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Hazardous Waste Management Introduction
Hazardous waste may be generated from laboratory operations, facilities
operation and maintenance, construction and renovation activities,
photo processing, and a variety of other activities at the Institute.
Common hazardous wastes generated at the Institute include:
- Used solvents;
- Waste oils and lubricants generated by a variety
of operations including motor vehicles, elevators, plant maintenance,
etc;
- Unused chemicals and other hazardous substances, such as
strong acids & bases, paints, aerosol cans, etc. that are
no longer needed, do not meet specifications, are contaminated,
have exceeded their storage life, or are otherwise unusable;
- Used
ethylene glycol and other coolants;
- PCBs, batteries, lead paint
and other miscellaneous materials including, contaminated rags
and wipes, broken mercury-containing lamps (i.e. fluorescent
lamps) and thermometers.
The Environmental Management Program (EMP) is responsible for
assisting Institute personnel with hazardous waste management procedures
including disposal. EMP is available to assist with waste identification
and storage issues
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Summary of Requirements
The following summary of requirements provides a general overview
of regulatory requirements applicable to most generators of hazardous
waste.
Hazardous waste includes materials destined for disposal that
possess hazardous characteristics (i.e. toxic, ignitable, corrosive
or reactive), or substances that are listed as hazardous
waste by the EPA or DEP. Unknown materials that require EHS services
to identify will be the financial responsibility of the DLC.
 Labeling:
Containers, which store hazardous waste, must be properly and
clearly labeled. Labels must include: 1) the words "Hazardous
Waste"; 2) the container contents (e.g. "WASTE OIL,");
3) the hazards associated with the waste (e.g. "TOXIC”).
Once a satellite accumulation container becomes filled, the date
must be written on the label.
EMP provides HW labels (red tags), however other labels might
be used as well with EMP approval.
Hazardous waste regulations establish a two-tiered waste accumulation
and storage system: satellite accumulation and storage areas.
Satellite Accumulation: Hazardous waste accumulation, which is
at the point of generation and under the control of the person
generating the waste is called satellite accumulation. Regulations
allow a maximum of 55 gallons of hazardous waste or 1 quart of
acutely hazardous waste at each satellite accumulation area. Only
one container is allowed per waste stream. Satellite accumulation
containers must be closed unless waste is being added to the container.
Full containers of hazardous waste can be stored at the satellite
accumulation areas for a maximum of 3 days before being transferred
to a storage area.
Storage Areas: MIT can store hazardous waste on site for up
to 90 days. If required, EMP can set-up a ”less than 90-day “ storage
area for your DLC. The storage areas must meet the same requirements
as the satellite accumulation areas except for the amount and
type of hazardous waste stored.Hazardous waste containers must
be closed unless waste is being added to the container. There
are no limits to the amount of HW stored.EMP will set up and
manage your less than 90-day storage area.
Where available, full hazardous waste containers can be transferred
from the satellite accumulation area to the ”less than 90-day “ storage
area.
If your DLC does not have a ”less than 90-day storage area” you
can request a hazardous waste pick-up request via the web at http://web.mit.edu/environment/wastepickup/ .
- Emergency Preparedness & Prevention:
In accordance with regulatory requirements, the Institute maintains
Hazardous Waste Contingency Plan for the Cambridge campus. MIT
has also implemented preparedness and prevention procedures to
minimize threat of fire or explosion and has developed hazardous
waste contingency plan addressing emergency response.
Be aware of the dangers associated with each hazardous waste stream
you generate and know the locations of spill control equipment
available in your area. Familiarize yourself with your site-specific
emergency response and evacuation plan.
Anyone involved in the management of hazardous waste must complete
a training program, which covers applicable hazardous waste regulations.
EMP provides hazardous waste training sessions.
Regulations require that hazardous waste areas (satellite accumulation
areas and storage areas) be inspected on a weekly basis. Personnel
managing satellite accumulation areas are responsible for conducting
their area’s inspection. EMP conducts the weekly inspection
of all less than 90-day storage areas.
Contact EMP (x2-3477) for additional guidance.
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ETHER
Ether that is 6 months old and stored in metal cans must be transferred
to glass or plastic coated bottles and diluted with water before
being picked up by the EMP. If a metal can is expired, do not open
or use again - call the EMP.
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MERCURY
Broken mercury-thermometers must be
put into a jar or other screw top container. Mercury spills should
be checked by the Industrial Hygiene Program to establish that
mercury
vapors are not present. Clean up materials from mercury spills
must
be containerized, labeled and disposed of as hazardous waste. Consult
EHS for advice on how to perform these steps safely.
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CYANIDE, SULFIDE, ARSENIC, LEAD, HEAVY
METALS
Cyanide compounds, arsenic, lead, and heavy metal wastes should
be placed in tightly sealed containers and labeled prior to disposal
by the EMP. Cyanide and Sulfide compounds should not be stored
near
acids.
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ALKALI METALS
Alkali metals such as sodium, lithium, and potassium must be placed
in a suitable container, covered with mineral oil, labeled properly,
and sealed so that there is no possibility of their coming in contact
with water, prior to disposal by the EMP.
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PYROPHORIC METALS
Pyrophoric metals such as magnesium, strontium, thorium, and zirconium,
and other pyrophoric chips and fine powders must be placed in a
metal container, sealed tightly, and labeled prior to disposal by
the EMP.
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LARGE QUANTITIES
Large quantities of waste chemicals to be removed from a laboratory
may require that the department be financially responsible for the
disposal. Some examples are the clean-out of a laboratory of old
reagents and chemicals, waste chemicals to be pumped out of a collection
or storage tank, gas cylinders, and potentially explosive expired
materials. Contact the EMP for assistance.
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GAS CYLINDERS
Gas cylinders should be returned to BOC Gases (Ext. 3-4761). Non-returnable
lecture bottles should be avoided. Departments / Lab groups will
be financially responsible for the disposal of non-returnable cylinders.
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CONTROLLED DRUGS
Controlled drugs to be disposed of as waste must not be sent to
the waste chemical storage area. The handling, records, and disposal
of controlled drugs are the responsibility of the department involved
operating within the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Regulations.
You may contact EMP for assistance.
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RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL Radioactive
material disposal is handled in accordance with procedures established
by the Radiation Protection Program (2-3477). Any potentially radioactive
material, including all scintillation fluids (new or used), must
be checked by RPP.
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CHEMICALLY CONTAMINATED SHARPS
Sharps contaminated with hazardous materials must be placed in a
puncture proof container and sealed with a screw-on cap. The container
must be labeled as hazardous waste, with the associated chemicals
identified. Contact EMP for disposal.
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PCBs
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) - Capacitors, transformers, equipment
and oil that contain or potentially contain PCBs must be discussed
with EMP to arrange for disposal.
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REACTIVE WASTES
Reactive materials are capable of violent or explosive decomposition
(e.g., lethal shock-wave, extreme heat, flame or explosive gas).
Special care must be observed when handling these materials and
wastes. Precautions regarding shock, heat, friction, flame, static
discharge, elevated temperatures or any reaction initiating event
must be implemented. Contact EMP for details.
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COLD STORED WASTE
Any chemical declared as waste stored in a cold environment must
be left in a hood at room temperature for 24 hours before hazardous
waste pickup. If this would potentially cause the material to become
unstable contact the EMP.
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UNKNOWN WASTE CHEMICALS
Unknown waste are not accepted for disposal. It is the responsibility
of the generator to identify all chemicals. This may require polling
laboratory personnel, students and faculty members to ascertain
the owner of such unknown waste and its identity. It must be constantly
emphasized to researchers that they identify and label all wastes
and project products. Contact the EMP with any questions, or if
the identity of the waste cannot be ascertained. In situations
where
the waste is truly unknown, the DLC will be financially responsible
for testing services to characterize the waste prior to disposal.
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