4 STORAGE AND DISPOSAL OF TOXIC AND FLAMMABLE MATERIALS

References

• The nucleus of the present chapter was provided by a written elaboration of a section of the paper ‘Fire Prevention’ given by Peter Diamond at the Institute of Paper Conservation's 1977 conference on Safety in the Paper Conservation Laboratory. The present editor has considerably expanded this section by utilising or condensing information from those publications listed here as references. The most important general sources of information on this subject include:
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• Bretherick , L. 1981 . Hazards in the Chemical Laboratory, , 3rd ed. , London : Royal Society of Chemistry .
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• Dominguez , G. S. October 11 1976 . Guidebook: Toxic Substances Control Act, Cleveland 1977 (and the U.S. legislation it refers to: Toxic Substances Control Act October 11 , Public Law 94–469
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• Emergency Procedures for Dangerous Materials, wall chart , Croydon : Cambrian Chemicals .
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• 1979 . Emergency Response Guide for Dangerous Goods , Toronto : Ministry of Supply and Services Canada .
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• Gaston , P. J. 1965 . The Care, Handling and Disposal of Dangerous Chemicals , Aberdeen : Institute of Science Technology .
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• 1972 . A Guide for Safety in the Chemical Laboratory, , 2nd ed. , New York : Manufacturing Chemists' Association .
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• 1976 . Hazchem Scale for Fire or Spillage , London : Her Majesty's Stationery Office .
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• Hedburg , D. D. 1982 . Clean-up of chemical spills in labs, Best's Safety Directory Vol. 2 , 1260 – 1265 . Oldwick, N.J. (Reprinted from National Safety News, National Safety Council, Chicago, March 1981)
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• Laboratory Waste Disposal Manual, Manufacturing Chemists' Association, Washington, D.C. (this text was also included as a section of the MCA's Guide to Safety in the Chemical Laboratory, 1972, op.cit.).
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• NIOSH/OSHA Occupational Health Guidelines for Chemical Hazards, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 81–123. January 1981.
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• General Industry, OSHA Safety and Health Standards, (29 CFR 1910). U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA 2206, Revised June 1981.
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• Powers , P. W. 1976 . How to Dispose of Toxic Substances and Industrial Wastes Park Ridge, N.J.
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• Ross , E. D. 1968 . Industrial Waste Disposal New York
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• Sittig , M. How to Remove Pollutants and Toxic Materials from Air and Water: A Practical Guide
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• 1977 . Spillages of Hazardous Chemicals, Wall chart , Poole : British Drug Houses Chemicals Ltd (BDH) .
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• 1977 . The Storage of Highly Flammable Liquids , London : Health and Safety Executive Guidance Note GS2, Her Majesty's Stationery Office .
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• Treatment and Disposal of Wastes, World Health Organisation Technical Report Series, No 367, 1967
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• Voeglein , J. F. 1966 . Storage and disposal of dangerous chemicals . Journal of Chemical Education , 45 February : A151
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• Williams , L. R. , Calliga , E. and Thomas , R. W. 1979 . Hazardous Materials Spills Monitoring Safety Handbook and Chemical Hazard Guide , Las Vegas : Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency .
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• Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, NFPA 30–78 , National Fire Protection Association .
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• 1981 . General Industry, OSHA Safety and Health Standards 168 169 op. cit, 1910.106, Flash points and flammable ranges of specific flammable and combustible liquids are given in NFPA's National Fire Protection Handbook. Fire Protection for Laboratories using Chemicals, NFPA 231–1979. National Fire Protection Association
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• McCann , M. 1979 . Artist Beware 67 – 69 . New York An important observation is made by McCann regarding the United States, The above(NFPA) definitions of flammability and combustibility are used by OSHA and most municipalities. However, consumer products bought in hardware stores and an supply stores—including paint removers, aerosol spray, and thinners come under the jurisdiction of the Federal Hazardous Substances Act IFHSAI, which has different definitions of flammability and combustibility. Under the FHSA, a consumer product must be labeled extremely flammable if its flash point is below 20° F(−7°C). flammable if its flash point is between 20° and 80°F (-7° and + 27°C), and combustible if its flash point is between 80° and 150°F (27° and 66°C). Examples of extremely flammable liquids are acetone, hexane, benzol (benzene), gasoline and ethyl ether.
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• The basic difference between the two definitions lies with liquids with flash points between 80° and 100°F (27° and 38°C). Liquids in this category are defined as flammable Class IC liquids by the NFPA No. 30, but are defined as combustible by the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. The most common liquids in this catergory are turpentine, xylol (xylene), styrene (polester resins), and some components of lacquer thinners. This difference can become important on hot days, when the temperature in your studio might reach the flash point of these liquids. In this case they should be considered as flammable. Class IIIA liquids are not combustible according to the Hazardous Substance Control Act. Further, aerosol sprays which are labelled flammable under FHSA are considered by NFPA No. 30 to fall within Class I.
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• 1972 . The Highly Flammable Liquids and Liquefied Petroleum Gases Regulations 1972 , Department of the Environment Statutory Instruments . No. 917, Her Majesty's Stationery Office London, 1975
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• 1974 . Flammable Liquids and Liquefied Petroleum Gases Order 1974 , Department of the Environment Statutory Instruments . No. 1587, Her Majesty's Stationery Office London 1974
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• 1974 . The Abstract of Special Regulations (Highly Flammable Liquids and Liquefied Petroleum Gases), Order 1974 , Department of the Environment Statutory Instruments . No. 1587, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London 1974
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• 1981 . General Industry, OSHA Safety and Health Standards 167 201 op. cit., 1910. 106
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• For further data concerning flammable liquids and gases see: Fire-Hazard Properties of Flammable Liquids, Gases, and Volatile Solids, NFPA 325M-69, National Fire Protection Association.
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• Hazardous Chemicals Data, NFPA 49–1973. National Fire Protection Association.
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• Limits of Flammability of Gases and Vapours, U.S. Bureau of Mines, Bulletin No. 503.
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• Matrix of Combustion-Relevant properties and Classification of Gases, Vapours and Selected Solids, NMAB 353–1–9.
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• January 1945 . Properties of Flammable Liquids, Gases and Solids, Factory Mutual Solvent Data Sheet 3610 , January , Factory Mutual Insurance Company .
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• See also: Flammable Liquids in Small Containers, National Safety Council Data Sheet 1–532–78, Revised 1978, Chicago 1978 (Small containers are defined in this data sheet as those not exceeding 60 gallons (227 litres)
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• 1981 . General Industry, OSHA Safety and Health Standards 181 op cit, 1910 106
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• McCann , M . 1979 . Artist Beware 69 – 70 . op. cit.
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• 1969 . The following information on these safety devices is based on information contained in: Flammables Engineering Fundamentals and Catalogue of Safety Equipment Health and Safety at Work , 5 6 Flametamers International Ltd and the Protectoseal Company .
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• 1978 . Flammable Liquids in Small Containers 3 4 op. cit.
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• Guide to the Use of Flame Arrestors and Explosion Reliefs, Health and Safety at Work Series No 34 , London : Her Majesty's Stationery Office .
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• The Safe Transport of Chemicals and Solvents to the Laboratory, National Safety Council Research and Development Fact Sheet, Chicago (n.d.).
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• 1978 . Separate Storage of Solvents, National Safety Council Research and Development Fact Sheet, Chicago, August 1978 This publication is itself related to NFPA's , Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code . op. cit. It should be noted that the specifications here cited may not correspond exactly to local fire regulations and hazardous materials storage regulations which should be consulted
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• 1981 . General Industry, OSHA Safety and Health Standards 185 op. cit.
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• 1978 . The following is a summary of information contained in Inside Flammable Liquid Storage Room , Chicago : National Safety Council Research and Development Fact Sheet . which is itself based on NFPA's Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, 1978, op. cit.
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• National Electrical Safety Code ANSI C2–1977, American National Standards Institute. New York National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA 70, American National Standards Institute. New York & National Fire Protection Association.
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• 1975 . Standard for Intrinsically Safe Apparatus for Use in Class I Hazardous Locations and its Associated Apparatus, NFPA 493175 , National Fire Protection Association The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations . Department of the Environment Statutory Instruments, 1975, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London 1975
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• The Electricity Regulations, 1908, (SR & O: 1908) No 1312, as ammended by The Electricity (Factories) Act Special Regulations, (SR & O 1944). No 739, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London.
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• 1978 . Flammable Liquids in Small Containers 5 – 6 . op. cit.
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• 1981 . General Industry, OSHA Safety and Health Standards 182 op. cit., 1910.106, gives the following specifications for the construction of storage cabinets Metal cabinets constructed in the following manner shall be deemed to be in compliance The bottom, top, door, and sides of cabinet shall be at least No 18 gage sheet iron and double walled with 1 1/2-inch air space Joints shall be riveted, welded or made tight by some equally effective means The door shall be provided with a three-point lock, and the door sill shall be raised at least 2 inches above the bottom of the cabinet.
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• Wooden cabinets constructed in the following manner shall be deemed in compliance The bottom, sides. and top shall be constructed of an approved grade of plywood at least 1 inch in thickness, which shall not break down or delaminate under fire conditions All joints shall be rabbetted and shall be fastened in two directions with flathead wood-screws When more than one door is used, there shall be a rabbetted overlap of not less than one inch Hinges shall be mounted in such a manner as not to lose their holding capacity due to loosening or burning out of the screws when subjected to the fire test. Storage cabinets should be painted a colour such as safety yellow and carry appropriate and visible labels warning of the hazards their contents present It should also be noted that some storage cabinets have vents which are intended to be connected to piping/ducting to outside the building All too often when such cabinets are delivered to the laboratory/workshop these connections are not made so that the storage cabinets will not act effectively It should also be remembered that storage cabinets are time-rated and will not stop fire or explosion from spreading indefinitely but only long enough for evacuation of the premises.
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• A Guide for Safety in the Chemical Laboratory, Manufacturing Chemists' Association. 1972 (op. cit.).
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• Handling Hazardous Materials, Safe Work Practices Series, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA 2237, September 1975, pp 4, 5. General Industry, OSHA Safety and Health Standards, 1981, op cit., Subpart M, Compressed Gas and Compressed Air Equipment, pp 352–363.
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• Safe Handling of Compressed Gases Pamphlet CGA P-1 (1965), Compressed Gas Association, New York McCann, M., Artist Beware, 1979, op. cit., pp 73, 74 standard for the Storage and Handling of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, NFPA 56–76, National Fire Protection Association The Petroleum (Compressed Gases1 Order, 1930, (SR 1930 No 34, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London
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• American National Standard Compressed Gas Cylinder Valve Outlet and Inlet Connections, ANSI 6571–965 , New York : American National Standards Institute .
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• Compressed Gas Association standards for Visual Inspection of Compressed Gas Cylinders, C-6–1968 , New York : Compressed Gas Association .
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• American National Standard for Marking Portable Compressed Gas Containers to Identify the Material Contained, ANSI 2481–1954 , New York : American National Standards Institute .
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• 1973 . Identification of Contents of Industrial Gas Cylinders, BS 349 , London : British Standards Institute .
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• McCann , M. 1979 . Artist Beware 71 – 73 . op cit
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• Sax , I. 1979 . Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials, , 5th ed. 150 New York
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• 1972 . A Guide for Safety in the Chemical Laboratory , 215 Manufacturing Chemists' Association . op. cit.
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• Bretherick , L. 1981 . Hazards in the Chemical Laboratory 76 – 77 . op. cit.
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• Bretherick , L. 1979 . Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards An Indexed Guide to Published Data, , 2nd ed London Hazardous or Incompatible Chemicals likely to be encountered by Undergraduate Students, National Safety Council Research and Development Mini Data Sheet, Chicago 1975. See also
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• Manual of Hazardous Chemical Reactions, NFPA 491M-1971, National Fire Protection Association
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• Bretherick , L. 1981 . Hazards in the Chemical Laboratory 77 – 79 . op. Cit., These partial lists of the reactive and toxic hazards of incompatible chemicals are compiled from lists given in the following publications
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• A Guide for Safety in the Chemical Laboratory, Manufacturing Chemists' Association, 1972, op. cit. Safety in Academic Chemistry Laboratories, American Chemical Society, Committee on Chemical Safety, Washington, DC, August 1979 (3rd ed)
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• The principal sources for this section are listed above at the beginning of this reference section.
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• In the United Kingdom and North America, as in many other countries, there is an ever-increasing body of legislation at local and state, national and international levels designed to control the disposal of dangerous wastes The US Congress created the Clean Water Act in 1972 and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) in 1976, (Subpart C of which granted the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the editority to develop a nationwide programme for the regulation of hazardous wastes) The removal of waste from the workplace is subject to EPA regulations whether it is released into the air or water or disposed of as solid waste In the U.K. among the major acts and regulations are the Poisonous Waste Act 1972; The Control of Pollution Act 1974 (Commencement No. 9) Order 1977, Department of the Environment Statutory Instruments, 1977, No. 476 (C.17). Her Majesty's Stationery Office. London 1977; The Control of Pollution Act 1974 (Commencement No. 11) Order 1977, Department of the Environment Statutory Instruments. 1977, No. 2164 (C.74). Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London 1977, and of course the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work Act, 1974, (1975). Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London 1974.
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• Bretherick , L. 1981 . Hazards in the Chemica/Laboratory 156 op. cit., gives the following guidelines: A suitable non-flammable dispersing agent and hand pump sprays for dealing with small spillages of water-insoluble liquids are commercially available. It is generally desirable to use one volume of the dispersing agent for every two volumes of flammable, water-insoluble liquids that has been spill, together with 10 volumes of water. When this has been worked to an emulsion with a brush and run to waste, diluting greatly with running water, there is no risk of flammable vapour mixture developing in a drainage system. Less dispersant is needed with non-flammable water-insoluble liquid spillages. This procedure lends itself to laboratory spillages of up to 21/2 litres (Winchester quart) proportions.
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• The Manufacturing Chemists' Association in its Laboratory Waste Disposal Manual listed the following items as providing the ideal arsenal in case of spillage and for waste disposal in laboratory conditions (only the larger conservation establishments would be able to hold such a variety but it is useful in indicating the range from which items can be chosen for the individual needs of smaller laboratories): waste acetone (2 gal.); butyl alcohol (2 gal.); waste denatured alcohol (2 gal.); concentrated amonium hydroxide reagent 1400 ml of concentrated reagent grade NH4OH per litre of solution) (2 I); ammonium hydroxide (6M) (4 I); ammonium carbonate (2 × 1/b); waste benzene (2 gal.); calcium hypo-chlorite (2 × 1/b); calcium polysulphide (saturate one litre of concentrated lime water with hydrogen sulphide. Add excess sulphur. Shake); excelsior (box); fuels—scrap wood, paper, organic flammable solvents, ferrous sulphate (2 × 1/b); ferrous sulphate −30% 14 × 1); ferric chloride (2 × 1/b)(graphite powder (5/b); concentrated hydrochloric acid reagent (2 1); hydrochloric acid (6M) (requires 516 ml of concentrated HC1 per litre of solution); hydrogen sulphide (small cylinder), chipped ice; kaolin (2 × 5/b); kaolin/soda ash (50:501; 12 × 5/b); pulverised limestone (2 × 5/b); red & blue litmus paper (1 doz. vials each); marble chips (2 × 5/b.s); concentrated nitric acid reagent (2 11; waste paper boxes; potassium iodine (10%)—for peroxide rest; dv sand (2 × 10/bs.); sand/soda ash (90:10) (2 × 10/bs.); slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) (2 × 5/bs); soap powder 16 × 1/b.); soda ash (sodium carbonate) (2 × 5/bs); soda ash slaked lime (50:50) (2 × 10/bs.); sodium bicarbonate (2 × 5/bs.); sodium hydroxide −10% (4 1); sodium hydroxide −20% (4 1); sodium bisulphite (5/bs); sodium sulphite (5/bs.); sodium thiosulphate (hypo) (2 × 5/bs); sublimed sulphur (2 × 1/b); concentrated sulphuric acid reagent (21) sulphuric acid (3M) −336 ml of concentrated reagent H2SO4, per litre of solution; vermiculite (10/bs.).paper towels (1 doz rolls); aspirator bottle (mercury collector) 12); atomiser spray bottle (2); 3 or 4 litre size beakers (21; hand brush (6); plastic bucket (3 gal.); Bunsen burners; Liebeg condenser; 12 inch evaporating dish (2); extinguisher (Class D fires) (30/bs size); extinguisher (CO2) (10/bs. size); 1 litre distilling flask (2); heavy work gloves; leather gloves, neoprene gloves, butyl rubber gloves; iron pan -approximately 18 × 24 (for fume cupboard/hood); cloth laboratory coat; plastic laboratory coat; open-mesh rubber matting -to fit sink; mop and bucket; 10ml pipette -for peroxide test 14); respirator cannisters (1 each of appropriate type for hazards anticipated); self-contained breathing apparatus; safety glasses or goggles (2 pairs); plastic Scoop; body shield; large & heavy face shield −0.050—to cover ears & neck; stainless steel spray jar -insecticide type; 55 gal. oil drum—for use as a tank, hammer, pliers. crescent wrench, screwdrivers, wet/dry vacuum cleaner (Water-Vac).
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• The Safe Handling of Small Solvent Spills (5 Gallons or Less) in the Laboratory or Pilot Plant, National Safety Council Research and Development Fact Sheet, Chicago (n.d.)
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• Disposing of Small Batches of Hazardous Wastes. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, SW-562. 1976.
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• Regulatory Considerations for Hazardous Waste Disposal by Outside Contractors, National Safety Council Research and Development Fact Sheet, Chicago 1977.
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• Preparation of Hazardous Wastes for Disposal by Outside Contractor, National Safety Council Research and Development Fact Sheet. Chicago 1977.
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• Safe cleaning of containers which have held toxic materials can also pose a problem See: Cleaning Small Containers That Have Held Combustibles. National Safety Council Data Sheet 1–432–78 Revised 1978, Chicago.
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• In the United States in connection with the preparation for transport and the transport of dangerous wastes consult Hazardous Materials Regulations, Materials Transportation Bureau, US Department of Transportation, 49 CFR, General Services Administration, Washington, D.C. 1977.
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• In the event of an emergency in the transport of hazardous chemicals in the United States CHEMTREC can be called CHEMTREC is an acronym for Chemical Transportation Emergency Center, a 24-hour telephone service operated by the Chemical Manufacturers Association to provide hazard information warnings and guidance when emergencies occur that involve accidents or incidents in the transportation of chemicals The toll-free telephone number is 800 424 9300 for continental USA In emergencies, collect calls are accepted from Alaska, Hawaii, or the territories at 202 483 7616 CHEMTREC is strictly an emergency operation provided for fire, police and other emergency services It is not a source of general chemical information 01 a non-emergency nature.
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