Eligible academic entities are colleges, universities, teaching hospitals, and nonprofit research institutes that are either owned by or formally affiliated with a college or university. The rule applies to academic entities that are LQGs, SQGs, or CESQGs, and these generators have the option of complying with either the Academic Laboratory Rule or with applicable provisions for hazardous waste determination and satellite accumulation.
Managing Containers in the Laboratory
Container management requirements under the Academic Laboratory Rule are to ensure safe storage of unwanted material, to prevent leaks, spills, emissions to the air, adverse chemical reactions, and dangerous situations that may result in harm to human health or the environment.
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Proper container management includes ensuring that containers are:
- Maintained and kept in good condition, and damaged containers are replaced, overpacked, or repaired
- Compatible with their contents to avoid reactions between the contents and the container, and are made of, or lined with, material that is compatible with the unwanted material so that the container’s integrity is not impaired
- Kept closed at all times, except when adding, removing, or bulking unwanted material, or when venting of a container is necessary:
- For the proper operation of laboratory equipment, such as with in-line collection of unwanted materials from high performance liquid chromatographs, or
- To prevent dangerous situations, such as buildup of extreme pressure
Container Labels in the Lab
Containers of unwanted material must be labeled while in the laboratory. This information must be affixed or attached to the container:
- The words "unwanted material" or another equally effective term that is to be used consistently by the eligible academic entity and that is identified in Part I of the LMP.
- Sufficient information to alert emergency responders to the contents of the container. Examples of information that would be sufficient to alert emergency responders to the contents of the container include the name of the chemicals and the type or class of chemical, such as organic solvents or halogenated organic solvents.
If not affixed or attached to the container, the following information must at a minimum be associated with the container:
- The date that the unwanted material first began accumulating in the container.
- Information sufficient to allow a trained professional to properly identify whether an unwanted material is a solid and hazardous waste and to assign the proper hazardous waste codes. Examples of information that would allow a trained professional to properly identify whether an unwanted material is a solid or hazardous waste include:
- The name and/or description of the chemical contents or composition of the unwanted material, or, if known, the product of the chemical reaction,
- Whether the unwanted material has been used or is unused, and
- A description of the manner in which the chemical was produced or processed, if applicable.
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Working Containers
Under the Academic Laboratory Rule, a working container is defined as a small container (i.e., 2 gal or less) that is in use at a laboratory bench, hood, or other workstation to collect unwanted material from a laboratory experiment or procedure.
A working container may be open until the end of the procedure or work shift, or until it is full, whichever comes first, at which time the working container must either be closed or the contents emptied into a separate container that is then closed.
See tomorrow’s Advisor for what’s involved when you have to remove the waste from the lab.