Where does it come from? Main sources Wood product manufacturing and other CCA timber preservation processes. How is it managed? Main fates Chemical/ physical treatment to immobilise the hazard, then the stabilised material is usually disposed of in hazardous waste landfill. Some reuse and recycling of CCA timber itself occurs and significant stockpiling may occur1. How much is generated in Australia? Volume score (% of national tonnes in 2013) <1% 1 – 5% 5 – 10% 10 – 20% ≥ 20% 0.01% Includes CCA chemical wastes – does not include intact CCA treated timber Waste arising in 2013 (tonnes) TOTAL: 570 ACT: 0 NSW: 9 NT: 0 Qld: 206 SA: 304 Tas: 0 Vic: 31 WA: 20 Potential health impacts Overview Chromium (VI), as the potential worst case constituent of CCA treatment wastes, has been chosen to reference specific health impacts for this waste. The most common hazards of human exposure to Cr (VI) compounds are irritation of the skin, eyes, mouth, throat, lungs and intestines. Acute poisoning, through inhalation, can result in death. Cr (VI) is carcinogenic via inhalation. Acute toxicity Extreme: Very toxic and may be fatal by inhalation. Toxic if swallowed or in contact with skin – contact causes severe skin burns and allergic reactions and severe eye damage. Chronic toxicity Low: May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure if inhaled, but the consequences of acute effects will be most severe. On the skin, chromic acid can cause chronic ulcers known as ‘chrome holes’. Carcinogenicity High: Classified as “sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in humans” and inhaled hexavalent chromium is a known human carcinogen. Particularly with respect to lung cancer. Reproductive toxicity High: Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child and may cause genetic defects. Workplace health & safety impacts Exposure to CCA impregnation solutions could arise as the result of splashes or as contaminated dust or wood fragments/ shavings. Occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium has been associated with lung cancer and arsenic is also classed as a human carcinogen. Population scale impacts There has been ongoing media and public interest in the use of CCA-treated timber and the possible health risks it may present, particularly when used in settings where children
Steels in Cyanide Salt Bath Heat Treatment Process, Proceedings of the International MultiConferenceof Engineers and Computer Scientists 2011Vol II, IMECS 2011. Waste mineral oils unfit for their originally intended use Waste name: Waste mineral oils unfit for their originally intended use Basel waste category:Y8 Basel permit code: A3020 NEPM code: J100 What is it? Hazard score (0 – 6) Low Moderate Medium High Extreme 3.1 – 3.8 Description of the waste Waste mineral oils are used lubricating oils come from industrial and domestic vehicle engines and machinery, and can be reclaimed or recovered and recycled for other uses. Waste form Predominantly liquid but also includes oily rags (solid) and contaminated greases. Physical/ chemical description Liquid, black and viscous material with, petroleum odour. May present as solids in the form of oily rags or used oil filters. Why is it hazardous? Primary hazard H3: Flammable liquids The word ‘flammable’ has the same meaning as ‘inflammable’. Flammable liquids are liquids, or mixtures of liquids, or liquids containing solids in solution or suspension (for example, paints, varnishes, lacquers, etc., but not including substances or wastes otherwise classified on account of their dangerous characteristics) which give off flammable vapour at temperatures of not more than 60.5°C, closed-cup test, or not more than 65.6°C, open-cup test. Secondary hazard ‘Spreading' potential to blanket environmental media, such as surface waters, when spilled, causing environmental impacts related to ‘oiling’ of animals and oxygen depletion of impacted waters. Other hazard(s) H11: Toxic (delayed or chronic) Substances or wastes which, if they are inhaled or ingested or if they penetrate the skin, may involve delayed or chronic effects, including carcinogenicity.
to their presence in diet. Acute toxicity Low: PCBs can produce skin pigmentation and affect liver function. Chronic toxicity High: May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure. Carcinogenicity Extreme: Listed as a likely carcinogen. Reproductive toxicity Low – medium: Possible reproductive toxin. Workplace health & safety impacts Personal protective equipment required. Population scale impacts No impact on broader population. PCBs may have been used as components of caulking compounds with subsequent slow release to the environment. This has been demonstrated in Europe but not in Australia. Potential environment impacts Overview Toxic to marine organisms and to other species who are exposed in the food chain. Acute ecotoxicity Extreme: PCBs are acutely toxic to aquatic organisms. Chronic ecotoxicity Extreme: PCBs are developmental and reproductive toxins in most animal species. Persistence Extreme: PCBs are persistent, with half-lives greater than 10 years. Bioaccumulation Extreme: PCBs are bioaccumulative and concentrations undergo biomagnification up the food chain. Where are the risks of impacts most likely? Generation Transport Storage Treatment Recovery Final disposal High Moderate Moderate Medium N/A Low Has anything happened before in Australia? Release to the environment before the impact of bans on the use of PCBs and the implementation of the PCB Management Plan have resulted in very low level contamination of the environment and contributions to the chemical body burden of Australians. The substance has a long half-life and so concentrations are decreasing slowly. What control measures are in place to Industry – systematic controls Industry has complied with the specifications of the PCB management plan for effective management and destruction of PCB wastes.
manage risks posed by this waste? Industry – exposure controls Personal protective equipment and waste-handling by licensed companies. Government PCBs are listed under the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants, to which Australia is a signatory. States and territories control the tracking and reporting of PCB waste under auspices of the national PCB Management Plan (1996). Community The PCB Management Plan was developed through consultation with representatives of environment groups, industries involved in the production, use and destruction of hazardous wastes, and governments. References Polychlorinated Biphenyls management Plan, revised 2003: States and territories control the tracking and reporting of PCB waste. For example, Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) management (EPA Victoria, 2009): . Waste tarry residues arising from refining, distillation and any pyrolytic treatment Waste name: Waste tarry residues arising from refining, distillation and any pyrolytic treatment Basel waste category:Y11 Basel permit code: A3190 NEPM code: J160 What is it? Hazard score (0 – 6) Low Moderate Medium High Extreme 3.9 -4.9 Description of the waste The waste consists of high-boiling material remaining after volatile substances have been removed. Waste form Viscous liquid or gummy solid. Physical/ chemical description The main components are high molecular weight hydrocarbons, often polymeric in nature, but oxygenated species may also be present and impurities such as black carbon and heavy metals may be present, together with compounds of sulphur and phosphorus. Why is it hazardous? Primary hazard H11: Toxic (delayed or chronic) Substances or wastes which, if they are inhaled or ingested or if they penetrate the skin, may involve delayed or chronic effects,
normally consist of stabilized emulsions of polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) in water, the polymer being derived from polyvinyl acetate. Why is it hazardous? Primary hazard H11: Toxic (delayed or chronic) Substances or wastes which, if they are inhaled or ingested or if they penetrate the skin, may involve delayed or chronic effects, including carcinogenicity. Secondary hazard H12: Ecotoxic Substances or wastes which if released present or may present immediate or delayed adverse impacts to the environment by means of bioaccumulation and/or toxic effects upon biotic systems. Other hazard(s) N/A N/A Main likely chemical contaminants The polymers are the main components of waste derived from manufacture and use of these products and they are non-hazardous. In some cases chemical additives may be present, such as flame retardants (PBDEs) or plasticizers (e.g. phthalate esters). Where does it come from? Main sources Some waste is generated at the site of production but since this is an economic loss the quantity is minimized by the normal industrial practices of Quality Control. Manufacturers of resins, latex, plasticizers, glues and adhesives are the main producers of this waste, along with major users of these products such as plastic product manufacturers, motor vehicle, boat and caravan manufacturers, other fibreglass product manufacturers and the construction industry to a small extent. How is it managed? Main fates Chemical/ physical treatment to immobilise the hazard (if required), then the stabilised material is usually disposed of in hazardous waste landfill. Some waste may undergo energy recovery through blending into waste-derived fuels. How much is generated in Australia? Volume score (% of national tonnes in 2013) <1% 1 – 5% 5 – 10% 10 – 20% ≥ 20% 0.07% Waste arising in 2013 (tonnes) TOTAL: 4,792 ACT: 7 NSW: 2,170 NT: 2 Qld: 881 SA: 442 Tas: 0 Vic: 447 WA: 843 Potential health impacts Overview The polymeric materials have very low toxicity mainly on account of their low solubility. Some monomers pose workplace hazards – methyl methacrylates, various isocyanates (components of
sludge but liquid in some cases. Physical/ chemical description Residues arising from industrial waste treatment/disposal operations This category contains a variety of waste residues in a variety of physical and chemical forms, sometimes as outputs of processes designed to reduce the hazard – either through volume reduction (such as incineration) or hazard amelioration (chemical/ physical treatment). These output residues may be of reduced hazard (compared to inputs) or increased hazard (such as a concentration process). Biosolids Biosolids may have their own distinctive odour depending on the type of treatment it has been though. Some biosolids have a stronger odour that may be offensive to some people, while most biosolids have a slightly musty, ammonia odour. Sulphur and ammonia compounds (both plant nutrients) in biosolids are normally the cause of these odours. Fly ash Fly ash is characterised by the fineness of its particles, as opposed to ‘bottom ash’ from combustion processes, which falls to the bottom of combustion chambers. Fly ash often contains hazardous materials such as heavy metals at low concentrations derived from their composition in input fuel – either as constituent of fine combustion particles or as gaseous combustion products themselves. The major constituents are crystalline silica and oxides of iron and calcium. Encapsulated, chemically-fixed, solidified or polymerised wastes These wastes are usually solid as the fixing matrix can be materials such as concrete, polymers or purified low hazard chemical compounds/ commodities. Why is it hazardous? Primary hazard H11: Toxic (delayed or chronic) Substances or wastes which, if they are inhaled or ingested or if they penetrate the skin, may involve delayed or chronic effects, including carcinogenicity. Secondary hazard H12: Ecotoxic Substances or wastes which if released present or may present immediate or delayed adverse impacts to the environment by means of bioaccumulation and/or toxic effects
upon biotic systems. Are biosolids hazardous? Biosolids is a special case. It is not a controlled waste under the NEPM and consequently is not tracked in all jurisdictions. However, because of the potential for contaminants such as heavy metals and other organic pollutants to be present, above criteria set to protect environmental and human health values, biosolids have been included in Australia’s annual hazardous waste reporting to the Basel Convention as a precaution. Biosolids guidelines exist in all jurisdictions that allow appropriate beneficial uses of biosolids matched to their inherent hazard (with respect to chemical contaminants such as heavy metals like cadmium, lead and mercury). While it is highly conservative to classify biosolids as hazardous waste, it is logical that those biosolids with concentrations of these pollutants above the highest classification levels outlined in biosolids guidelines may be deemed to be hazardous waste. A good analogy is that soils, if contaminated to the same extent, would be classified as contaminated soils (another controlled waste) in all jurisdictions in Australia. Main likely chemical contaminants Many organic pollutants, inorganic pollutants and heavy metals. Where does it come from? Main sources Residues arising from industrial waste treatment/disposal operations Chemical/ physical treatment plants, incineration, landfill leachate, wastewater treatment plants, fossil fuel, electricity supply, collieries, Defence, coal seam gas extraction, aluminium smelting, petroleum refining. Biosolids Wastewater treatment plants. Fly ash Incineration, meat processing, cement kilns, coal-fired power stations (despite the waste classification name), asphalt plants, iron and steel manufacturing and petroleum refining. Encapsulated, chemically-fixed, solidified or polymerised wastes Physical/ chemical treatment plants, petroleum refining, chemical manufacturing. How is it managed? Main fates Residues arising from industrial waste treatment/disposal operations Other chemical/ physical treatment to immobilise the hazard, then the stabilised material is usually disposed of in hazardous waste landfill.
lung and nasal sinus cancer. Shown to cause lung cancer in animals. Reproductive toxicity High: May cause harm to the unborn child. Workplace health & safety impacts Low use chemical/ waste generated in Australia. No specific workplace impacts known. Population scale impacts Low use chemical/ waste generated in Australia. No specific population scale impacts known. Potential environment impacts Overview Metal carbonyls such as nickel carbonyl are both acutely and chronically toxic to organisms in an aquatic environment. Acute ecotoxicity Extreme: Very toxic to aquatic organisms. Chronic ecotoxicity Extreme: May cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment. Persistence Low. Bioaccumulation Medium. Where are the risks of impacts most likely? Generation Transport Storage Treatment Recovery Final disposal High Medium Medium Medium Medium Low Has anything happened before in Australia? No evidence found of an Australian incident. What control measures are in place to manage risks posed by this waste? Industry – systematic controls Companies that handle metal carbonyls and their wastes are licensed by environmental regulators to control industrial processes and equipment so as to limit environmental emissions of these pollutants. Industry – exposure controls Potential industrial sources of metal carbonyl waste have strict emissions control and chemical handling equipment and systems in place. Additionally at-risk workers wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), particularly relating to restricting exposure to airborne sources of, and skin contact with, pollutants. Government State and territory governments regulate the management of hazardous waste in their respective jurisdictions in Australia. These place strict controls on the methods of transport, treatment and disposal of all hazardous wastes, including this waste, through licensing, tracking and transport accreditation requirements. Metal carbonyls are part of this hazardous waste control regime.
exposure. Carcinogenicity High: Possible carcinogen. Reproductive toxicity No information available. Workplace health & safety impacts Control of dusts containing beryllium. The eight hour time weighted workplace exposure limit is 0.002 mg/m3. Population scale impacts Beryllium is contained in manufactured equipment and may represent a hazard during assembly or disassembly, but the general population is not at risk from exposure to industrial products. There could be health impacts of exposure to beryllium oxide that is emitted to air and remains in the environment, but no impacts have been reported. Potential environment impacts Overview Beryllium oxide is released to the environment as fine dust that will be incorporated into soils. The resulting risk to plant and animal species is very low risk. Acute ecotoxicity Low - medium: Beryllium can be harmful to animals, especially aquatic animals, and slow growth of plants. Chronic ecotoxicity Low – medium: No data are available on long-term effects of exposure to beryllium in the environment but it is expected that these will be of similar type to the acute toxicity albeit at reduced potency. The Australian water Quality Guideline for Fresh and Marine waters (1992) is 4x10-6 g/L in fresh water which approximates the maximum solubility of beryllium oxide. Persistence Extreme: Beryllium in the environment as beryllium oxide is persistent. Bioaccumulation Low: There is limited evidence of bioaccumulation of beryllium. Where are the risks of impacts most likely? Generation Transport Storage Treatment Recovery Final disposal High Moderate Moderate Medium N/A Low Has anything happened before in Australia? Health concerns arose in 2005 over waste (dust) from copper-beryllium alloys in material used by the Australian defence forces. What control measures are in place to manage risks posed by this Industry – systematic controls Beryllium and beryllium compounds have few industrial uses and there is no widespread legislative or regulatory control over their use. While emissions from coal-burning power stations are reported to the National Pollutant Inventory, no specific action is taken to control or reduce emissions.
What control measures are in place to manage risks posed by this waste? Industry – systematic controls Higher risk workplaces like metal smelters, metal coating and metal processing industries, where worker exposure to Cu compound wastes may be possible, are licensed by environmental regulators to control industrial processes and equipment so as to limit environmental emissions of pollutants like Cu. Industry – exposure controls Potential industrial sources of Cu waste have strict emissions control equipment in place, such as baghouse filters, dust extraction systems, electrostatic precipitators and stringent trade waste emissions agreements. Additionally at-risk workers wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), particularly relating to restricting exposure to airborne sources of copper. Government State and territory governments regulate the management of hazardous waste in their respective jurisdictions in Australia. These place strict controls on the methods of transport, treatment and disposal of all hazardous wastes, including this waste, through licensing, tracking and transport accreditation requirements. Community The National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme involves a combination of government regulation and industry action to take responsibility for the collection and recycling of waste televisions, computers, printers and computer products. Under the Scheme, householders and small business can drop-off these items for free at designated access points, which may include permanent collection sites, take-back events or through a mail-back option. While not expressly classified as a Y22/ D190 waste, e-waste contains significant amounts of copper, which are recovered for downstream recycling. References 1. Australian Government. National Health and Medical Research Council. Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (2004). Accessed March 20, 2015 from: 2. Australian Government Department of the Environment. National Pollutant Inventory Fact Sheet – Copper and compounds. Accessed March 20, 2015 from: 3. Melpat International Pty Ltd. (2013). Copper sulphate Material Safety Data Sheet. Accessed April 20, 2015 from: 4. Safe Work Australia. Hazardous Substances Information System (HSIS). Accessed April 20, 2015 from: 5. National Environment Protection Council (1999). National Pollutant Inventory Technical Advisory Panel Final Report. Zinc compounds Waste name: Zinc compounds Basel waste category:Y23 Basel permit code: A1080* NEPM code: D230
Inorganic fluorine compounds excluding calcium fluoride Waste name: Inorganic fluorine compounds excluding calcium fluoride Basel waste category:Y32 Basel permit code: A2020 NEPM code: D110 What is it? Hazard score (0 – 6) Low Moderate Medium High Extreme 3.1 – 3.8 Description of the waste Inorganic fluorine compounds are used in a variety of industrial and manufacturing processes. The primary source of waste is from industries that use compounds in production and these may include the aluminium industry, oil drilling and refining (petroleum) industry, the chemical and plastic industries, agricultural and pesticide manufacturers and manufacturers of metal parts. Emissions from these industries will generally be to the air. Other emissions to the soil and water may occur from metal cleaning operations, glass and enamel manufacturing and glazing and fluoride enhanced water. Fluorine compounds are also present in consumer products such as toothpaste, pesticides and ceramic and glass polishing, etching and frosting materials1. Spent pot liner waste (SPL) from aluminium smelting contains leachable fluorides and cyanides (see Y33). Waste form Solid and liquid Physical/ chemical description Elemental fluorine is a naturally occurring element in the earth however it is unlikely to be found in nature as it is too reactive. Fluorine is likely to be found in nature as part of the mineral fluorspar (or calcium fluoride), which is excluded from this category. Inorganic fluorine compounds include a wide range of chemical compounds with fluorine as the base element. These may include compounds formed with hydrogen, metals, non-metals and noble gases. An example of a compound of fluorine is hydrogen fluoride, a colourless gas with a strong irritating odour. Hydrogen fluoride is used to manufacture other fluorine based chemicals and will dissolve in water to make hydrofluoric acid1. Why is it hazardous? Primary hazard H12: Ecotoxic Substances or wastes which if released present or may present immediate or delayed adverse impacts to the environment by means of bioaccumulation and/or toxic effects upon biotic systems. Secondary hazard H11: Toxic (delayed or chronic) Substances or wastes which, if they are inhaled or ingested or if they penetrate the skin, may involve delayed or chronic effects, including carcinogenicity. Other hazard(s) N/A N/A
resulted in larger, population scale impacts. Potential environment impacts Overview Fluorine compounds exhibit long-term toxic effects on the environment as well as being persistent. Industrial production and processing are the largest emission contributor to environmental fluorine compounds and areas surrounding plants often display higher fluorine concentrations. Acute ecotoxicity Low: Insufficient evidence is available to determine the acute toxicity of fluorine compounds to plants or animals but the effects are thought to be low. Chronic ecotoxicity Extreme: Large quantities of fluorine compounds can lower the pH of ecosystems for extended periods of time. Concentrated compounds, such as hydrogen fluoride, are very corrosive and would significantly burn plants and animals exposed to it. Persistence Extreme: Fluorine compounds are highly persistent and will take the form of a gas, liquid or solid in a variety of ecosystems. Industrial emissions can produce elevated concentrations in the atmosphere. Bioaccumulation Limited evidence of bioaccumulation. Where are the risks of impacts most likely? Generation Transport Storage Treatment Recovery Final disposal High Medium Medium Moderate N/A Low Has anything happened before in Australia? A large number of hydrofluoric acid workplace incidents and accidents in recent decades in Australia are reported in Appendix C of NICNAS’s Hydrofluoric Acid (HF) Priority Existing Chemical Assessment Report No.19, 9 What control measures are in place to manage risks posed by this waste? Industry – systematic controls Higher risk workplaces like the aluminium industry, where worker exposure to fluorine compounds may be possible, routinely monitor at-risk staff via blood or urine-based testing. Such companies are licensed by environmental regulators to control industrial processes and equipment so as to limit environmental emissions of pollutants like lead. Industry – exposure controls Potential industrial sources of fluorine compound waste have strict emissions control measures in place through the use of plant equipment such as engineering controls (extraction ventilation). Additionally at-risk workers are required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Emergency facilities to manage the exposure of staff, such as eye wash stations, should also be readily available6. Australia also has national standards in place regarding the exposure limits for atmospheric contaminants in the occupational environment. These relate to average atmospheric contaminants over an eight
health if swallowed or inhaled or by skin contact. Other hazard(s) H10: Liberation of toxic gases in contact with air or water Substances or wastes which, by interaction with air or water, are liable to give off toxic gases in dangerous quantities. Main likely chemical contaminants Likely to be found with a variety of other chemicals. Where does it come from? Main sources Metal coating and finishing; metal refining; primary metal and metal product manufacturing and coal mining, plus a range of manufacturing activities. How is it managed? Main fates Chemical/ physical treatment to immobilise the hazard, then the stabilised material is usually disposed of in hazardous waste landfill. Some liquid wastes are discharged to sewer, after neutralisation, under regulatory agreements. How much is generated in Australia? Volume score (% of national tonnes in 2013) <1% 1 – 5% 5 – 10% 10 – 20% ≥ 20% 0.56% Waste arising in 2013 (tonnes) TOTAL: 40,464 ACT: 0 NSW: 14,522 NT: 33 Qld: 14,092 SA: 718 Tas: 32 Vic: 7,173 WA: 3,894 Potential health impacts Overview The potential health impacts of acidic solutions and solids are widely varied. As a result, a range has been described for the potential impacts. While it is difficult to draw conclusions for all substances in the category, exposure generally results in high to extreme acute and chronic toxicity in the form of severe skin burns and irritation to the eyes, nose, throat and lungs. Exposure to concentrated forms may lead to death. Repeated exposure may cause permanent damage to internal organs. Some (but not all) have been found to have severe carcinogenic effects on humans2, 3, 4, 5. Acute toxicity High – Extreme Most will result in severe corrosive burns when contacted with skin or ingested. Irritating to eyes, nose, throat and lungs if inhaled. Exposure to concentrated forms can cause circulatory collapse which may lead to death. Chronic toxicity Medium – High Repeated exposures may cause permanent damage to the lungs, circulatory system and teeth. Long-term skin exposure may cause dermatitis. Carcinogenicity Low – Extreme
cholinesterase and act by inducing muscle paralysis. They may be absorbed through the skin and are dangerous by inhalation or ingestion. Acute toxicity Low: Triaryl phosphates have low acute toxicity. Extreme: The organophosphate pesticides are acutely toxic, inducing symptoms salivation, lachrymation, vomiting and laboured breathing. Chronic toxicity Low: Triaryl phosphates have low chronic toxicity but see below for reproductive effects. Medium: Chronic effects of longer term exposure to organophosphate pesticides are of the same type as the acute effects and result from decreased levels of the relevant enzyme causing reduced muscular control. Such effects may be induced by slow-release formulations of the organophosphate pesticides that are designed to maintain very low concentrations of the substances in indoor environments. Carcinogenicity Neither the triaryl phosphates nor the organophosphate pesticides are carcinogenic Reproductive toxicity Medium: Triaryl phosphates have reproductive toxicity, the mechanism of which is unknown. The organophosphate pesticides do not pose a reproductive risk to humans. Workplace health & safety impacts Workplace exposure must be avoided to the maximum extent possible. Spray and jetting applications pose particular risks and require the use of face masks. Periodic testing of workers is recommended by Safe Work Australia. Population scale impacts Permitted residue levels for organophosphate pesticides on grains and other vegetable products are typically a few mg per kilogram on treated product and withholding intervals of typically 7 days after treatment. Potential environment impacts Overview No significant data are available on the environmental impacts of triaryl phosphates. Organophosphate pesticides are toxic to animal species. Acute ecotoxicity Extreme: As for humans, the toxicity consists of muscle impacts caused by enzyme inhibition. Very toxic in aquatic environments. Chronic ecotoxicity Extreme: As for humans, continued exposure results in low level impacts of the same kind as acute poisoning. May cause long term adverse impacts in the aquatic environment. Persistence Low: Triaryl phosphates are slowly degraded in the environment and so are not persistent. Organophosphate pesticides are not persistent in the environment, but some degradation products are toxic and have longer lifetimes.
impacts on other lifeforms are lacking. Chronic ecotoxicity Low: Acetonitrile exhibits slight chronic toxicity to aquatic organisms Persistence Low: Acetonitrile and acrylonitrile have half-lives of a few days in the environment. Bioaccumulation Neither acetonitrile nor acrylonitrile is bioaccumulative. Where are the risks of impacts most likely? Generation Transport Storage Treatment Recovery Final disposal High Medium Medium Moderate N/A Low Has anything happened before in Australia? No incidents in Australia have been identified. What control measures are in place to manage risks posed by this waste? Industry – systematic controls Health concerns are higher for acrylonitrile and ethane dinitrile on account of their toxicity than for acetonitrile. Industry – exposure controls Acetonitrile and acrylonitrile are generally used in closed systems so workers are not directly exposed during normal operations. Regulatory limits (see above) apply. Government Workplace health and safety limits are promulgated by government agencies in States and Territories. Community Since these are industrial chemicals with relatively small emissions to air, the exposure of the general public is slight. References 1. Public Release Summary on the Evaluation of the new Active Constituent Ethanedinitrile in the product Sterigas 1000 Fumigant (2013): . 2. Acetonitrile: . 3. Toxic Substances Portal – Acrylonitrile (2013): . Phenols; phenol compounds including chlorophenols Waste name: Phenols; phenol compounds including chlorophenols Basel waste category:Y39 Basel permit code: A3070 NEPM code: M150 What is it? Hazard score (0 – 6) Low Moderate Medium High Extreme 3.1 – 3.8 Description of the waste Phenol is an industrial chemical that is used in the manufacture of resins, plastics, fibres, adhesives, iron, steel, aluminium, leather, and rubber. Chlorophenols are a small group of chemicals that substitute
behaviour. Acute ecotoxicity Extreme: Very toxic to aquatic life. Chronic ecotoxicity Extreme: Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. Persistence Low: Limited ability to persist in the environment. Bioaccumulation High: Will accumulate to some extent in fish and sediments. Where are the risks of impacts most likely? Generation Transport Storage Treatment Recovery Final disposal High Medium Medium Moderate N/A Low Has anything happened before in Australia? A worker was killed when a pipe burst and sprayed him with molten phenol in a horrific workplace accident in Melbourne’s west in May 2011. The man was working on pipes outside the Nufarm herbicide manufacturing facility in Laverton North when one exploded, dousing him in phenol which he also probably ingested. The man suffered a cardiac arrest in the decontamination shower and was unable to be revived. What control measures are in place to manage risks posed by this waste? Industry – systematic controls Companies that handle phenolic compounds and their wastes are licensed by environmental regulators to control industrial processes and equipment so as to limit environmental emissions of these pollutants. Industry – exposure controls Potential industrial sources of phenol based wastes have strict emissions control and chemical handling equipment and systems in place. Additionally at-risk workers wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), particularly relating to restricting exposure to airborne sources of wastes such as fumes, which may have an acrid stench. Government Regulatory levels are set by state and territory government agencies for exposure of workers to a range of volatile organic substances. Similar controls for emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) exist on companies through environmental licensing regimes. Community Labels and containers of consumer products are required to carry advice on safe handling of the contents, although components are seldom identified. References 1. Australian Government Department of the Environment. National Pollutant Inventory Fact Sheet – phenol. Accessed March 24, 2015 from: 2 Guidechem MSDS for 4-Chlorophenol. Accessed 24 April, 2015 from: 3. Sigma Aldrich (2015). 2- Chlorophenol Material Safety Data Sheet. Accessed April 24, 2015 from: =en&productNumber=185779&brand=ALDRICH&PageToGoToURL=http %3A%2F%2Fwww.sigmaaldrich.com%2Fcatalog%2Fproduct%2Faldrich%2F1857
Where are the risks of impacts most likely? Generation Transport Storage Treatment Recovery Final disposal High Medium Medium Moderate High Low Has anything happened before in Australia? While no ether related incidents were identified in Australia, MTBE in particular has been implicated in explosions and groundwater contamination elsewhere in the world: Tanker explosion Saudi Arabia The chemical tanker Stolt Valor was carrying a cargo of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) when it exploded in the Persian Gulf in March 2012 killing one crew member 1. MTBE was also the same cargo that exploded on the Bow Mariner in 2004, an incident that sparked a series of initiatives aimed at ending often catastrophic explosions on chemical tankers. MTBE in groundwater USA MTBE emerged as a significant issue for water utilities in the US in 1996 when it was detected in groundwater supplies for the city of Santa Monica only two years after it was introduced into fuel supplies in California 2. The contamination was traced to leaking underground fuel storage tanks. Groundwater pollution involving MTBE in the US has ballooned since that time. The cost to oil companies to clean up the MTBE in wells in Santa Monica was ultimately $423 million, settled in May 2008.2 What control measures are in place to manage risks posed by this waste? Industry – systematic controls Companies that handle organic solvents and their wastes are licensed by environmental regulators to control industrial processes and equipment so as to limit environmental emissions of these pollutants. The printing industry, a significant generator of solvent wastes, established a code of practice in Victoria in 1996, aimed at reducing solvent emissions to the atmosphere. In 2004 this was replaced with an EPA Victoria information bulletin.3 Industry – exposure controls Potential industrial sources of organic solvent waste have strict emissions control and chemical handling equipment and systems in place. Additionally at-risk workers wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), particularly relating to restricting exposure to airborne sources of, and skin contact with, solvents and their wastes. Government Regulatory levels are set by state and territory government agencies for exposure of workers to a range of volatile organic substances. Similar controls for emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) exist on companies through environmental licensing regimes. The Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 provides a legislative framework for setting national fuel quality and fuel quality information standards for Australia4. These standards include a restriction on MTBE use in Australian fuel to 1% by volume, which compares to usage in imported fuel and as high as 10-15% in the US5 prior to
impacts also have broader environmental impacts. Acute ecotoxicity High: Toxic to aquatic organisms. Chronic ecotoxicity Extreme: May cause long-term adverse impacts in the aquatic environment. Persistence Low. Bioaccumulation Low. Where are the risks of impacts most likely? Generation Transport Storage Treatment Recovery Final disposal High Medium Medium Moderate High Low Has anything happened before in Australia? The contaminated site industry in Australia, in terms of identification, testing, classifying and remediating legacy waste impacts to land, was borne out of ground pollution from organic solvents or, more particularly, petroleum fuel leakages from underground storage tanks. Thousands of contaminated sites have been registered by environmental regulators across Australia and are in various stages of identification, quantification, remediation and clean up. What control measures are in place to manage risks posed by this waste? Industry – systematic controls Companies that handle organic solvents and their wastes are licensed by environmental regulators to control industrial processes and equipment so as to limit environmental emissions of these pollutants. Industry – exposure controls Potential industrial sources of organic solvent waste have strict emissions control and chemical handling equipment and systems in place. Additionally at-risk workers wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), particularly relating to restricting exposure to airborne sources of, and skin contact with, solvents and their wastes. Government Regulatory levels are set by state and territory government agencies for exposure of workers to a range of volatile organic substances. Similar controls for emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) exist on companies through environmental licensing regimes. Community Labels and containers of consumer products are required to carry advice on safe handling of the contents, although components are seldom identified. References 1. UNEP (2002). Basel Convention. Technical Guidelines on Hazardous Waste from the Production and Use of Organic Solvents (Y6). Accessed March 21, 2015 from: workdoc/old%20docs/tech-y6.pdf 2. Shell Trading International Ltd (2011). Naphtha (petroleum), solvent-refined light Material Safety Data Sheet. Accessed March 21, 2015 from:
/msds/in-country/uk-stasco/mogas-naphtha-petroleum-solvent-refined-light-cas-64741- 84-0---stil---en.pdf 3. National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (1990). Australian Government. Industrial Organic Solvents. Accessed March 21, 2015 from: IndustrialOrganicSolvents_1990_PDF.pdf 4. US EPA. TEACH Chemical Summary – Benzene. Accessed March 21, 2015 from: Any congener of polychlorinated dibenzo-furan Waste name: Any congener of polychlorinated dibenzo-furan Basel waste category:Y43 Basel permit code: A4110 NEPM code: M170 What is it? Hazard score (0 – 6) Low Moderate Medium High Extreme <5.0 Description of the waste This waste category shares virtually identical characteristics to Y44. Polychlorinated dibenzofurans are not manufactured as commercial products but are generated in manufacture of some chemicals. They are also produced in combustion processes and released to the environment, usually as particulate matter, from there they are taken up by biota and bioaccumulated. Waste form Solid and liquid Physical/ chemical description In polychlorinated dibenzofurans, all or some of the eight hydrogen atoms on the dibenzofuran skeleton are replaced by chlorine atoms. There are 135 members of this family (known as congeners), having different arrangements of chlorine atoms. They are solids with appreciable vapour pressures. Why is it hazardous? Primary hazard H11: Toxic (delayed or chronic) Substances or wastes which, if they are inhaled or ingested or if they penetrate the skin, may involve delayed or chronic effects, including carcinogenicity. Secondary hazard H12: Ecotoxic Substances or wastes which if released present or may present immediate or delayed adverse impacts to the environment by means of bioaccumulation and/or toxic effects upon biotic systems. Other hazard(s) N/A N/A
destroy, other goods or the means of transport; they may also cause other hazards. Secondary hazard H11: Toxic (delayed or chronic) Substances or wastes which, if they are inhaled or ingested or if they penetrate the skin, may involve delayed or chronic effects, including carcinogenicity. Other hazard(s) H4.1: Flammable solids Solids, or waste solids, other than those classed as explosives, which under conditions encountered in transport are readily combustible, or may cause or contribute to fire through friction. H13: Capable of yielding another hazard or hazardous material Capable, by any means, after disposal, of yielding another material, e.g., leachate, which possesses any of the characteristics listed above. Main likely chemical contaminants Other inorganic salts. Where does it come from? Main sources 98% of this waste category is made up of D300 Non-toxic salts. These are almost exclusively from Coal Seam Gas (CSG) mining and extraction. How is it managed? Main fates Chemical/ physical treatment to immobilise the hazard, then the stabilised material is usually disposed of in hazardous waste landfill. How much is generated in Australia? Volume score (% of national tonnes in 2013) <1% 1 – 5% 5 – 10% 10 – 20% ≥ 20% 1.29% Waste arising in 2013 (tonnes) TOTAL: 93,010 ACT: 0 NSW: 20,193 NT: 0 Qld: 56,372 SA: 505 Tas: 3,780 Vic: 1,088 WA: 11,071 Potential health impacts Overview Common table salt is an edible product. However, even something so apparently benign can be harmful, especially by ingestion, at high levels over a period of time. Most of these inorganic chemicals show moderate to high health effects, with inorganic sulfides being the most acutely and chronically toxic. This is especially so if sulfides are present in acidic conditions and hydrogen sulfide gas is formed. Acute toxicity High- extreme: Inhalation of high concentrations of Hydrogen Sulfide can cause dizziness, headache, and nausea. Exposure to
combination with residues of cooked foods, can form trace levels of harmful organic pollutants such as PAHs. Animal wastes share amenity characteristics with grease trap waste although more so, and contribute some risk of pathogenicity through ingestion. Despite these concerns the overall human health impacts from these wastes are smaller than the potential for environmental impacts. Acute toxicity Low Chronic toxicity Low Carcinogenicity Low Reproductive toxicity No reproductive toxicity impacts are expected from these wastes. Workplace health & safety impacts Hygiene is important in both food preparation and processing industries, for the purposes of food standards and safety to the consumer as well as exposure to raw animal blood and associated carcass wastes of slaughtered animals. Potential environment impacts Overview Grease trap wastes have environmental impact properties similar to waste oils and tarry residues. There is evidence in the literature that food oil such as vegetable oil spills occur and impact the environment similar to petroleum oil spills.1 Both grease trap and animal industry wastes share a common property of having high biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), due to their high biological organic content. BOD is a measure of the quantity of oxygen used by microorganisms in the oxidation of organic matter. Oxygen consumed in the decomposition process of organic wastes discharged to waterways robs other aquatic organisms of the oxygen they need to live. Consequently oxygen starvation is a symptom of high organic loading of waters, both as a physical surface barrier (oil pollution) and as an unnaturally active biochemical process in the vicinity of organic waste discharge. Acute ecotoxicity High: Animal fats and vegetable oils can cause devastating physical effects such as coating animals and plants with oil and suffocating them by oxygen depletion, foul shorelines, clog water treatment plants and catch fire when ignition sources are present. Chronic ecotoxicity Low - medium: Can destroy future and existing food supplies, breeding animals and habitats. Persistence Medium: Although vegetable oils in particular will biodegrade relatively quickly in the environment, large spills can form products that linger in the environment for many years. Bioaccumulation Low: Biological wastes such as these do not bioaccumulate in fish.
pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals. Where are the risks of impacts most likely? Generation Transport Storage Treatment Recovery Final disposal Low Low High N/A Medium Medium Has anything happened before in Australia? In NSW, fire services estimate a total of 256 tyre fires have burnt since 2009, with an average of 50 a year.2 Fire activity relative to this would also apply in other Australian states and territories. For example, in January 2015, an investigation was launched into a large stockpile of tyres which were burned in fires in Moyston, Victoria. Concerns were raised by the Environment Protection Authority who are investigating whether a pile of 30,000 tyres that caught fire was illegally dumped. 5 Overseas there have also been many examples of large tyre stockpile fires. A stockpile of 10million tyres illegally dumped near Knighton, Powys in Wales caught fire in 1989. Unable to access the area, fire fighters could not extinguish the blaze and it burnt for at least 15 years. Polluting leachate from the site contaminated drinking water supplies by polluting the River Teme.6 What control measures are in place to manage risks posed by this waste? Industry – systematic controls In response to suspected illegal operators undercutting legitimate recyclers (who had the requisite licences, planning approvals and safety measures), the Australian Tyre Recycling Association developed a best practice standard of operation. Also see Tyre Product Stewardship Scheme and the formation of Tyre Stewardship Australia below. Industry – exposure controls N/A Government The Australian Government launched Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA) on behalf of the tyre industry on 20 January 2014. TSA has been established by tyre importers to administer a national tyre product stewardship scheme. TSA will also promote environmentally sustainable collection and recycling of end-of-life tyres and explore and promote new uses for recycled end-of-life tyres. TSA will administer the tyre product stewardship scheme and conduct education, communication, compliance assessment and market development activities. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) granted authorisation for the scheme for five years until 3 May 2018. The scheme is funded through an ACCC-authorised levy on the sale of tyres in Australia. Victoria is currently proposing regulations relating to the storage of waste tyres, as evidenced by their Regulatory Impact Statement comment process in late 2014 2. From 29 April 2015, tyre stockpiles