9/16/2018

GREEN CHEMISTRY FOR EVERY LABORATORY

Green chemistry - designing

Chemical Handling and products and processes that

reduce or eliminate the use and
Managing Laboratory Wastes generation of hazardous
substances, which fits well with the
overall goals of a culture of safety.

12 principles of green chemistry (Anastas and Warner, 1998) can be applied in

the laboratory as guidelines.
1. Prevent Waste

Planning

• Chose procedures that minimize

the quantities of chemicals to be
used and minimize the disposal
of hazardous materials.

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Planning includes minimization of the

material used at each step of an
experiment.

• Transferring a liquid reaction mixture

or other solution from one flask to
another container requires the use of
a solvent to rinse out the flask.

• The lab technician should use the

smallest amount of solvent possible
that enables a complete transfer.

•isolating nonhazardous waste from hazardous waste; Microscale Work and Wet Chemistry Elimination
•using a column purification system for recycling of used solvent
Microscale chemistry-amounts of materials used are
Recovery rate : 97% and more. reduced to 25-100 mg for solids and 100-200 μL for
Recycle time : 4 to 6 hours. liquids, compared with the usual 10-50 g for solids or
Easy to use : processor controlled, 100-500 mL for liquids.
easy residue removal and positive-
seal cover. • Smaller scale synthetic methods save money because
Recycles most popular solvents, they require less reagent and result in less waste.
including mineral spirit, Acetone, • Not all laboratory procedures can be scaled down.
IPA, MEK, Xylene, Hexane, Multigram laboratory preparation is often required
SR 180 and SR 180V (48 gallons)
Applications: Diacetone Alcohol, Ethyl, Methyl, to provide sufficient material for further work.
•Solvent Recovery Chlorinated solvents, flexo press
•VOC Steam Stripping • Exercise precaution appropriate to the scale, as well
•Alcohol Recovery
wash, flexo plate wash & litho
•Vacuum Distillation solvents and more. as the inherent hazards, of the procedure.

Instrumental analyses— require little reagent

and generate very little waste in themselves—
Pollution prevention reduces solvent waste
can be substituted for wet chemistry. An organic chemistry lab revealed each of the 25
researchers used 1 L of solvent, acetone, weekly to clean or
• Consider the waste reduction in rinse glassware and other items used.
spectroscopic organic analysis v.s chemical Reasons: Insufficient glasswares to lack of good brushes for
derivatization…hazardous waste reduction cleaning residue to taking a shortcut to the cleaning
reduces both compliance and disposal costs. process.

• When purchasing equipment to automate Solution: The lab purchased more glassware, better
lab processes, choose equipment that is brushes, and an ultrasonicator that uses a mild detergent.
efficacious, but uses the least amount of The lab installed bench lab dishwashers, which resulted in
reagents or solvents, or least hazardous further reductions in solvent use for cleaning.
materials.
The savings in solvent purchase and disposal paid back the
price of the new purchases in 3 months.

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2. ATOM ECONOMY

3. Design Less Hazardous Laboratory Processes and

Reaction Conditions

3rd principle of Green Chemistry--

syntheses should be designed using less
toxic reagents.
• The use of a toxic reagent does not
necessarily imply generation of a
toxic waste.

The following questions when choosing a material to be used as a

4. Use Safer Chemicals and Other Materials reagent or solvent in an experimental procedure:

Better yield implies lower cost. Can this material be replaced by one that will expose the staff,
and others who handle it, to less potential hazard?

Material substitution can be an Can this material be replaced by one that will reduce or
important consideration in eliminate the hazardous waste and the resulting cost of waste
manufacturing process design disposal?
because of the large quantity, and Can these steps be taken in conjunction with yield maximization
potential cost of chemicals used. and minimization of overall waste and cost?

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Labs are safer when they substitute nonhazardous, or less • Consider carefully the use of reagents containing
toxic heavy metals.
hazardous, chemicals by considering alternative synthetic routes
and alternative procedures for working up reaction mixtures. Example:

• To reduce the amount of copper released to the sewer, Detergents for glassware are a safer substitute for
use iron complexes rather than copper when studying chromic acid cleaning solutions. Various chromium(VI)
and other metal oxidants are used in synthetic organic
spectrophotometry. chemistry, but other oxidants are possible substitutes.
• In liquid scintillation counting of low-level radioactive
When planning a reaction, consider the cost of disposal
samples, use nonflammable, lower toxicity, water- of heavy metal waste in addition to its utility.
miscible solvents rather than xylene, toluene, or dioxane,
so as to eliminate fire hazard and toxic wastes.

• Substitute solid or liquid reagents for hazardous

gases that must be used at elevated pressure.

Example:

Phosgene is a highly toxic gas used as a reagent in

organic transformations. Its use requires proper
precautions to contain the gas and handle and
dispose of cylinders.
Replacements: diphosgene (trichloromethyl)
chloroformate, a liquid, or triphosgene
bis(trichloromethyl) carbonate, a low-melting solid.

5. Use Safer Solvents and Reaction conditions

• Avoid solvents listed as select
carcinogens, reproductive toxins, or
hazardous air pollutants. Choose
solvents with relatively high
threshold limit values.

• The best substitute solvent has

physiochemical properties, such as
boiling point, flash point, and
dielectric constant that are similar
to the original solvent.

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Supercritical CO2 as a solvent involves a

benign material, CO2 . Requires only
• Cost can be a factor, consider the
ambient heat, no hazardous waste,
benefits of safety, health, and requires elevated pressure.
the environment as well.
Supercritical solvents for
Heptane is more costly than chromatography and synthesis require
hexane, but is very similar specialized equipment, but because of
physiochemically and is not listed the improved of chromatography
by EPA as a hazardous air pollutant. methods operating at elevated pressure
Toluene usually can substitute for and the common nature of the pumps,
the carcinogen benzene. much of the hazard has been mitigated.

6. Increase Energy Efficiency

Go with less flow
Fume hoods are one of the most energy-
intensive types of equipment in a laboratory
environment, but significant savings can be
achieved by keeping them closed when not in
use

Keep it cool
Upgrading a freezer could be even more
efficient than expected.
“Several models have been designed with
energy efficiency in mind . . . often consuming
60 percent less energy than freezers using older
technology.”

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Simpler spinning 7. Use Renewable Feedstocks

Today’s centrifuges allow scientists to easily
change the rotor to spin down mixtures in
microtubes, microplates, cell-culture
containers, and so on.

Keep it organized
Building a spreadsheet that includes all of the
lab’s equipment. That lets you keep track of
what you have in the lab, as well as when it was
purchased and serviced.

For very general equipment, the cost of fixing it

is close to the cost of buying a new one.”

8. Avoid Chemical Derivatives Protecting Groups

9. Use Catalysts

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Other examples of such strategies:

•considering how a reaction product

will be used and making only the
amount needed for that use
•appreciating the cost of making and
storing unneeded material
•minimization of material used in
each step of an experiment
•searching for ways to reduce the
number of steps in an experiment;
•improving yields
•recycling and reusing materials
when possible

Design Experimental Products for Degradation 11. Analyze in Real Time to Prevent Pollution
After Use
Green chemistry practitioners plan
synthesis and other processes so that
the products and byproducts are
rendered safe or less hazardous.
-include experimental plan reaction
workup steps that deactivate hazardous
materials or reduce their toxicity.

Include Real-Time Controls to Prevent Pollution

Lab Chemical Management for Waste Reduction gives reasons for

ordering chemicals in smaller containers, even if that means using
several containers of a material for a single experiment:
• Consequence of breakage is substantially reduced for small
package sizes.
• Risk of accident and exposure to hazardous material is less when
handling smaller containers.
• Storeroom space needs are reduced when only a single size is
inventoried.
• Containers are emptied faster, resulting in less chance for
decomposition of reactive compounds.

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Include Real-Time Controls to Prevent Pollution

• Use of the so-called “economy size” dictates a need for other
equipment, such as transfer containers, funnels, pumps, and
labels.

• It is safer, and may be less costly, to allow commercial

providers to break bulk rather than “doing it yourself.”

• If unused hazardous material must be disposed of, the

disposal cost per container is less for smaller containers.

Flowchart for
categorizing unknown
An institution should minimize the amount of chemical chemicals for waste
accepted as a gift or as part of a research contract. The disposal.

laboratory will be burdened with the cost of disposing of a

donated chemical that was not needed.
Green Chemistry
Donated material can easily become a liability. Principles Avoid
Multihazardous
Waste Generation

• Elementary neutralization; the mixing of acidic and alkaline Treatment of Acids and Bases
waste to form a salt solution, has long been encouraged as
long as safety considerations are addressed. In particular,
dilute solutions should be used to avoid rapid heat generation. • Neutralization of acids and bases (corrosives) is exempt from a
treatment permit. Because the products of the reaction are
• Treat before it becomes a waste. often disposed of in the sanitary sewer, it is important to ensure
that hazardous waste such as toxic metal ions is not a part of the
• Treatment of by products assumes the material has not been effluent.
declared a waste or handled in a waste-like manner. Such
treatment cannot be performed anywhere other than the • If both waste acids and waste bases are generated. It is
location where the byproduct was generated. economical to collect them separately and neutralize. If
additional acid or base is required, sulfuric or HCl and sodium or
Mg(OH)2, can be used.

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Treatment of Acids and Bases Treatment of Other Chemicals

• With the exception of neutralization, treatment procedures are
• If the acid or base is highly concentrated, first dilute it with cold intended for application only in small quantities, not more than a few
water (adding the acid or base to the water) to a concentration hundred grams.
below 10%. When both are mixed, water is slowly added when • Risks tend to increase exponentially with scale, larger quantities should
necessary to cool and dilute the neutralized product. The be treated only in small batches unless a qualified chemist has
concentration of neutral salts disposed of in the sanitary sewer demonstrated that the procedure can be scaled up safely.
should be below 1%.
• The lab must ensure that the procedure eliminates the regulated
hazard before the products are disposed as nonhazardous waste. If the
procedure suggests disposal into the sanitary sewer, this strategy must
comply with local regulations.

Classes and Functional Groupings of Inorganic Chemicals for

Which There Are Existing Treatment Methods Classes and Functional Groupings of Organic Chemicals for
Which There Are Existing Treatment Methods
Alkali Metals Inorganic Peroxides and Hydroperoxides
Bromates Iodates
Cations (precipitation to their hydroxides) Metal azides Aldehydes Hydroperoxides
Chemicals in which neither the cation nor Amines Peroxides
the anion presents a significant hazard Metal catalysts Anhydrides Sulfides
Chromates Metal hydrides
Halides Thiols (mercaptans)
Chromates Molybdates
Halides and acid halides of nonmetals Periodates
Hypochlorites Permanganates
Inorganic cyanides Persulfates
Inorganic ions Water-reactive metal halides

Hg Replacements in the Lab Mercury-free liquid-filled thermometers

available, including spirit thermometers (filled
Chronic exposure to Hg through any route can produce CNS with biodegradable petroleum-based mineral
damage (Mallinkrodt Baker, Inc., 2008). Common exposure spirits and dyes) and alcohol-based
thermometers.
routes include inhalation, ingestion, and skin or eye contact.

Thermometers and manometers are the most common lab uses

of elemental Hg, there are suitable nonmercury alternatives
available and should be replaced with mercury-free substitutes.

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ACQUISITION OF CHEMICALS
• Ordering Chemicals

Before purchasing a chemical,

prudent laboratory personnel
Acquisition of Chemicals ask several questions:
-Is the material already available from
?
another lab within the institution or
from a surplus-chemical stockroom?
-
If so, waste is reduced, and the
purchase price is saved.

-What is the minimum quantity that will

What is the maximum size container
suffice for current use?
allowed in the areas where the material
• Chemical purchases should not be determined by the will be used and stored?
cheaper unit price basis of large quantities but rather by
the amount needed for use. • Fire codes and institutional policies regulate quantities
of certain chemicals, most notably flammables and
combustibles.
• The cost of disposing of the excess is likely to exceed any
potential savings gained in a bulk purchase (i.e., the cost • For these materials, a maximum allowable quantity
of getting rid of a chemical may exceed its acquisition for laboratory storage has been established
cost).

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Storage Limits for Flammable and Combustible Liquids for Labs with Sprinkler System
Excluding Quantities in Rated Including Quantities in Rated
Storage Cabinets/Safety Cans Storage Cabinets/Safety Cans
2
(max per 100 ft ) (max per 100 ft2)
Laboratory Unit Fire
Hazard Class Class of Liquid gal L gal L
A(high fire hazard) Class I flammable 10 38 20 76
(flash point <100 °F)
Combined Class I, II, IIIA 20 76 40 150
(fash point <200 °F)
B(moderate fire hazard) Class I flammable 5 20 10 38
(flash point <100 °F)
Combined Class I, II, IIIA 10 38 20 76
(flash point <200 °F)
C(low fire hazard) Class I flammable 2 7.5 4 15
(flash point <100 °F)
Combined Class I, II, IIIA 4 15 8 30
(flash point <200 °F)
D(minimal fire hazard) Class I flammable 1 4 2 7.5
(flash point <100 °F)
Combined Class I, II, IIIA 1 4 2
(flash point <200 °F)

The following general precautions should be taken when storing

Storing Gas Cylinders compressed gas cylinders or lecture bottles:

•Always label cylinders with their contents; do not depend on the

• With toxic and reactive gases, or
large quantities of asphyxiating manufacturer's color code. They may vary across companies.
gases, a special gas cabinet may •Securely strap or chain gas cylinders to a wall or benchtop. In
be required. Gas cabinets are seismically active areas, use more than one strap or chain.
designed for leak detection, safe •When cylinders are no longer in use, shut the valves, relieve the
change-outs, ventilation, and pressure in the gas regulators, remove the regulators, and cap the
emergency release. cylinders.
•Segregate gas cylinder storage from the storage of other chemicals.
•Do not store corrosives near gas cylinders or lecture bottles.
Corrosive vapors from mineral acids can deface markings and
damage valves.

•Keep incompatible classes of gases stored separately. Keep Can the chemical be managed safely
when it arrives? Does it require special
flammables away from reactives, which include oxidizers storage, such as in a drybox, refrigerator,
and corrosives. or freezer?
•Segregate empty cylinders from full cylinders. Do receiving personnel need to be
•Keep in mind the physical state—compressed, cryogenic, or notified of the order and given special
instructions for receipt? Will any special
liquefied—of the gases. equipment necessary to use the
•Do not abandon cylinders in the dock storage areas. chemical be ready when it arrives?
•Return cylinders to the supplier when you are finished with
them. An effort should be made to order chemicals for just-in-time
delivery by purchasing all unstable or extremely reactive materials
from the same supplier with a request for one delivery at the best
time for performing an experiment.

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Is the chemical unstable?

Does the chemical
present any unique Inherently unstable materials
security risks? Is it a may have very short storage
controlled substance? Is times and should be
there a risk of potential purchased just before use to
intentional misuse of the avoid losing a reagent and
chemical? creating an unnecessary
waste of material and time.

Can the waste be • A purchase order for a chemical should

include a request for a safety data sheet
managed satisfactorily? (SDS).

• Many of the larger laboratory chemical

suppliers send each SDS only when an
A chemical that organization first orders the chemical.
Subsequent orders of the same chemical are
produces a new category not accompanied by the SDS.
of waste may cause • A central network of accessible SDS should be
problems for the waste established. This collection of SDS can be
management program. electronic if computer access is available to
all employees at all times.

Chemicals: Managing, Handling and Disposing MAINTAINING CHEMICAL SAFETY REQUIRES . . .

Safety in Ordering, Storing, Using and

Disposing of Chemicals •careful selection of all reagent
chemicals.
•accurate assessment of relative hazards
Chemical safety is the of chemicals.
responsibility of everyone who •proper labeling and storage of all
uses the laboratory, but safe chemicals.
management of chemicals •safe use of all materials.
begins with the one who orders •proper disposal of all materials.
and uses these products

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Laboratory waste
-generated from laboratories in industry and in educational
centers such as secondary schools and universities.
• Hazardous
• Clinical
• Biological
• Electrical
• Chemical Laboratory

Why Manage Wastes? Two Basic Approach in Waste Management

• To ensure maintenance of
environmental quality TECHNOLOGICAL
LEGAL APPROACH
APPROACH
• To Protect human health

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LEGAL APPROACH Technological Approach

• Includes:
• Includes technologies on:
- Republic Acts - Waste Minimization
- Presidential Decrees - Treatment
- Administrative Orders - Disposal
- Memorandum Circulars • Should be supported with the legal approach
• Should go hand-in-hand with technological • Creating clean technologies.
approach.

Technological Approach 1960’s and Earlier

•Clean technologies
- produce less or no waste at all
• Purification technologies Production WASTE Disposal
Disposal
- merely shift pollution from one form to
another

Waste Minimization Techniques

Waste Management Hierarchy Waste
Minimization
Techniques
Source Reduction
Source
Waste Minimization Recycling
Recycling Reduction

Product Source Use and

Treatment Changes Control Reuse
Reclamation

Disposal Input Technology Good

Material Changes Operating
Changes Procedures

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Not Source Reduction Not Source Reduction

•Incineration, thermal, chemical or •Actions that dilute waste after it is
biological decomposition, stabilization, generated to reduce its hazardous
solidification, or encapsulation. characteristics.
•Actions that concentrate the
constituents of waste to reduce its •Actions that shift waste from one
volume (although this way be part of a environmental medium to another.
recycling alternative.)

Changes in Operating Practices

Input Material Changes
• Basically what the employees do in performing
their duties and responsibilities. •Input Material changes (also called
• Can achieve significant results with little or no material substitution) accomplish waste
capital requirement. minimization by reducing or eliminating
• Includes preventing spills, proper storage practices, hazardous or pollutive materials.
establishment of emergency procedures and
preventive maintenance, and proper calibration of
instruments.

Input Material Changes

INDUSTRY SUBSTITUTE ORIGINAL Product Changes
Printing Water-based Ink Solvent-based Ink
• Performed by the manufacturer with the intent of reducing
Textile Nonphosphate-containing Phosphate-containing
chemicals chemicals waste during production and/or during use of the product.
Electronic Ozone Organic Biocides • Include product redesigning or changes in product
Components composition, product substitution.
Pharmaceutical Water-based tablet coating Solvent-based tablet
-Chemically treated wood poles to concrete utility poles
coating
Fastener Zinc Coating Cadmium coating - Solvent-based paint to water-based paint
Electroplating Alkaline non-cyanide sol’ns Cyanide Solutions - Cloth lunch bag or shopping bag or the local “bayong”
Energy Low Sulfur fuel oil High sulfur fuel oil instead of paper bag.
Printed Circuit Boards Water-based developing Solvent-based developing
Detergent Hard alkyl benzyl sulfonate Linear alkyl benzyl
sulfonate

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Recycling Wastes Characterization

• Involves returning process “waste” either to the
generating process or to another process as an input process by which any material is examined for
material.
• Can be done on site or off site recycling characteristics or constituents of concern for:
• On site recycling is the reuse of waste materials at the
site of generation • manner of transportation
• Off-site recycling involves transporting the waste to a • disposal within regulatory guidelines.
commercial recycler who processes the wastes and
return the material to the original generator or sells it
to another industrial customer.

TOXIC & HAZARDOUS WASTES 4 regulatory characteristics of hazardous

This waste is considered
waste
“toxic” if:
•Ignitability
•it has an oral LD50 for a rat of
less than 500 mg/kg.
•Corrosivity
• the container that the chemical •Reactivity
came in identifies it as a toxic or
poisonous material. •Toxicity
• the chemical is a known or
suspected carcinogen, mutagen
or teratogen.

Hazardous Waste: define

Hazardous Substances
• Substances that are without any safe commercial, industrial, • Short term acute hazard such as acute toxicity by
agricultural or economic usage and are shipped, transported or ingestion, inhalation or skin absorption, corrosivity or
brought from the country of origin for dumping or disposal into other skin or eye contact hazard or the risk of fire or
or in transit through any part of the territory of the Philippines. explosion.

• By-product, side products, process residues, spent reaction • Long term environmental hazards including chronic
media, contaminated plant or equipment or other substances
from manufacturing operations and as consumer discard of
toxicity upon repeated exposure, carcinogenicity,
manufactured products which present unreasonable risk
resistance to detoxification process such as
and/or injury to health and safety and to the environment. biodegradation, the potential to pollute underground
or surface waters, or aesthetically objectionable
properties such as offensive odors.

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Hazardous wastes exhibit any one of the following Ignitable wastes are capable of causing or
characteristics, and here is a little TRIC(K) to intensifying a fire during routine handling. A waste
remember them: is characteristic for ignitability if it has any one of
the following properties:
T Toxicity Wastes that causes health or
environmental effects • a liquid with a flash point less than 140 o F (60o C)
• a solid, capable under standard temperature and pressure, of
causing fire through friction, absorption of moisture, or
R Reactivity Wastes that readily explodes of spontaneous chemical changes, and when ignited, burns
undergo violent reaction. vigorously and persistently.
• an ignitable compressed gas
Wastes that easily catch on fire • an oxidizer.
I Ignitability
and sustain combustion
Acetone Ethyl ether Pentane
most organic
Wastes that are acidic or alkaline Benzene Heptane Petroleum Ether
C Corrosivity solvents Ethanol Hexane Toluene
that readily corrode or dissolve
Ethyl acetate Methanol Xylene
materials they are in contact with.

Corrosive wastes: A waste has the characteristic of corrosivity • cyanide or sulfide bearing waste which, when exposed to pH
if it has one of the following properties: conditions between 2 and 12.5, can generate toxic gases,
vapors or fumes in a quantity sufficient to present a danger to
• an aqueous waste with pH 2 or less, OR pH 12.5 or greater; human health or the environment;
• a liquid that corrodes steel at a rate greater than 6.35mm • is capable of detonation or explosive reaction if subjected to
(0.25 inches) per year. a strong initiating source or heated under confinement;
A waste has the characteristic of reactivity if it: • is readily capable of detonation or explosive;
• is normally unstable and readily undergoes violent change • is a forbidden explosive or a Class A or Class B explosive.
without detonating;
• reacts violently with water;
Toxic wastes are harmful or fatal when ingested or absorbed.
• forms potentially explosive mixtures with water;
When they are disposed of on land, contaminated liquid may
• mixes with water to generates toxic gases, vapors or fumes
drain (leach) from the waste and pollute groundwater.
in a quantity sufficient to present a danger to human health or
the environment;

How to Reduce Laboratory Waste

Benefits of Reducing laboratory
1. Look at purchasing procedures. Buy only what is needed,
• saving money and reducing disposal costs reducing wastage due to expiry.
• encourages safety in the lab 2. Find a reliable supplier who will deliver small amounts of
chemicals at short notice. Ask if they will take back unused
chemicals.

3. A centralised purchasing programme should be considered. This

means that all orders are placed with a delegated person who may
be able to take advantage of bulk pricing.

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4. All chemicals and wastes in the lab should be labelled. A

waste chemical has no use. This labelling system should be
How to Reuse Laboratory Waste
standardised. Reusing an item is often the best way of
5. Separate waste into the following streams for treatment, reducing waste.
reuse or disposal:
• Sharps including scalpels and syringes; 1. Try to incorporate recovery activities during the
• Glassware; experiment.
• Biological samples; 2. A chemical swap might be possible with other
• General lab waste such as wipes, gloves, tissue; institutions in your area.
• Chemicals.

3. All wastes should be segregated based on chemical Recycle Laboratory Waste

incompatibilities e.g. hazardous and non-hazardous wastes
should not be mixed together. The same is true of organic 6. Some material generated in the lab will be non-hazardous
and inorganic waste. waste such as paper and packaging waste that can be
recycled. To promote and encourage recycling of this
4. Waste consisting of the same material type can be material place recycling bins in the lab.
segregated.
7. Make sure the recycling bin is labelled clearly by placing a
5. Waste streams that are capable of being recycled should label on the bin stating paper only, ensuring that hazardous
be stored separately i.e. recoverable metals or solvents. wastes such as chemicals are not placed in the bin.

Disposal of Laboratory Waste

8. Bins for the collection of hazardous materials should be 1. Lab glassware is not suitable for recycling, as its melting point is
placed in the lab. These should be emptied regularly and higher than that of conventional glass. Broken glassware should
looked after by lab personnel/technicians. be collected in puncture proof containers and disposed of in large
containers by technical staff. It is not to be placed in a normal
waste bin.
9. All waste from the lab should be collected by a waste
collector with a valid waste collection licence, specialised in 2. Sharps such as syringes and scalpel blades should be collected in
hazardous waste collection licensed to treat and dispose of containers labelled “Sharps”.
the waste.
3. Biological waste such as agar plates, waste from dissections etc.
should be separated and collected separately. Where
appropriate this can be autoclaved.

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METHOD OF DISPOSAL SEWER SYSTEMS AND LIMITATIONS

Only water soluble substances should be disposed of in the laboratory

sink. Solutions of flammable solvents must be sufficiently dilute that they do
Methods used to manage and dispose of hazardous wastes in the not pose a fire hazard.
Laboratory include:
Strong acids and bases should be diluted to the pH 3-10 range before they
are poured into the sewer system. Acids and alkalis should not be poured
into the sewer drain at a rate exceeding the equivalent of 50 ml of
INCINERATION--most environmentally acceptable method concentrated substance per minute.
of chemical waste disposal. Combustion of organic materials
with excess oxygen at high temperatures for sufficient time “Toxic substances” for the purposes of these codes are defined as any
substance or substances whether gaseous, liquid or solid, which when
results in degradation to elemental constituents or by- discharged to the sewer system in sufficient quantities may tend to interfere
products that are easier to handle in an environmentally with an sewage treatment process, or create a hazard to recreation in the
acceptable manner. receiving waters of the effluent from the sewage treatment plant.

a) DISCHARGES ABSOLUTELY PROHIBITS a) DISCHARGES ABSOLUTELY PROHIBITS

• Any water or waste containing readily releasable cyanide • Any gasoline, benzene, naphtha, fuel oil, or other flammable or
(cyanide released at a temperate of 150oF (65o C) and pH – explosive liquids, solids or gases.
1.5) in excess of 2 mg/L; any water or waste containing total
cyanide in excess of 5 mg/L. • Any water or waste containing fats, wax, grease or oils whether
emulsified or not, in excess of 100 mg/L r containing
• Any liquids or wastes containing toxic or poisonous substances substances which may solidify or become viscous at
in sufficient quantities or rate of flow as to injure or interfere temperatures between 33 o Fahrenheit and 105 o Fahrenheit (1
with any of the sewage and 65° Centigrade)

• Any waters or wastes having a pH lower than 3.0 or higher

than 10 or having any other corrosive property that might
cause damage or hazard to structure, equipment of the
sewerage system, or personnel employed in it operations.

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C. LIQUID CHEMICAL WASTES (FLAMMABLE)

C. LIQUID CHEMICAL WASTES (FLAMMABLE)
• Some solvents (ethers and secondary alcohols) form
explosive peroxides on standing.
-waste solvents that are free of solids and corrosive or reactive
substances collected in a common bottle or can, which is taken
• Some reactions can cause explosions directly (acetone
off site when full. Consider exactly what mixtures will go into the
plus chloroform in the presence of a base).
can and whether the substances involved are compatible.
• Others acid base interactions can generate sufficient
Segregation into 2-3 types of waste is often useful, (e.g.
heat to vaporize or ignite flammable materials such as
chlorinated solvents, hydrocarbons. Because chlorinated
CS2. The addition of hot materials can cause the
solvents form HCl on combustion, they often must be segregated
buildup of pressure in a tightly closed solvent container,
from materials destined for incineration.
with the potential for compressive ignition.

• The acid formed when halogenated solvents are left

moist can corrode cans.

ETHER DISPOSAL
Each section in the lab will collect hazardous wastes in a one
gallon bottle, and each container is properly labeled as Ethyl ether should be disposed when ANY ONE of the
follows: following criteria are met:
a) The date collection begin in this container a. Ether has reached the expiration date stamped
on the original container.
b) Where generation took place, room number b. 1 year has expired since the production of
ether. The date is stamped on the original container.
c) If the contents are primarily of one material, ex. Acetone,
identify the contents with the name of the material, If the c. 30 days has elapsed since the container was
contents are a mixture of materials, give the percentage of opened for the first time.
each.
TO DISPOSE OF ETHER:
d) Give the total number of containers.
Ether should be “Lab. Packed”
e) Check all of the appropriate hazards.

Hg DISPOSAL CAUTION – WASTE MATERIAL

Collect Hg salts into a 4 liter unbreakable container and DATE: GENERATOR ID: LOCATION OF
label with complete waste material I.D. form. GENERATION:
NAME OF MATERIAL: FORM: NUMBER OF
HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL FORM CONTAINERS:
Describe contents giving HAZARD INFORMATION:
Laboratory Name
Label – “CAUTION - WASTE MATERIAL” Components, concentrations, Check all that you think apply and
Attached to a compatible, non-leaking container with a non-leaking information reference
sealable closure, the following label when properly completed meets
___ ACIDIC ___ FLAMMABLE
these requirements:
A. Identifies and qualifies the chemical components in the containers ___ BASIC ___ NEUTRAL
B. Establishes the date when the filling process began. ___ BIOHAZARD ___ OXIDIZER
C. Identifies the hazard(s) associated with the contents of the container ___ BURNS READILY ___ REACTIVE
D. Identifies the person who served as generator and the location where ___ CARCINOGEN ___ REDUCER
generation too place. ___ EXPLOSIVE

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GUIDELINES FOR DISPOSAL OF LABORATORY HAZARDOUS WASTES GUIDELINES FOR DISPOSAL OF LABORATORY HAZARDOUS WASTES

Incineration
Ethers Dilution with higher boiling point
PREFERRED METHOD OF
COMPOUND CLASS alcohols may be necessary
DISPOSAL Mercaptans Incineration
Hydrocarbons Incineration Organosulfer compounds Incineration or disposal site
Carbocyclic acids Incineration
Halogenated HC Recycling Other organic acids Incineration
Recoverable halogenated HC Landfill Acid halides and anhydrides
Incineration or hydrolysis in sewer
disposal
Other acids derivatives, ester, anides
Incineration or some prior Incineration
Other halogenated and nitriles
hydrolysis with Ethynolic Aldehydes and ketones Incineration
compounds
Potassium Hydroxide Amines Incineration
Incineration or landfill except those
Alcohols and Phenols Incineration Nitro compounds
know to be explosive
Organic peroxides and hydro peroxides Incineration or decomposition
Dyes and pigments Incineration

INORGANIC CHEMICALS INORGANIC CHEMICALS

Chemicals in which neither cation nor anion presents Chemicals in which neither cation nor anion presents
significant hazard. significant hazard.
PREFERRED METHOD OF PREFERRED METHOD OF
COMPOUND CLASS COMPOUND CLASS
DISPOSAL DISPOSAL
Soluble compounds Decant into sewer Chemical decomposition and
Metal fluorides
sewer disposal
Insoluble compounds Sanitary landfill
Chemical decomposition and
Chemical with toxic cationic Inorganic cyanides
Secure landfill sewer disposal
element
Chemical decomposition and
Chemical with toxic anionic Incineration or chemical Metal azides
sewer disposal
component decomposition
Metal anides Dispose of as explosives
Oxidizing agents Reduction and sewer disposal
Incineration of chemical
Metal hydrides Chemical decomposition Alkaline metals
decomposition and sewer disposal
Metal sulfides Chemical decomposition Organometallic chemical Incineration or secure landfill

Requirements for Proper Hazardous Waste Cleaning Glassware

Management
1. Use 2-3 mL solvent to rinse residual organic compounds from the
glassware into a waste beaker.
• Per DAO 2004 -36 • The compounds should be highly soluble in the solvent. The default solvent is often
acetone as it is inexpensive, relatively nontoxic, and dissolves most organic
-Designation of a Pollution Control Officer compounds.
-Compliance with Storage Requirements • Reuse acetone ("wash acetone") as the solvation ability is not spent after a few uses.
• the purpose of acetone rinse is to dissolve organic residue in a flask. Not everything
-A Hazardous Waste Generator shall comply with the dissolves in acetone, for example ionic salts are insoluble in acetone and are more
successfully rinsed out with water.
requirements of RA 6969
2. After a preliminary rinse, glassware should then be washed with soap and
water at the bench.

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• Residual acetone will likely evaporate from the Acid Washing

flask, but it is acceptable for small quantities of 5% HCl, aqueous for acid cleaning glassware is
residual acetone to be washed down the drain. used in ensuring that glassware or plasticware is
• If using undiluted detergent from the store, it is acid/chemically cleaned prior to solution
best to use small amounts during washing as preparation and/or performing any silver, Iron or
they tend to form thick foams that need lots of calcium staining procedures
rinsing…use dilute soap solutions. a. Before proceeding with acid cleaning, all
glassware/plasticware should be cleaned with a
• Rinse all glassware with a few mL of tap water. lab grade detergent, washed and rinsed.
*Most new glass is slightly alkaline and
3. Acid washing should be washed upon receipt in the laboratory
and prior to initial use

PROCEDURE NOTES: c. Use appropriate safety precautions and pour

sufficient 5% HCl, into glassware; gently swirl to
1. Fresh aqueous 5% HCl, should be used with every batch of ensure that all surfaces have been thoroughly coated
glassware acid chemically cleaned. The solution can be reused with the solution.
on multiple pieces of glassware/plasticware that are d. Repeat this process for all glassware/plasticware to
be used in a procedure that requires acid cleaning,
acid/chemically cleaned at the same time. including; bottles, beakers, flasks, Coplin jars,
graduated cylinders, stir rods, pipettes,
2. Neutralize dilute HCl 5%, with 1 Mghydrozide/oxide, NaCO3 or thermometers and any lids for bottles or jars
NaHCO3 and/or dispose of according to local and national 4. Rinse all glassware/plasticware with a minimum of
environmental regulations. four changes of distilled water, ensuring that all
surfaceshave been rinsed well and no residual 5%
HCl, remains.
5.Store wet glassware in a locker atop paper towels to
http://www.newcomersupply.com/documents/other/Hydrochl
evaporate
oric%20Acid%205%20percent.12086.pdf

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b. What represents suitable disposal?

a. How can stubborn residues be avoided? Collection containers for disposal must be appropriate to the intended
content. The disposal vessels must never be closed tight during us to
-removing coarse residue manually before cleaning. prevent pressure build-up.

When there are very stubborn types of contamination it is Solvent waste is cost effective as many chemicals can be disposed of
recommended that the items to be cleaned are put in an immersion relatively cheaply in this way. The mixture of different reagents does
bath with cleaning agents. however present a risk of chemical reactions which cannot be
predicted. Reactive chemicals may therefore only be added to the
Autoclaving should be carried out if the biological material requires it. disposal vessel in small quantities.

Acids and alkaline solutions must be neutralised prior to disposal.

c. Which wastes/residues are separated on disposal and on what basis? What requirements must a cleaning agent meet?

Solvent waste is disposed of separately in two categories: halogen-free The selection of the correct cleaning agent is linked to the type of
and halogen-containing solvents. soiling to be removed and the framework conditions such as time,
material properties and mechanical system which can be used.
Filtration and absorption masses such as e.g. chromatography films are There are also a few fundamental requirements of a cleaning agent
collected in the plastic buckets provided for this purpose and passed e.g.:
on for disposal.
good ability to remove dirt not hazardous to health
Contaminated used oil from vacuum pumps is disposed of as special high dirt carrying capacity ideally non-scenting
waste. suitable on most surfaces very cost effective
good rinsing properties environmentally friendly
Broken glass is collected separate to other waste in the containers easy handling
provided.

Degree of Purity
In which work areas does disinfection play a role?
a. What does “clean glass” actually mean?
Disinfection plays a role in the following areas among others:
microbiology, pathology, diagnostics, histology, immunology and This means that the surface of the laboratory glass can be described as optically clean
and surfaces of the lab glass must also be free of residues which could affect the
production of cosmetics, medicines and foodstuffs.. analytical results.

When is disinfection absolutely necessary? b. How residue-free does the glass have to be?

In all areas in which personal protection against infectious With automated cleaning ,the program sequence will determine how many cleaning
material or the prevention of a transfer of germs (e.g. cosmetic stages occur. It can be assumed that the items cleaned have only minimal residues of
process chemicals on them. Trace element detection is important, or critical
agents, medicines etc.) are necessary. applications such as pharmaceutical production.

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SUSTAINABILITY AND ENVIRONMENT:

Maintenance and Quality Assurance Why does multiple use and preparation of laboratory glass make
ecological sense?
When should a laboratory glassware no longer be used?
Unlike plastic articles, articles made of laboratory glass can be used for
many years if used and prepared appropriately, thereby protecting the
• Surface damage changes the thermal and mechanical properties of environment. Laboratory glass is also made of natural raw materials.
the glass. Glass items with cracks, impact damage, scratches, stars,
chips and other visible damage should be separated and disposed of. Environmental compatibility of cleaning agents – What is the best
way of conserving the environment when using cleaning agents?

Sparing use of cleaning agents is a basic prerequisite for environmental

conservation. Manufacturers’ dosing recommendations should be adhered
to. This prevents wastage of chemicals through overdosing and repeated
cleaning due to underdosing is avoided.

Which cleaning agents are suitable for

laboratories?
• The cleaning agents ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS
used should not contain
any phosphates so that implemented by
the phosphate analysis
of the water samples is ENVIRONMENTAL
not distorted!
MANAGEMENT BUREAU
(EMB)

Rule II State Policy

Protect and advance the right of the people to healthful
Republic Act 8749 ecology.
Attain and maintain a balance between development and
The Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 environmental protection.
Maintain a quality of air that protects human health and
welfare
Rule III Air Quality Principles
Department Administrative Order 2000-81 Section 1
Promote and protect the global environment to attain
Implementation Rules and Regulations of R.A 8749 sustainable development
Responsibility of cleaning the habitat and environment is
primarily area based and that the AQMC is not effective at the
level of airshed.
Polluters must pay principle - Economic instrument in AQMC.
Clean and Healthy environment is the concern of everybody.

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• Rule LVI “Penalties for other Violations and other provisions under the ACT” R.A 9275
• Section 1 to 12 “The Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004”
• Burning of waste 2 years and 1 day to 4 years imprisonment. Salient Features
Signed March 22, 2004
• Burning of hazardous substances and waste - 4 years and one day to 6
years imprisonment. • Facts:
• Burning of biomedical waste - 4 years and 1 day to 6 years imprisonment.
• Smoking in public places- 6 months and 1 day to 1 year imprisonment or • Only 51% of the country’s classified rivers still met the standard.
fine of Php10,000 • Domestic wastewater is the principal cause of organic pollution.
• Manufacture, Sales, introduction to commerce, conveyance, • Only 3% of investment in water supply and sanitation were
going on to sanitation and sewerage treatment.
transportation of fuel - 3 years and 1 day to 5 years imprisonment.
• Metro Manila is second to the lowest in sewer connection
• Manufacture of fuels and fuels additives - 2 years and 1 day to 4 years among major cities in Asia and less than 7% compared to 20%
• misfuelling - 1 year and 1 day to 3 years imprisonment or a fine of Php for Katmandu and 30% for Dhaka, Bangladesh.
20,000. • 30% of all illnesses are attributed to polluted waters.
• DENR shall prepare the schedule of fines and the ranges shall be not less
than Php10,000 and not more than Php100,00.

Discouraged Wastewater discharge:

Salient Features
• Anyone discharging wastewater into the water body will have
• What is the Clean Water Act? to pay wastewater charge

It aims to protect the country’s water bodies from pollution from all • Effluent trading per management area.
sources (industries, commercial establishment, agriculture and
community/household activities). • Rewards for discharger whose discharge is better than the
quality of the receiving body of water.
It provides for a comprehensive and integrated strategy to prevent and
minimize pollution through a multi-sectoral and participatory approach • Fiscal and Non-fiscal incentives for LGU’s Water District,
enterprise, private entities and individuals who develop and
involving all stakeholders. undertake outstanding and innovative projects in water
quality management

• Prohibited Acts: • Fines and Penalties:

• Discharging or depositing any water pollutants to the water • Through PAB for discharging untreated wastewater - not less than
body, or will impede waste flow PHP10,000 but not more than PHP200,000 per day.
• Discharging, injecting or allowing to enter into the soil, • Failure to Clean up:
anything that would pollute ground water. • Imprisonment of not less than 2 years and not more than 4 years.
• Operating facilities that discharge regulated water pollutants • Fines of not less than PHP50,000 and not more than PHP100,000 per day
without valid required permits. of violation.
• Disposal of potentially infectious medical waste into sea by • Refusal to Clean up resulting to serious or loss of life,
vessels. irreversible water contamination of surface, ground, coastal and
• Unauthorized transport or dumping into waters of sewage marine:
sludge or solid waste as defined under R.A 9003 • imprisonment of not less than 6 years and 1 day and not more than 12
• Transport, dumping or discharging of prohibited chemicals years and fine of PHP500,000 per day.
substance or pollutants listed under R.A 6969. • Gross Violation
• Discharge regulated water pollutants without valid required • Fine of not less than PHP500,000 but not more than PHP3,000,000 per day.
discharge permit. • Imprisonment of not less than 6 yrs but not more than 10 yrs
• Or both at the discretion of the court.

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Presidential Decree 1586 R.A. 6969

“Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System”
“Toxic Substances & Hazardous
• To facilitate the attainment and maintenance of a
& Nuclear Wastes Control Act”
rational and orderly balance between economic
growth and environmental protection for the benefit mandates
of the present and future generations • to control and manage of import, manufacture, process,
distribution, use, transport, treatment and disposal of toxic
substances and hazardous and nuclear waste in the country.

• RA 6969 passed by the Congress of the Philippines

in July 1990 and directs the DENR to establish rules,
regulations, and programs for controlling chemical
substances and hazardous wastes in the Philippines WASTEWATER
CHARACTERISTICS

Organic Matter: BOD

BOD BOD 520 - amount of oxygen required by

COD bacteria to stabilize decomposable
Coliform
organic matter under aerobic
conditions.
Solids (TDS, MLSS)
Color
pH
Temperature

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Organic Matter: COD Pathogen Indicator

E.coli
COD - measure of the amount of - Statistical indication of the presence of
oxidizable compounds; for both recent human pathogen contamination in
biodegradable and recalcitrant terms of MPN/100 mL.
organic carbon.
- Escherichia coli is not a pathogen.
UPD-NEC

Solids Color

Color - Measured by comparing a sample to the

Wastewater contains: standard in Primary Color Units (PCU);
99.98% water - Has effect on turbidity of ponds. Turbidity
0.02% solids indicates the presence of colloidal matter.
- Relates to septic conditions.

Solids: TS, SS, TSS

TDS - total dissolved solids
TSS - Total suspended solids
VS - volatile solids

pH Temperature

pH - is the measure of acidity or Temperature

alkalinity of wastewater, which
directly relates to its degree of
- is an indicator biological activity and
corrosiveness.
suitability for beneficial uses.
- The concentration range
- Different flora, fauna, and microbes
favorable for most biological life
thrive on a narrow temperature range.
is also narrow and critical.
- It also dictates the amount of dissolved
oxygen in the water.

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Nutrients: TP and TKN Chlorine and Chloride

Total Phosphorus Chlorine

- Excesses in phosphorus cause algal blooms and - Recommended level of at least 1 mg/L of total chlorine
imbalance in biological activity. to maintain microbiological quality in the distribution
system. An adverse result occurs if free chlorine <0.05
mg/L and total chlorine <0.25 mg/L.
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen
- TKN is the total of organic and ammonia nitrogen. Chloride
- Nitrite nitrogen is extremely toxic to fish and aquatic - is a measure of salinity.
animals; It can be removed by chlorine
- Nitrate nitrogen has serious effects on infants.

Priority Pollutants
Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG)
Name USE CONCERN
Non-Metals
Alloying additive for metals: Carcinogen and
Fats and oils usually originate from the food industry in the Arsenic semicon, boiler tubes, cable mutagen
form of butter, lard, margarine, and vegetable oils, and from Electronics, computer cores, Depression,
Selenium rectifiers, colorant for glass Weakness
meat processing. Metals
Deoxidizer for copper, spark- Nerve block,
Kerosene, lubricating, and road oils are derived from petroleum
Barium plug alloys, X-ray tubes Powder-flamm.
and coal tar. Metal an ceramic application, Carcinogen,
Cadmium Ni-Cd batteries, Vapor lamps Powder-flamm.
FOGs interfere with biological action, cause maintenance
Alloying and plating element, Hexa Cr is
problems, and create unsightly floating matter and films on Chromium Protective coating, Pigments carcinogenic
surface waters.. Storage batteries, gasoline Brain and
Lead additive, piping, ammunition kidney damage
Electrical apparatus, Central nervous
Mercury instruments, lamps system damg.
Photo chemicals, linings, Toxic metal,
Silver mirror, laboratory, medicine eyes, skin prb.

Priority Pollutants

Name USE CONCERN

Organic Cpds.
Chemical production, solvent, Carcinogen,
WHAT
Benzene detergents, monomer flammable

Ethylbenzene
Intermediate in styrene
production, solvent
Toxic and
irritant
IS YOUR
Aviation gasoline, solvents for Toxic,
Xylene paints, dyes, adhesives
Plastics, paint removers,
Halogenated Cpds. solvents, degreasers
flammable
Carcinogen,
narcotic
ROLE?
Insecticides, fumigants, Toxic,
Pesticides pesticides, herbicides persistent

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Advocate the use of chemical-

• Promote use of cleaner technologies and friendly products and support sustainable
less or non-toxic chemicals and proper practices
and acceptable disposal

• Disseminate the use of Personal Protective

Equipment (PPE) at
the workplaces

• Know the basic of First Aid and Emergency

Preparedness and Response Trainings

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