# Presentation: 235716

## Characterization and Consolidation of Laboratory Wastes

- The DOT Lab Pack Regulations
- 49 CFR 173.12(b)

## Objectives

**	****The participant will be able to explain;**
- The DOT definition of a lab pack
- Acidic and basic compounds
- Materials prohibited as lab packs
- Proper physical packaging of lab packs

## DOT vs. EPA

**DOT addresses how to package and transport a lab pack**
- 49 CFR 173.12(b)
**EPA addresses how to dispose of a lab pack**
- 40 CFR 268.42(c)

## DOT Lab Pack Definition

**Found under 49 CFR 173.12(b)**
**Only applies to wastes that are**
- 	**3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 6.1, 8 or 9**
**“...****two or more chemically compatible waste materials in the same hazard class are packaged in the same outside packaging.”**

## DOT Hazard Classes

**	****3 ****	****– Flammable Liquids**
**	****4.1****	****– Flammable Solids**
**	****4.2****	****– Spontaneously Combustible**
**	****4.3****	****– Dangerous When Wet**
**	****5.1****	****– Oxidizers**
**	****6.1****	****– Toxic Materials**
**	****8****	****– Corrosive Materials**
**	****9****	****– Miscellaneous**

## DOT Hazard Class Determination

**How do we determine the hazards of a chemical?**
- Chemistry knowledge
- DOT literature
- Chemical dictionary
- NIOSH Pocketguide
- MSDS
- Aldrich literature
- Clean Harbors Tech Services Helpline
- Field testing (if chemical is unknown)

## DOT Hazard Class Determination

**	****Hexane**
- The first ten hydrocarbons are all flammable gases or liquids (methane to decane)
- Chemical dictionary says it is a liquid with a flashpoint of -9oF
- DOT classifies a flammable liquid as any liquid with a flash point no greater then 140oF.
- No literature identifying hexane as toxic, corrosive, explosive, radioactive, etc.
- DOT specifically lists hexane as a flammable liquid

## DOT Hazard Class Determination

**	****Sulfuric Acid**
- Chemical dictionary says it is a liquid that can corrode steel and tissue.
- The label on the bottle may say “Warning, Corrosive to Tissue”.
- DOT classifies a corrosive as any material which can corrode steel, tissue or aluminum.
- No literature identifying sulfuric acid as toxic, flammable, explosive, radioactive, etc.
- DOT specifically lists sulfuric acid as corrosive

## DOT Hazard Class Determination

**	****Sodium-Potassium Alloy (NaK)**
- Chemical dictionary says it is highly water reactive.
- MSDS says it is water reactive.
- Aldrich catalogue says it is water reactive and corrosive to tissue.
- No literature identifying NaK as flammable liquid, toxic, corrosive (by DOT definition), explosive, radioactive, etc.
- DOT classifies a water reactive material as any material that produces flammable gas when exposed to water.
- DOT specifically lists NaK as a water reactive substance.

## Lab Pack Definition

- 	**Outer Containers**
- UN1A2 (open top steel drums)
- UN1B2 (open top aluminum drums)
- UN1D (plywood drums)_[ ](http://www.questarusa.com/drums/fiber.htm)_
- UN1G (fiber drums)
- UN1H2 (open top plastic drums)

- Drums can be of any size.

## Lab Pack Definition

**Lab Pack Definition**

- 	**Inner Containers**
- Plastic, not exceeding 5.3 gallons (20 liters)
- Metal, not exceeding 5.3 gallons (20 liters)
- Glass, not exceeding 1 gallon (4 liters)

## Lab Pack Definition

**All containers must be packed with an absorbent that is chemically compatible.**
**Maximum gross weight is 452 pounds (205 kilos).**
**Each container may contain only one class of hazardous material.**

## Chemically Compatible Absorbent

**Vermiculite**
- Light, non-reactive, cheap
**Absorbent Clay**
- Heavy, non-reactive, very absorbent
**Polysorb**
- Only for hydrofluoric acid, expensive

## Maximum Weight 452 Pounds

**The rule of thumb is nothing heavier than****50 pounds each**
**Don’t put anything in the drum you can’t take out**

## Only One Primary Hazard Class Per Container

**Everything in the drum must be the same primary hazard.**
**How do you determine primary hazard?**

| Symbols | Hazardous materials descriptions and proper shipping names | Hazard class or division |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | 2 | 3 |
|  | Acetone | 3 |
|  | Acetic acid, glacial or Acetic acid solution, with more than 80 percent acid by mass | 8 |
|  | Chloroform | 6.1 |
|  | Hydrochloric acid | 8 |

## Only One Primary Hazard Class Per Container

**	****Acetone is 3**
**	****Benzene is 3**
**	****Toluene is 3**
**	****Butyronitrile is 3, 6.1**
**	****Bromoacetone is 6.1, 3**

- These all have the same primary hazard class.  They can go in the drum together.

- Yes, this is flammable, but the _primary hazard_ is toxic, thus it can not go in the same drum.

## Only One Primary Hazard Class Per Container

**	****Ethyl bromoacetate is 6.1, 3**
**	****Ethyl bromide is 6.1**
**	****Ethyl chloroacetate is 6.1, 3**
**	****Ethyl butyrate is 3**

- Only these three go together.

**This must go by itself.**

## Only One Primary Hazard Class Per Container

**	****The primary hazard class requirement allows easy selection of proper shipping descriptions.**
- 	Acetone is 3
- 	Benzene is 3
- 	Toluene is 3
- 	Hexane is 3

**Flammable liquid, n.o.s., 3, UN1993, II**

## Only One Primary Hazard Class Per Container

**	****The primary hazard class requirement allows easy selection of proper shipping descriptions.**
- 	Acetone is 3
- 	Benzene is 3
- 	Toluene is 3
- 	Isobutyryl chloride is 3, 6.1

**Flammable liquids, toxic, n.o.s., 3(6.1), UN1992, II**

## Chemical Compatibility

**Acids and bases are both hazard class 8.  Can I pack them into the same drum?**
**They may both be class 8, but there are big differences between acids and bases.**

**H****2****SO****4**

**HCl**

**H****3****PO****4**

**NH****4****OH**

**LiOH**

**HOCH****2****CH****2****NH****2**

## Chemical Compatibility

**	****Acid**
- pH less than 7
- Turns litmus red
- Sour taste
- Attacks tissue
- Attacks metal

**	****Base (caustic, alkaline)**
- pH greater than 7
- Turns litmus blue
- Bitter taste
- Attacks tissue

## Chemical Compatibility

**	****Acids and bases will react with one another to form salt and water.  However, this reaction can be very violent.  They are both class 8, but must be packed separately.**

**HCl + NaOH           NaCl + H****2****O **

## Chemical Compatibility

**	****Besides acids and bases, there are other materials that are the same hazard class, but are incompatible with one another.  **

## Chemical Compatibility

**	****Some inorganic oxidizers can react with organic oxidizers.  They are incompatible, so they must be packed separately.**
**	**

- Calcium hypochlorite can react with Trichloro-s-triazinetrione

- Inorganic

- Organic

## Chemical Compatibility

**	****Furthermore, when addressing the compatibility issue, we need to look at subsidiary hazards.**

**Glacial Acetic Acid**

**Nitrating Acid Mixtures**

- Hazard class 8, 3

- Hazard class 8, 5.1

**3 + 5.1 = **

- For safety, these can’t go in the same drum.

## Prohibited Materials

**The following materials may not be lab packed**
- PIH materials
- 6.1, PGI materials
- 4.2, PGI materials
- Chloric acid
- Oleum (fuming sulfuric acid)
- Gases (2.1, 2.2 & 2.3) and Organic Peroxides (5.2) are not lab packs

## Prohibited Materials

**PIH Materials (Inhalation Hazards)**
- Bromine
- Nitric acid, red fuming
- Chloroacetonitrile
- Titanium tetrachloride
- Nickel carbonyl
- Trichloroacetyl chloride

## Prohibited Materials

**6.1, PGI Materials**
- Allylamine
- Chloropicrin
- Sodium cyanide
- Methylhydrazine
- Phenyl mercaptan
- Potassium fluoroacetate

## Prohibited Materials

**4.2, PGI Materials**
- Aluminum alkyls
- tert-Butyl hypochlorite
- Phosphorus, white dry
- Pentaborane

## Prohibited Materials

**Chloric Acid**
- 5.1
- PGII
**Oleum**
- 8, 6.1
- PGI
- PIH- Zone B

## Prohibited Materials

**	****Gases (2.1, 2.2, 2.3)**
- Must be shipped individually or
- Shipped with a special permit
**	****Organic Peroxides (5.2)**
- Always have to be packaged individually

## Physically Packing Drums

**	****Okay, we know what can and can not be packed together.  **
**	****Now, how do we actually pack the drum?**

**3, 6.1**

**3, 6.1**

**3**

**3**

## First, segregate the chemicals to be packed together.

## Once segregated, we know how many and what size drums we will need.

## Packing Drums

**Start with a couple inches of absorbent (verm) on the bottom of the drum.**

## Packing Drums

**Place bottom layer of containers in drum.  Leave space between them.**

**3, 6.1**

**3, 6.1**

**3, 6.1**

- All inner containers must be closed, not leaking, not reacting and packed with closures facing up.

## Packing Drums

**Place verm between and completely covering containers.**

**3, 6.1**

**3, 6.1**

**3, 6.1**

## Packing Drums

**Add second level of containers.**

**3, 6.1**

**3, 6.1**

**3, 6.1**

**3**

**3**

**3**

**3, 6.1**

- All inner containers must be closed, not leaking, not reacting and packed with closures facing up.

## Packing Drums

**Add second level of verm.**

**3, 6.1**

**3, 6.1**

**3, 6.1**

**3**

**3**

**3**

**3, 6.1**

## Packing Drums

**Add third level of containers.**

**3, 6.1**

**3, 6.1**

**3, 6.1**

**3**

**3**

**3**

**3, 6.1**

**3, 6.1**

**3, 6.1**

**3**

- All inner containers must be closed, not leaking, not reacting and packed with closures facing up.

## Packing Drums

**Top off with verm.  Shake drum to allow verm to settle.  Then top off with verm again.**

**3, 6.1**

**3, 6.1**

**3, 6.1**

**3**

**3**

**3**

**3, 6.1**

**3, 6.1**

**3, 6.1**

**3**

## Packing Drums

**3, 6.1**

**3, 6.1**

**3, 6.1**

**3**

**3**

**3**

**3, 6.1**

**3, 6.1**

**3, 6.1**

**3**

- Select Shipping Description:

- Everything in the drum is flammable, and some have a subsidiary hazard of toxic.

**Flammable liquids, toxic, n.o.s.**

## “Waste” in Name

**3, 6.1**

**3, 6.1**

**3, 6.1**

**3**

**3**

**3**

**3, 6.1**

**3, 6.1**

**3, 6.1**

**3**

- If any RCRA codes are assigned to an inner container, the drum is classified as hazardous waste and must be shipped on a manifest.

**Waste Flammable liquids, toxic, n.o.s.**

- D001, D018

- D001, D035

- D001, U002

- D001

- D001

- D001, D018

- U220

- D001

- D001, D004, D008

- D001, D043

- If a RCRA waste must be shipped on a manifest, “Waste” must precede the shipping description.

## Labeling and Marking Lab Packs

**Waste Flammable liquids, toxic, n.o.s., 3 (6.1), UN1992, PGII**

**Content List Enclosed**

**Please Note: Orientation marking,        , must be on container twice.  It is required for all containers holding inner bottles of liquids (lab packs).**

**Marking**

**Label**

## Example

- A client has the following materials for disposal.

- Benzene

- Sulfuric Acid

- Toluene

- Hydrochloric Acid

- Lead Nitrate

- First, segregate the materials to be packed together.

- Phosphoric Acid

## Example

- Benzene

- Sulfuric Acid

- Toluene

- Hydrochloric Acid

- Lead Nitrate

**As you see, we have: corrosives (acids), flammable liquids, and an oxidizer.**

- Phosphoric Acid

- 3

- 8A

- 3

- 8A

- 5.1, 6.1

- 8A

## Example

- Benzene

- Sulfuric Acid

- Toluene

- Hydrochloric Acid

- Lead Nitrate

- Phosphoric Acid

- Oxidizer (5.1, 6.1)

- Flammable Liquids (3)

- Inorganic Acids (8)

**After segregation, we can pack containers and select a shipping description from the primary hazards.**

## Drum 1

**Drum 1**

- Benzene

- Toluene

- D001, D018

- D001, F005

- Shipping Description:
- Waste Flammable liquids, n.o.s., (Benzene, Toluene), 3, UN1993, II

## Drum 1

**Drum 1**

- Shipping Description:
- Waste Flammable liquids, n.o.s., (Benzene, Toluene), 3, UN1993, II

- Packing List Enclosed

## Drum 2

**Drum 2**

- D002

- D002

- Shipping Description:
- Waste Corrosive liquid, acidic, inorganic, n.o.s., (Sulfuric Acid, Phosphoric Acid), 8, UN3264, II

- Sulfuric Acid

- Hydrochloric Acid

- Phosphoric Acid

- D002

## Drum 2

**Drum 2**

- Shipping Description:
- Waste Corrosive liquid, acidic, inorganic, n.o.s., (Sulfuric Acid, Phosphoric Acid), 8, UN3264, II

- Packing List Enclosed

## Drum 3

- Shipping Description:
- Waste Lead nitrate, 5.1(6.1), UN1469, II

- Lead Nitrate

- D001, D008

## Drum 3

- Shipping Description:
- Waste Lead nitrate, 5.1(6.1), UN1469, II

- Packing List Enclosed

## What happens to our lab packs?

- Approximately 98% of our lab packs will be depacked and repacked for disposal.
- Ultimate disposal can be incineration, neutralization, landfill, fuels blending, recycling or deactivation.

## Reidsville, NC

- Lab packs are depacked and consolidated for disposal.

## Additions to DOT Lab Packs

**Additions to DOT Lab Packs**

**We not only have to pack according to DOT regulations, we must also follow...**

**RCRA Regulations**
**EPA says some materials may not be disposed of as lab packs.**

**Facility Restrictions**
**Facilities are permitted by what waste they can and can not accept.**

## For example...

**Sulfuric Acid**

**Hydrochloric Acid**

**Lead Acid Battery**

**8**

**8**

**8**

**The battery has a different disposal facility and a completely different disposal process.  The battery must be in a separate container.**

## For example...

**Lead Acid Battery**

**Batteries can have different treatment processes, thus different disposal sites.  These batteries must go in four separate drums.**

**Lithium Battery**

**Mercury Button Batteries**

**Alkaline Battery**

**D001, D003**

**D009**

**D002, D008**

**No RCRA Code**

## For example...

**Elemental Mercury**

**Hydrochloric Acid**

**8**

**8**

**Mercury also has a different disposal facility and a completely different disposal process.  Thus, it must be in a separate container.**

**Phosphoric Acid**

**8**

**These acids can be neutralized or incinerated, but the mercury must be recycled.**

## Segregation

**177.848(c)**
- Cyanides can not be transported with acids, if the mixture would evolve toxic gas, and
- 4.2s can not be transported with corrosive liquids
**As per 173.12(e)**
- The lab pack regulations can also get us around these restrictions, but you have to follow the packing requirements.

## Segregation

**As per 173.12(e)**
- The lab pack regulations can also get us around these restrictions, but you have to follow the packing requirements.
- The cyanides must be lab packed PGII or PGIII and the 4.2s must be lab packed PGII or PGIII.
- The corrosives must be non-bulk containers only.
- As well, the cyanides and 4.2s must be 4” off the floor of the vehicle and 4’ from the corrosives.

## Summary

**Only one hazard class per drum**
**All materials must be compatible**
**No leaking or open containers**
**No containers greater than**
- 5 gallons (plastic or metal)
- 1 gallon (glass)
**Watch out for prohibited materials**
**Use plenty of vermiculite**

## Questions