Abstract:
Methods and a system of using amino acids are disclosed as being useful in neutralizing aldehydes in waste. These neutralizers allow waste containing aldehyde to be more safely and cheaply disposed.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to neutralization of aldehyde for the purpose of complying with waste disposal requirements established by federal and state environmental protection agencies. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Waste disposal of aldehydes has become increasingly more difficult over the years. Treatment of wastes containing a certain amount of aldehyde prior to placement of the waste into the environment is required by law. The extent of such treatment may vary depending upon the location of where the waste is generated and the stringency of the environmental standards in that area. For example, waste containing aldehyde may be classified as a hazardous waste in California under 22 C AL . C ODE  R EGS .,  TTT . 22, §66696. Formaldehyde also may be considered a hazardous waste on the federal level under 40 C.F.R. §261.33(e) if it is a commercial chemical product (e.g., pure technical grade formaldehyde or formaldehyde is the sole active ingredient of the product that is to be disposed). Every state has an environmental regulation that is at least as stringent as this formaldehyde standard. State regulations also may be more stringent than this standard. 
     Additionally, facilities that discharge waste water to Publicly Owned Treatment Works (“POTW”) or directly into navigable waters may be required to meet standards that are established by a government agency. The standard may vary for each facility depending upon the quality of the receiving water and the concentration of aldehyde found in the waste water that is discharged into the environment by industry in that area. 
     Waste containing aldehyde may be generated by a variety of processes. For example, aldehydes such as gluteraldehyde and ortho-phthalaldehyde (“OPA”) are used in disinfecting medical devices or instruments. Waste containing aldehydes also may be generated by painting operations, stripping operations related to floors, or other manufacturing operations. 
     Typically, ammonia and sodium bisulfite (“SBS”) are used to treat many aldehydes. These compounds, however, have not proven to be effective at neutralizing OPA in accordance with environmental regulations. 
     A waste is classified as a hazardous waste in California if the waste being examined “has an acute aquatic 96-hour LC 50  less than 500 milligrams per liter (mg/L) when measured in soft water (total hardness 40 to 48 milligrams per liter of calcium carbonate) with fathead minnows . . . ” 22 C AL.  C ODE  R EGS., TIT.  22, §66696. LC 50  represents the concentration of a waste that is necessary to kill 50% of a particular animal exposed to a waste. 
     Note that a nonhazardous waste is generally considered by federal and state environmental agencies as a waste that does not satisfy the criteria set forth in defining a hazardous waste. Therefore, wastes generated in California that have a LC 50 &gt;500 mg/L are nonhazardous wastes and wastes having LC 50 &lt;500 mg/L are classified as hazardous. SBS, for example, in combination with OPA, produces a product that is generally considered hazardous under California environmental law as shown in Table 1 by LC 50  being consistently below 500 mg/L. For this study, CIDEX® OPA (commercially available from Advanced Sterilization Products®, a Johnson &amp; Johnson Company of Irvine, Calif.) was used to supply the OPA. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Neutralization Of OPA using SBS 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Sample Type 
                 OPA Content % 
                 LC 50  (mg/l) 
                 Comments 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Fresh CIDEX ® OPA 
                 0.301% 
                 31.1 mg/l 
                 1 
               
               
                 at 0.3% OPA 
               
               
                 Fresh CIDEX ® OPA 
                 0.158% 
                 50.4 mg/l 
                 2 
               
               
                 at 0.15% OPA 
               
               
                 Reuse CIDEX ® OPA 
                 0.295% 
                 31.1 mg/l 
                 3 
               
               
                 at 0.3% OPA 
               
               
                 SBS/OPA = 4:1 
                 N/A 
                 68.3 mg/l 
                 4 
               
               
                 SBS/OPA = 2:1 
                 N/A 
                 46.3 mg/l 
                 5 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 1. Fresh CIDEX ® OPA at 0.3% OPA was prepared by diluting the fresh Cidex OPA solution with deionized water.  
               
               
                 2. Fresh CIDEX ® OPA at 0.15% OPA was prepared by diluting the fresh Cidex OPA solution with deionized water to the level of 0.15% of OPA.  
               
               
                 3. Reuse of CIDEX ® OPA at 0.3% OPA was prepared by diluting the simulated reuse CIDEX ® OPA (14 days) with deionized water.  
               
               
                 4. SBS/OPA = 4:1, 10% SBS (10 ml) was combined with 100 ml of the fresh CIDEX ® OPA solution at 0.3% OPA (sample 1 above) at the SBS/OPA molar ratio of 4 to 1 for 30 minutes, and then the combined solution was used in the 22 CAL. CODE REGS., TIT. 22, § 66696 test for California.  
               
               
                 5. SBS/OPA = 2:1, 10% SBS (5 ml) was combined with or 100 ml of the fresh CIDEX ® OPA solution at 0.3% OPA (sample 1 above)at the SBS/OPA molar ratio of 2 to 1 for 30 minutes, and then the combined solution was used for the fish test in the 22 CAL. CODE REGS., TIT. 22, § 66696 test for California.  
               
             
          
         
       
     
     In addition to lacking the ability to effectively neutralize OPA, ammonia and SBS are problematic since they may be harmful to the environment. 
     FIG. 1 shows that when OPA is combined with SBS at the molar ratio of SBS/OPA=4:0 for 30 minutes, OPA has been neutralized since the OPA concentration is nondetectable in a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis method, which has detection limit for OPA at 10 ppm. However, the end-product is still classified as a hazardous waste as shown in Table 1. Therefore, even though the aldehyde is neutralized completely by a neutralizer, the end-product may still be a hazardous waste. 
     Although glycine has been shown to neutralize gluteraldehyde (see H. Y. Cheung &amp; M. R. W. Brown, Evaluation of Glycine As An Inactivator of Gluteraldehyde, 34 J. P HARM.  211 (1982)), the toxicity of reaction products of glycine has not been studied. Therefore, it is not known from this article whether the reaction product is nonhazardous. Accordingly, it is desirable to have a neutralizer that effectively neutralizes aldehydes in compliance with environmental standards and is less toxic to the environment. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A method and system for neutralizing aldehydes to form a nonhazardous product is disclosed. In one aspect, the invention provides a generally nonhazardous means for neutralizing aldehydes in accordance with applicable environmental regulations prior to disposal. Additionally, the neutralization is more effective and cost efficient than traditional chemical treatment methods of aldehydes. 
     In one embodiment, the neutralization method comprises combining an amino acid in solution or in solid form to a contained solution (or solid form) comprising an aldehyde to form an addition product and then combining the addition product for a predetermined time to yield a nonhazardous product. A system for neutralizing an aldehyde is also disclosed. 
     Additional features, embodiments, and benefits will be evident in view of the figures and detailed description presented below. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will become more thoroughly apparent from the following detailed description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 shows the ratio of SBS:OPA and the concentration of OPA remaining in solution after 30 minutes from combining the ingredients. 
     FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the amino acids neutralizing aldehydes. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a neutralizer particularly useful for the neutralization of waste containing aldehyde generated from sterilizing medical devices (e.g., scalpels, scissors, endoscopes, etc.) or laboratory equipment (e.g., glassware) that have been exposed to microorganisms such as bacteria. Sterilizing includes disinfecting medical devices. The neutralizer comprises an amino acid selected from amino acids having polar R groups, amino acids having non-polar R groups and amino acids with charged R groups. In one embodiment, the chemical neutralizer is selected from one or more of alanine, proline, amino-caproic acid, phenylalanine, tryptophan, methionine, glycine, serine, cycteine, tyrosine, lysine, arginine, glutamine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and histidine. 
     To neutralize aldehydes, the neutralizer in solution or in solid form may be added to waste water that is in a tank (e.g., a neutralization tank at a waste water treatment plant), or in a small container (e.g., a bucket) where aldehydes must be neutralized before they are placed into a sewer system that may discharge to a POTW or into navigable waters. Solids contaminated with aldehydes (e.g., dirt, rags, or gloves, etc.) may be neutralized by directly adding the neutralizer to the solids or by placing the solids into a container with the neutralizer and, optionally, water. 
     Amino acids are an improvement over the typical chemicals such as ammonia or sodium bisulfite used to neutralize aldehydes since amino acids quickly and effectively neutralize aldehydes to a level prescribed by federal and state environmental agencies. Amino acids are also less expensive than products such as ammonia and sodium bisulfite. 
     There are a variety of amino acids that are useful in neutralizing aldehydes. These amino acids include: 
     (1) Amino acids with apolar R groups (e.g., alanine, proline, amino-caproic acid, phenylalanine, tryptophan and methionine); 
     (2) Amino acids with polar R groups (e.g., glycine, serine, cysteine, tyrosine, and glutamine); 
     (3) Amino acids with charged R groups (e.g., aspartic acid, glutamic acid, lysine, arginine, and histidine); and, 
     (4) Peptides/polypeptides formed by any number or any type of amino acids and proteins. 
     In one embodiment, an amino group from an amino acid or proteins is able to react with an aldehyde group of aldehydes to produce N-substituted adducts as shown below.                           
     Table 2 shows the ratios of certain amino acids with a CIDEX® OPA solution and the time it takes the selected amino acids to neutralize OPA. CIDEX® OPA is used to disinfect medical devices. OPA is a dialdehyde. It is to be appreciated that the techniques described herein can be applied to most aldehydes present in a waste with the neutralization occuring, for example, according to the adduct formation described above for an aldehyde. Table 2 also shows the LC 50  results when CIDEX® OPA solution has been combined with an amino acid. In most cases, after one hour, the LC 50  of products generated from each of the reactions shown in Table 2 is greater than 500 mg/L which makes these wastes nonhazardous for toxicity as defined under California environmental law 22 C AL . C ODE  R EGS .,  TTT . 22, §66696. The waste comprising aldehyde has been effectively neutralized. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 LC 50  Results Performed In Accordance With 22 CAL. CODE REGS., TIT. 22, § 66696 
               
               
                 For CIDEX ® OPA Solution Combined With Amino Acids 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 LC 50  Neutralization Time 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                   
                 LC 50  results 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Weight Ratio 
                 1 hour after CIDEX ® 
                 LC 50  results 2 days 
               
               
                   
                 Molar Ratio 
                 CIDEX ® 
                 OPA solution 
                 after CIDEX ® OPA 
               
               
                   
                 OPA/Amino 
                 OPA Solution/ 
                 is first combined 
                 solution is first combined 
               
               
                 Example 
                 Acids 
                 Amino Acids 
                 with Amino Acids 
                 with Amino Acids 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 1 
                 OPA/glycine = 
                 200 g/1.2 g of 
                 &gt;1000 mg/L 
                 &gt;1000 mg/L-2000 mg/L 
               
               
                   
                 1:2 
                 glycine 
                 (See comment 1) 
               
               
                 2 
                 OPA/arginine = 
                 200 g/1.4 g of 
                  500 mg/L-1000 mg/L 
                 &gt;2000 mg/L 
               
               
                   
                 1:1 
                 arginine 
               
               
                 3 
                 OPA/lysine = 1:1 
                 200 g/1.46 g of 
                 100 mg/L-500 mg/L 
                 &gt;2000 mg/L 
               
               
                   
                   
                 lysine 
               
               
                 4 
                 OPA/ε-amino-n- 
                 200 g/2.1 g of 
                 1000 mg/L-2000 mg/L 
                 &gt;2000 mg/L 
               
               
                   
                 caproic acid = 1:2 
                 ε-amino-n-caproic 
               
               
                   
                   
                 acid 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Comment 1:  
               
               
                 This data was determined based upon 22 CAL. CODE REGS., TIT. 22, § 66696, 96 hours bioassay.  
               
               
                 All other data was determined based upon 22 CAL. CODE REGS., TIT. 22, § 66696, 48 hour range bioassay.  
               
             
          
         
       
     
     In Example 1, CIDEX® OPA solution was neutralized with glycine at the molar ratio of 1:2 of OPA to glycine for one hour. The LC 50  for the neutralization product is&gt;1000 mg/L, making the product nonhazardous under 22 C AL . C ODE  R EGS .,  TTT . 22, §66696. 
     In Example 2, CIDEX® OPA solution was neutralized with arginine at a molar ratio of 1:1 of OPA to arginine for one hour. The LC 50  for the neutralization product is&gt;500 mg/L, making the product nonhazardous under 22 C AL.  C ODE  R EGS., TIT.  22, §66696. 
     In Example 3, CIDEX® OPA solution was neutralized with lysine at the molar ratio of 1:1 of OPA to lysine for two (2) days. The LC 50  for the neutralization product is&gt;2000 mg/L, making the product nonhazardous under 22 C AL.  C ODE  R EGS., TIT.  22, §66696. 
     In Example 4, CIDEX® OPA solution was neutralized with ε-amino-n-caproic acid for one hour. The LC 50  for the neutralization product is&gt;1000 mg/L, which is nonhazardous under 22 C AL.  C ODE  R EGS., TIT.  22, §66696. The molar ratio used is 1:2 of OPA to ε-amino-n-caproic acid. The above examples demonstrate that the amino acids used with the aldehyde (e.g., OPA) effectively neutralize the aldehyde to acceptable levels in accordance with the California hazardous waste rule. As shown above, glycine, lysine, arginine, and ε-amino-n-caproic acid are particularly useful at neutralizing aldehydes, but other amino acids are also effective. Glycine, one example of the neutralizer, is preferred as a neutralizer for CIDEX® OPA Solution. A minimum of 25 g of glycine (free base) neutralizer and one hour neutralization time should be used to neutralize one gallon of CIDEX® OPA Solution. It should be noted that the invention described herein is not limited to amino acids in a free base form; rather, the amino acid may be in any physical form. 
     Table 3 shows the color change and the peak retention time (RT) change observed in a High Performance Liquid Chromatogram (HPLC) analysis after the CIDEX® OPA solution was combined with amino acids. Colored products from the reaction product may act as an indicator of the effectiveness of the neutralizer. Darker colors such as black, orange, brown, or dark yellow typically indicate that the aldehyde has been neutralized to the levels established as nonhazardous for the current California regulations. 
     Additionally, as shown in Table 3, the color of the mixture of OPA and the particular amino acid illustrates that neutralization of aldehydes occurs almost immediately when the amino acids are combined with aldehydes. The peak retention time in Table 3 shows the time when the molecule is beginning to change. The peak retention time for OPA is at approximately 1.812 minutes. As shown in Table 3, the OPA peak disappeared while some new peaks appeared after the two components were combined, indicating the OPA was reacting with the amino acids and the reaction products were formed. For example, after OPA is combined with glycine for fifteen minutes, the peak retention time is shown at 0.680 and 0.913 minutes which is different from the peak retention time of OPA that has a peak retention time of 1.812 minutes. These differences of peak retention times in glycine and OPA compared to OPA without an amino acid show that the amino acid is reacting with the OPA. When the peak RT is no longer significantly changing, the reaction is complete. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Color Changes and Peak Retention Time (RT) of CIDEX ® OPA Solution Reaction with Amino Acids 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 Example 1 
                   
                 Example 2 
                   
                 Example 3 
                   
                 Example 4 
               
               
                   
                   
                 OPA/glycine = 
                   
                 OPA/arginine = 
                   
                 OPA/lysine = 
                   
                 OPA/ε-amino-n- 
               
               
                   
                 OPA 
                 1:2 
                   
                 1:1 
                   
                 1:1 
                   
                 caproic acid = 1:2 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Neutralization 
                 Peak RT 
                   
                 Peak RT 
                   
                   
                 Peak RT 
                   
                   
                 Peak RT 
                   
                   
                 Peak RT 
               
               
                 Time 
                 (min) 
                 Color 
                 (min) 
                   
                 Color 
                 (min) 
                   
                 Color 
                 (min) 
                   
                 Color 
                 (min) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Upon 
                 1.812 
                 Red 
                 0.693 
                   
                 Pink to 
                 1.053 
                   
                 Light 
                 0.9611 
                   
                 Light 
                 0.730 
               
               
                 combining 
                   
                 Yellow 
                 1.010 
                   
                 Orange 
                 1.203 
                   
                 Yellow 
                 1.047 
                   
                 Yellow 
                 1.097 
               
               
                 components 
                   
                   
                 1.677 
                   
                   
                 1.703 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Orange 
                 1.797 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 1.937 
               
               
                 15 min. 
                   
                 Yellow 
                 0.680 
                   
                 Orange 
                 1.013 
                   
                 Yellow 
                 0.943 
                   
                 Dark 
                 0.727 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Black 
                 0.913 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 1.110 
                   
                 precipitate 
                 0.942 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 (ppt) 
               
               
                 30 min. 
                   
                 Dark 
                 0.685 
                   
                 Orange 
                 1.023 
                   
                 Dark 
                 0.923 
                   
                 Dark ppt 
                 0.725 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Brown 
                 0.918 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Yellow 
                   
                   
                   
                 0.942 
               
               
                 45 min. 
                   
                 Dark 
                 0.608 
                   
                 Orange 
                 1.017 
                   
                 Dark 
                 0.918 
                   
                 Dark ppt 
                 0.950 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Brown 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Yellow 
               
               
                 60 min. 
                   
                 Black 
                 0.603 
                   
                 Orange 
                 1.027 
                   
                 Dark 
                 0.913 
                   
                 Dark ppt 
                 0.963 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Brown 
                   
                   
                 Yellow 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Moreover, agitating or stirring the solution increases the rates of neutralization of the aldehydes. 
     Table 4 shows various molar ratios of amino acids used to neutralize OPA wherein the OPA solution used contains˜0.55% OPA. In general, measurable neutralization begins after thirty minutes without physically stirring the solution. After one hour, most of the waste containing OPA has been neutralized in accordance with 22 C AL.  C ODE  R EGS., TIT.  22, §66696. Neutralization occurs at a faster rate if a higher concentration of amino acids is used and/or the solution is agitated. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 4 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Neutralization Summary of Cidex ® OPA Solution with Amino Acids 
               
               
                 (LC 50  with Fathead Minnow) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 OPA/Amino 
                   
               
               
                 Acids Molar 
                 Time 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Ratio 
                 5 min. 
                 15 min. 
                 30 min. 
                 1 hour 
                 2 days 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 OPA/L-Arginine, 
                 &lt;100 
                 &lt;100 
                 &lt;100 
                 Not 
                 Not 
               
               
                 (C 6 H 14 N 4 O 2 ) = 
                 mg/L 
                 mg/L 
                 mg/L 
                 avail- 
                 avail- 
               
               
                 4:1 
                   
                   
                   
                 able 
                 able 
               
               
                 OPA/L-Arginine, 
                 Not 
                 Not 
                 Not 
                 500 mg/L- 
                 &gt;2000 
               
               
                 (C 6 H 14 N 4 O 2 ) = 
                 avail- 
                 avail- 
                 avail- 
                 1000 mg/L 
                 mg/L 
               
               
                 1:1 
                 able 
                 able 
                 able 
               
               
                 OPA/ε-Amino-n- 
                 &lt;100 
                 &lt;100 
                 100- 
                 Not 
                 Not 
               
               
                 Caprioc Acid, 
                 mg/L 
                 mg/L 
                 500 
                 avail- 
                 avail- 
               
               
                 (C 6 H 13 NO 2 ) = 
                   
                   
                 mg/L 
                 able 
                 able 
               
               
                 1:1 
               
               
                 OPA/ε-Amino-n- 
                 Not 
                 Not 
                 Not 
                 1000 mg/L- 
                 &gt;2000 
               
               
                 Caprioc Acid, 
                 avail- 
                 avail- 
                 avail- 
                 2000 mg/L 
                 mg/L 
               
               
                 (C 6 H 13 NO 2 ) = 
                 able 
                 able 
                 able 
               
               
                 1:2 
               
               
                 OPA/Glycine 
                 Not 
                 Not 
                 Not 
                 &gt;1000 mg/L 
                 1000 
               
               
                 (C 2 H 5 NO 2 ) = 
                 avail- 
                 avail- 
                 avail- 
                   
                 mg/L- 
               
               
                 1:2 
                 able 
                 able 
                 able 
                   
                 2000 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 mg/L 
               
               
                 OPA/Glycine 
                 &lt;100 
                 &lt;100 
                 100- 
                 Not 
                 Not 
               
               
                 (C 2 H 5 NO 2 ) = 
                 mg/L 
                 mg/L 
                 500 
                 avail- 
                 avail- 
               
               
                 1:4 
                   
                   
                 mg/L 
                 able 
                 able 
               
               
                 OPA/L-Lysine 
                 Not 
                 Not 
                 Not 
                 100 mg/L- 
                 &gt;2000 
               
               
                 (Acetic Acid) 
                 avail- 
                 avail- 
                 avail- 
                 500 mg/L 
                 mg/L 
               
               
                 (C 6 H 14 N 2 O 2 . 
                 able 
                 able 
                 able 
               
               
                 C 2 H 4 O 2 ) = 1:1 
               
               
                 OPA/L-Lysine 
                 &lt;100 
                 ˜100 
                 100- 
                 Not 
                 Not 
               
               
                 (Acetic Acid) 
                 mg/L 
                 mg/L 
                 500 
                 avail- 
                 avail- 
               
               
                 (C 6 H 14 N 2 O 2 . 
                   
                   
                 mg/L 
                 able 
                 able 
               
               
                 C 2 H 4 O 2 ) = 1:2 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     As shown in Table 5, glycine is an effective neutralizer for glutaraldehyde solution. Combining 0.4 mole of glycine with 1 mole of glutaraldehyde for 30 minutes can provide a nonhazardous product as shown by an LC 50  result that is greater than the regulatory level of 500 mg/l. In this study, approximately 2.4% by weight of glutaraldehyde in buffered water solution was used. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 5 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Fathead Minnow Test Results For Glutaraldehyde Solutions Neutralized With Glycine 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Glutaraldehyde/ 
                 2.4% 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Glycine Molar 
                 Glutaraldehyde 
                   
                 % Glycine 
               
               
                 Ratio 
                 Solution (g) 
                 Glycine (g) 
                 in solution 
                 Time 
                 LC 50   
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Glutaraldehyde/ 
                 200 
                 1.4 
                 0.7 
                 30 
                 minute 
                 &gt;2000 
               
               
                 Glycine = 1:0.4 
               
               
                 Glutaraldehyde/ 
                 200 
                 1.4 
                 0.7 
                 1 
                 hour 
                 &gt;2000 
               
               
                 Glycine = 1:0.4 
               
               
                 Glutaraldehyde/ 
                 200 
                 2.8 
                 1.4 
                 30 
                 minutes 
                 &gt;2000 
               
               
                 Glycine = 1:0.77 
               
               
                 Glutaraldehyde/ 
                 200 
                 2.8 
                 1.4 
                 1 
                 hour 
                 &gt;2000 
               
               
                 Glycine = 1:0.77 
               
               
                 Glutaraldehyde/ 
                 200 
                 5.6 
                 2.7 
                 30 
                 minutes 
                 &gt;2000 
               
               
                 Glycine = 1:1.5 
               
               
                 Glutaraldehyde/ 
                 200 
                 5.6 
                 2.7 
                 1 
                 hour 
                 &gt;2000 
               
               
                 Glycine = 1:1.5 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Table 6 shows that glycine may neutralize formaldehyde in accordance with environmental regulations such as 22 C AL.  C ODE  R EGS., TIT.  22, §66696. In this study, approximately 2.5% by weight of formaldehyde in water was used. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 6 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 LC 50  Results Performed In Accordance With 22 CAL. CODE REGS., TIT. 22, § 66696 
               
               
                 For Formaldehyde With Glycine 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Formaldehyde/ 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Glycine Molar 
                 Formaldehyde 
                 Glycine 
                 % Glycine in 
               
               
                 Ratio 
                 solution (g) 
                 (g) 
                 mixed solution 
                 Mixing Time 
                 LC 50   
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Formaldehyde/ 
                 180 
                 11.25 
                 5.9 
                 30 
                 minutes 
                 &gt;500-1000 
               
               
                 Glycine Molar 
               
               
                 Ratio = 1:1 
               
               
                 Formaldehyde/ 
                 180 
                 11.25 
                 5.9 
                 1 
                 hour 
                 &gt;500-1000 
               
               
                 Glycine Molar 
               
               
                 Ratio = 1:1 
               
               
                 Formaldehyde/ 
                 180 
                 45 
                 24 
                 30 
                 minutes 
                 &gt;500-1000 
               
               
                 Glycine Molar 
               
               
                 Ratio = 1:4 
               
               
                 Formaldehyde/ 
                 180 
                 45 
                 24 
                 1 
                 hour 
                 &gt;500-1000 
               
               
                 Glycine Molar 
               
               
                 Ratio = 1:4 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Based upon the results shown in Table 6, glycine is capable of neutralizing formaldehyde to a level in which the waste product is considered nonhazardous. 
     FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of a batch system of the invention wherein a waste containing aldehydes is pumped into a treatment tank and the neutralizer is pumped into the same tank. The aldehyde and neutralizer also may be gravity fed into the treatment tank. Valves are used to meter waste aldehyde and amino acid into the treatment tank. The treatment tank has ports to receive the waste aldehyde and the amino acid. The treatment tank has mixing pads at the bottom of the tank. Although mixing, agitating, or stirring is not required for neutralization to occur, mixing the waste increases the rate of neutralization of the waste. A variety of other methods may be used that are known in the art for mixing the contents of the tank. Valves are used to meter waste aldehyde and amino acid into the treatment tank. The treatment tank has ports to receive the waste aldehyde and the amino acid. The amount of neutralizer added to the treatment tank depends upon the amount of aldehydes that must be neutralized to make the contents of the treatment tank nonhazardous. Methods for determining the concentration of a chemical compound in a waste that must be neutralized are generally known. For example, a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer, HPLC or other device could be used to determine the amount of aldehyde contained in the waste stream. After determining the amount of waste and concentration of aldehydes to be neutralized, the amount of neutralizer needed for neutralization may be determined by, for example, the molar ratios of amino acid to aldehyde disclosed herein. Depending upon the amino acid used as the neutralizer, the molar ratio may range from one mole of aldehyde to moles of neutralizer in the range of one to four moles or more. The preferred amount of neutralizer depends on several factors such as the cost of the neutralizer needed to neutralize the waste stream and the amount of time that a company chooses to spend neutralizing the waste stream. The amount of neutralizer added may be metered by a controller that also controls the amount of aldehyde and amino acid added to the treatment tank. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, two containers or tanks are used in place of three tanks. Instead of the aldehydes and amino acid being combined into a third tank, the amino acid is added to the container holding the aldehyde. In another embodiment, an aldehyde is added to the container holding the amino acid. Neutralization begins once the aldehyde and amino acid are combined. 
     The principles described with respect to the embodiment of a batch system may be incorporated into a continuous flow system. For example, a predetermined amount of a neutralizer may be combined with a waste stream and the combination allowed to interact for a predetermined time (e.g., determined by a suitable down stream pipe length or mixing vessel) to effectively neutralize the waste and render the waste non-hazardous. In the preceding detailed description, the invention is described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.