument Procedures Maintain Chemical inventoryMaintain Chemical inventory Centralize purchasingCentralize purchasing Spill PreparednessSpill Preparedness Neutralize corrosivesNeutralize corrosives Minimize use of solventsMinimize use of solvents Use alternative productsUse alternative products

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Thank You