Key Instruction Points:
1. Chemical containers should be
triple
rinsed and dry before being used for
waste accumulation.
2. Wear safety glasses while in
the
laboratory, even while performing
non-laboratory work.
A graduate student sitting at a lab computer was
surprised by a chemical waste bottle which burst and sprayed nitric acid and shards of
glass all over the lab.
Approximately 2L of nitric acid waste had been accumulated in a chemical waste bottle
which originally contained methanol. Over the course of 12-16 hours, it is likely that
some residual methanol reacted with the nitric acid waste and created enough carbon
dioxide to overpressurize the container. Two other waste containers in the hood were
severly damaged and several others were cracked or leaking.
Fortunately, the laboratory worker was not injured.
Chemical containers should be triple rinsed and dry before being used for waste
accumulation. Safety glasses should always be worn while in the laboratory, even while
performing non-laboratory work.
Key Instruction Points:
1. Segregate and dispose of
hazardous wastes
properly through EHS
2. Use appropriate personal
protective equipment.
EHS was notified of a chemical spill in a laboratory at the____
Building. At that time, EHS was also told that a Research Associate was sent to the
Emergency Room because of skin, eye and respiratory irritation. EHS responded and found
yellow liquid splattered on the walls, ceiling and floor. Many bottles of chemicals were
placed in a red bag medical trash can, of which several were broken. In addition, there
were many more bottles on the counter top and floor.
EHS was told that two Research Associates were cleaning out old
chemicals from their lab. They had put the bottles of chemicals into the red bag waste
bin, when it appeared that one of the bottles containing ferric chloride broke. An
acid mist was created, possibly by water or other broken bottles of chemicals being
present in the waste bin. The Researcher stepped closer and peered into the waste bin when
an explosion occurred. The yellow liquid splashed all over him. He immediately took off
his lab coat and shirt and showered under the two emergency showers in the hallway and
then went to the ER. He suffered corneal abrasions and 1° and 2° burns to his face.
The resulting damage and the time required to clean up the spill
cost in excess of $2,500. Investigation revealed the following: The lab had been inspected
by EHS less than a year ago and was advised to dispose of any old or unwanted chemicals
through EHS. At no point was EHS ever informed that the lab needed to dispose of their
chemicals.
Over the summer, in a similar incident, EHS was anonymously alerted
that another laboratory was performing a laboratory cleanout and was disposing of
chemicals in their housekeeping trashcan. EHS conducted an investigation and located the
dumpster where the trash was disposed. In it, we found, to name a few, benzene,
hydrochloric acid, hydrogen peroxide, mannite, pyroxilin and sodium hydrosulfite. All of
the illegally disposed chemicals were taken out of the dumpster by EHS and stored in our
hazardous waste storage room. Fortunately, there were no serious repercussions.
What are the lessons from these two incidents? First, all employees
must be trained to do their jobs. All lab personnel must be up- to- date in Lab Safety
Training, which include Chemical Waste Handling. Next, all hazardous waste is disposed of
by contacting EHS, not in the regulated medical waste container.. As stated in the
Chemical Hygiene Plan, laboratories wishing to dispose of chemicals should schedule
a chemical pickup or drop through our office. We dispose of chemicals at no charge if the
proper procedures are followed. Lab workers should wear personal protective equipment and
should take care to ensure that incompatible wastes are not mixed. And finally, all
laboratory guidelines described in the Chemical Hygiene Plan should be followed to protect
the health and safety of the housekeeping staff and co-workers.
A laboratory worker was cleaning out chemicals from an old
refrigerator. Wearing gloves, chemical splash goggles and a lab coat (over shorts), the
worker was segregating the chemicals into several different waste containers. He found a
small bottle of iodine monochloride, and not knowing the physical properties of the
chemical, began to pour it into a jar with other liquid wastes. The waste container
suddenly began fuming vigorously, startling the worker and causing the worker to drop the
bottle of iodine monochloride. Several drops of the chemical splashed onto the worker's
leg, causing a second degree burn.
The iodine monochloride reacted with a chemical in the waste container. The worker was
fortunate that the reaction did not produce significant amounts of hazardous vapors. Had
the worker been wearing long pants, the burn might have been avoided.
-Never mix chemicals unless you are certain of the consequences and
are prepared to control the hazard.
-Do not mix incompatible waste chemicals together.
-Know the hazards of each chemical before working with it.
-Wear pants and a closed lab coat when working with hazardous materials
Revision Date: 5/11/2001
url: http://www2.umdnj.edu/eohssweb/aiha/accidents/waste.htm
