Waste Management and Disposal for Artists and Schools. INSYITUTION Center for Safety in the Arts, Inc., New York, NY

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ED 368 604 SO 023 439

AUTHOR Babin, Angela; McCann, Michael TITLE Waste Management and Disposal for Artists and Schools. INSYITUTION Center for Safety in the Arts, Inc., New York, NY. Art Hazards Information Center. SPONS AGENCY Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D. C.; National Endowment for the Arts, Washington, D.C.; New York City Dept. of Cultural Affairs, NY.; New York State Council on the Arts, New York.; New York State Dept. of Labor, Albany. PUB DATE 92 NOTE 13p. AVAILABLE FROMCenter for Safety in the Arts, Inc., Art Safety Information, 5 Beekman Street, New York, NY 10038. PUB TYPE Reports Descriptive (141)

EDRS PRICE MF01/PC01 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS *Art Education; *Artists; *Art Materials; Elementary Secondary Education; Government Role; *Hazardous Materials; Higher Education; Pollution; *Waste Disposal; *Wastes; Water Resources IDENTIFIERS *Environmental Protection Agency

ABSTRACT Artists, art teachers, and students need to understand the problems associated with disposing of waste materials, some of which may be hazardous. The waste products of artprojects, even if non-hazardous, also use up space in overloadedlandfills. The Environmental Protection Agency (i:PA) sets forth guidelines for disposing of hazardous wastes. Hazardous waste disposal comes under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), while industrial wastewater discharges fall under the Clean Water Act (CWA). The EPA divides hazardous waste producers into large quantity, small quantity, and conditionally exempt small quantity generators of hazardous waste, each category of which must follow a particular set of regulations. Most artists and art educators produce too little liquid waste to require compliance with the CWA. However, certain art related industries, such as porcelain enameling and photographic processing, must comply with certain EPA standards. There are many types of solid waste. Among these are toxic waste, acutely hazardous waste, flammable waste, corrosive waste, ret ve waste, and leachable toxic waste. Waste management meth -., in order of preference, include: (1) elimination or reduc....on at the source; (2) separation or concentration; (3) exchange;(4) energy or material recovery;(5) incineration or treatment; and (6) secure land disposal. (SG)

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Waste Managementand Disposal

for U.S. DEPARTMENT OP EDUCATION (Ace of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) Zs document has beenreproduced tr.. eivad from the person or organization originsting Artists and Schools CI Moor changes have been madeto improve reproduction quality

Points of view or opinions stated inthis document do not necessarily representofficial OERI position or policy

By Angela Babin, M.S. and Michael McCann,Ph.D., C.I.H.

"PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY PVIA9EL

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TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)."

r'FRTertill' lifir.,YL 2 Introduction Regulations

Artists, art teachers and students often produce solid waste Legally, everyone - companies, schools, colleges, andeven ana sometimes liquid waste as a result of their art processes. individual artists - has to properly dispose of hazardous Much of this waste can be hazardous, leaving the problem waste.In the United States, the Environmental Protection of how to dispose of it safely and legally. Some waste, while Agency (EPA) regulates the disposal of hazardous waste non-hazardous, can be bulky and use upspace in our under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act overloaded landfills.Certain non-hazardous wastes can be (RCRA). Industrialwastewater dischargesarenot storage or fire hazards.For further information on these considered solid waste, and are regulated under the ERL. considerations, please see CSA's data sheets: Safe Storage Clean Water Act (CWA). There are special considerations and Handling of Chemicals, and Fire Prevention. for regulation of household wastes. The laws will be The most important concept in safe waste management is discussed in more detail below. to really know the materials, and the hazards involved. The primary step is defining if the material in question is actually RCRA a hazardous waste ornot. Understanding materials, including the The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) ingredients, chemicalreactivities,physical was enacted in 1976 as an amendment to the Solid Waste properties, and hazards involved in using, handling, storing, Disposal Act (SWDA). treating, or transporting is crucial. In most cases, RCRA can be administered by the individual states.The basic goals of RCRA are: to protect human health and the environment,to reduce waste and conserve energy and naturalresources, and to reduce or eliminate the generation of hazardous wasteas expeditiously as possible.Title 40, of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 240-281, has 10 subtitles of the Act, A thiough J.Of particular concern is Subtitle C, which refers directly to the management of hazardouswaste, (a subset of all solid waste as regulated in Subtitle D). Subtitle C (RCRA sections 3001- 3019 of the Act) was designed to prevent the mismanagement of hazardous waste. Specifically, the"cradle-to-grave" system establishes statutory and regulatory requirements for the identification of hazardous waste and generators, amongst other requirements. There is also the transfer of the responsibilities of Subtitle C from the federal government to the individualstates. Most of the states' hazardous wasteprograms resemble RCRA. One can contact individual state environmental offices to elucidate particular differences betweenstates. Recordkeeping is a critical part of wastemanagement. Records must be compiled and maintained. EPA requires that all hazardous waste records be kept for threeyears. Copies of all manifests and other documentationavailable should be retained for an indefinite time, because thereis no statute of limitations under RCRA. In fact, generatorsof hazardous wastes can be held responsible for damagecaused by their waste to both the environment andto personal property. The EPA also requires an emergency contingency plan, as per 40 CFR 262.34, thatcovers preparation for spills including the appointment of anemergency coordinator present or on call.

Hazardous Waste Generators Generators are the first link in the cradle-to-grave chainof hazardous waste management under RCRA. In thisbooklet, only this aspect of RCRA will be discussed. (Seereferences for more complete information.) There aredifferent categories of producers of waste art materials.The basic distinctions center around the amounts ofhazardous waste produced. State definitions may vary.

2 Household hazardous waste collection programs(HHWCPs), According to RCRA (40 CFR Part261), there are three are an ideal option forresidential artists, home hobbyists, categories of hazardous wastegeneratars: LQGs produce more and CESQGs. 1.Large Quantity Generators (LQG): There are two criteria thatregulate the exempt materials. than 1000 kilograms (2200pounds) per month of hazardous Firstly, materials must be generatedby individuals on the waste, or more than 1kg (2.2 lbs)/month of acutely premises of a temporary or permanentresidence, and hazardous waste. LQGs must obtain a US EPA secondly, they must be predominatelycomposed of materials identification number from their statehazardous waste in their homes regional office, and must found in the wastes generated by consumers management agency or EPA in their daily living. EPA haswritten the regulations so that including storage time, comply with all EPA requirements, wastes generated at singleand multiple residences, hotels quantity, handling, record-keeping(manifest) specifications, and motels, bunkhousk s, rangerstations, crew quarters, and emergency contingency plans. campgrounds, picnic grounds and day-userecreation areas 2.Small Quantity Generators (SQG):SQGs produce more are exempt (provided theyalso meet the second criterion). than 100 kg (220 lbs:)/monthand less than 1000 kg (2200 Wastes from establishments such asretailstores, office lbs.)/month, and accumulate less than6,000 kg (13200 lbs.). buildings, restaurants, and shopping centers areclearly not SQGs also must obtain a US EPAidentification number generated on the premises of a residencefor individuals, and from their state hazardous wastemanagement agency or thus are not covered by the householdwaste exemption. EPA regional office, and must complywith storage time, There is a grey area surroundingthe boundaries that quantity, handling, record-keeping(manifest) requirements, define artists and their working scenarios.For example, an and emergency contingency plans. artist who has a separate studio may notbe eligible for HHWCP. If a small 3. Conditionally Exempt Small QuantityGenerators (CESQG): disposal of unwanted materials to a Those facilities producing less than 100kg (220 lbs.)/month studio owner brings in unused paint, previouslyused to paint of hazardous waste, and less than 1kg (2.2 pounds)/month his studio that is attached, but not on,the premises of his eligible for the federal of acutely hazardous waste, are"conditionally exempt" from residence, he probably would not be Subtitle C, and the manifest system. Notwithstanding, housithold waste exemption. EPA would recommend a CESQGs must identify all hazardous waste, neveraccumulate comprehensive questioning of this type ofsmall business more than 1000 kg, must treat ordispose of their waste on- owner.Likewise, homeowners, gardeners andartists who site or make sure that the waste is sent to propervaste bring insuspiciously large amounts of materials to a disposal facilities. These include permitted orinterim status HHWCP may be turned away from servicesbecause their treatment storage or disposal facilities(TSDFs), permitted qual.tities resemble those of businesses,small farmers, and municipal or industrial solid waste facilities, orrecycling commercial art businesses. CSA hasproduced a list of U.S. waste from facilities. Notallstatesrecognizeadifferencein and Canadian collection programs that accept requirements for CESQGs as comparedwith those for both individual artists, and also from small"commerciarart SQGs. Check states for more stringentrequirements. businesses.For this list, along with recycling andexchange data sheet Health and Safety Thus, if one produces more than 220 pounds permomh of program information, see our hazardous waste (or more than 2.2pounds of acutely Resourcesfor Artists. hazardous waste), then one also has to provethat hazardous waste was disposed of properlythrough EPA's waste CWA manifest system. The EPA has developed categorical and pretreatment These above categories of generators representindustrial regulations that establish the basis forwastewater Each or "commercial" generators.An arts community group, a management under the Clean WaterAct of 1977. printmaking studio, a high school or college art program, or municipality develops and enforces programs regulating sewer a photographic studio mayindeed produce wastes in quantity and wastewater trealnent. For specificinformation on local that they meet the definitions of a CESQG, aSQG, or even regulations, one must consult the local PublicWorks and a LOG. own Department of EnvironmentalProtecLion. Most artists won't produce liquid wa, tes in amountsthat Househoki Hazardous Waste are relevant to these regulations.In fact, to qualify for Household wastes are exempted from federalhazardous status as a "significant industrial user," one mustdischarge at waste regulations (40 CFR Part 261.4(b)(1)).This exemption least 25,000 gallons per day of wastewater(excluding sanitary allows individual citizens, and home(non-professional) artists wastewater), or contribute a waste stream that accountsfor and hobbyists, to discard materials intomunicipal waste 5 or more percent of the hydraulic or organiccapacity of a streams without restriction from federalhamdous waste publicly owned treatment works (POTWs), or asespecially regulations. EPA states that the reason for thisexemption designated by themunicipality. Large photographic doesn't mean these wastes aren't hazardous, butrather that processing studios and largeelectroplating studios are enforcement and management of wastesgenerated by examples of businesses that may need complywith this law. consumers in their households isn'tfeasible. Thus, handlers University arts programs or community artsfacilities may of household hazardous wastes don't need tocomply with the produce amounts of aqueous waste that arecovered in the federal regulations when managing householdwastes. pretreatment regulations discussedbelow.

4 Categorical Standards shore, while at the airport, dischazge is direct, yielding much The EPA has special 21 categorical standards for certain less dilution. Many states are allowed to administer their industries, including: own approved programs, and may have more stringent Part 413 - electroplating requirements. Part 433 - metal finishing Part 449 - paint manufacturing Sewer Codes Part 447 - ink manufacturing Itis impossible to present allthe municipal sewage regulations here. Those concerned must contact their Part 459 - photographics municipal Public Works Offices for detailson the regulations. Part 463 - plastics molding and forming Given below is a sample toxic substances list suppliedby the Part 464 - metal molding and casting New York City Department of Environmental Protection, Part 466 - porcelain enameling Bureau of Clean Water, Industrial Wastes Control Section. Sewer codes do restrict certain constituents, and which are only relevant if there is direct dischargeto a water some of the body. requirements include pH, temperature, BiochemicalOxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand(COD), Pretreatment Standards suspended solids, and temperature. The federal Water Pollution Act of 1972, and the Examples of materials that cannot be discharged downthe Clean sewer system include: Water Act were enacted with the goal to "restoreand maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrityof the 1. Construction materials, ashes, cinders,straw, shavings, tar, nation's waters".Title 40 CFR Section 402 requires that plastic, wood, manure, coffee grounds,fur, wax, or POTWs (sewage treatment plants), establishlocal obstructive solids. pretreatment programs to ensure compliance.The actual 2. Flammable or explosive liquids, solidsor gases. pretreatment requirements are given in Section 403. These 3. Petroleum hydrocarbons, in concentrations> 50 mg/L. include: general and specificdischarge limitations and 4. Paints and waste from paint manufacturing. prohibitions toallsewage treatment plants, categorical pretreatment standard programs, requirements for POTW 5. Wastewater with pH less than 5.0or greater than 9.5. pretreatment programs, and the reporting requirementsfor 6. Toxic Substances exceeding the followingpermissible industrial users. concentration for any given time: (in milligramsper liter) Itis forbidden todischargepollutants with certain Cadmium 2 characteristics into a sewage treatment plant, including: Chromium (hexavalent) 5 1. Pollutants that will cause fireor explosion hazard. Copper 5 2. Pollutants that will cause corrosive damageto the POTW. Cyanide (amenable) 0.2 3. Solid or viscous pollutants thatcan obstruct flow. Lead 2 4. Pollutants released at flow rates that interfere withflow. Mercury 0.05 5. High temperature discharges that may inhibit biological Nickel activity. 3 Zinc 6. Petroleum oil, cutting oil, or mineral oil products. 5 7. Pollutants that can generate toxicgases, at levels that may DOT and Transportation cause health and safety problems. Shipments of hazardous wastes off-siteare regulated by 8. Trucked or hauled pollutants, not at specificdischarge both the EPA and Department of Transportation points identified by the sewage treatment plant. (DOT). DOT requires that wastes be segregated byhazard class. Industrial users must notify their local POTWof all EPA requires that off-site shipments ofhamrdous waste discharges, that may cause problems with operationand flow. must be accompanied by a "Uniform HazardousWaste All "significant industrial users" haveto also notify the Manifest",which is a shipping paper usedto track the waste. sewage treatment plant, and their regional EPA office ofany The manifest documents the "cradle-to-grave"requirements, discharge of hazardous substances. All POTWsare required and contains the name and address ofthe generator, the to develop local sewer use codes. These limitsare designed receiving facility site, and all transporters, alongwith a listing to reflect the particular local environmental conditionsof the of all hazardous wastes in the shipments.All personnel area.Sewer codes will vary according to wherePOTW handling the wastes must sign the manifest.Large quantity discharges are made.For instance, the local limits for generators must havecertificationregarding waste discharge right at the San Francisco Bayarea for zinc, minimization including programs to reducethe volume, (which may be present in wastewater from acidetching on quantity and the toxicity of the wastes.Similarly, small zinc plates),is 4 part:.?ermillion, and if the same quantity generators must sign sucha statement. wastewaterisdischargedatthe nearby airport,the Containers used for transporting wastesover public streets corresponding limit would be 0.54ppm.This is because ana highways must meet DOT requirements for construction, discharge in the San Francisco Bayarea occurs miles off- compatibility with contained material, and tightness.

4 5 Waste Treatment Procedures Types of Hazardous Waste

Many artists who generate hazardous waste work in a What is hazardous waste? There are several categories of community that uses the municipal sewer for both processing chemicals used by artists and schools that come under the hazardous wastes and sanitary wastes. Usually,the heading of hazardous waste. While RCRA designates municipality specifies the composition, flow rate, and total specific categories of hazardous waste, one can also define quantity of the discharges. hazardous waste colloquially as a material that is of no There are two types of waste treatment, primary and furtheruse,and cannot besafelyreturnedtothe secondary. Primary treatment consists of sedimentation environment, in original form. 'Types of hazardous waste are processes, that only separates out solids.In secondary listed below. treatment, bacterial activity and aeration are utilized to mimic, in hours rather than days, the aerobic biological Toxic Wastes activity that would occur if the waste was dumped in a This category includes toxic chemicals, such as solvents, stream of water. In this type of aerobic system, the bacterial formaldehyde, lead compounds, mercury, chromates, etc., and action destroys many oxygen-demanding chemicals, found islisted in 40 CFR 261.33.Table 1 contains selected both in sanitary waste and in waste products in the studio. chemicals used by artists and schools that are listed as toxic If the sewage plant does not have a secondarytreatment wastes.See the EPA regulations for the complete list. stage, then many waste chemicals will pass untreated into the waterways and will slowly be treated by bacteria in the Table 1. Selected Taric Wastes Regulated by 40 CFR 261.33 waterways. This process, however, uses up the oxygen in the Acetaldehyde waterways ar d thus can kill off aquatic life due to lack of Acone oxygen. Benzene If there is only primary treatment, or if no municipal waste para-Benzoquinone treatment plant is available, then hazardous wastes may have n-Butyl alcohol to be treated before they can be discharged into the Carbon tetrachloride waterways. For this type of point source discharge, then the Chloroform stream standards apply. Under the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) of the Federal Creosote Cyclohexane Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, permits are needed for Cyclohexanone point source discharges that go directly to water.Individual Dibutyl phthalate stateshavetheir own adaptations of theseparticular ortho-dichlorobenzene regulations with the State Pollution Discharge Elimination para-dichlorobenzene System (SPDES). Dichloroethylene Artists and schools located in rural areas sometimes rely on other forms of waste treatment, and this can pose Diethylhexyl phthalate Diethyl phthalate particularproblems. Septictanks, aithough biological Dimethyl phthalate systems, process waste in an anaerobic manner, meaning Di-n-octyl phthalate without aeration. They do not degrade waste very efficiently, and can easily be overloaded with a moderate volume of para-Dioxane waste, such as the amounts produced in photographic 2-Ethoxyethanol Ethyl acetate processing. Aerated lagoons require large amounts of land Ethylene dichloride to take care of studio waste. Deep-well injection is possible Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether only if extensive and expensive tests are run. Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether Ethylene oxide Ethyl ether Formaldehyde Formic acid Freons Hydrofluoric acid Hydrogen sulfide Isobutyl alcohol Mercury Methyl alcohol Methyl bromide Methylene dichloride Methyl chloroform Methyl ethyl ketone Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide

6 5 Methyl isobutyl ketone Reactive Waste Methyl methacrylate Reactive waste includes: Naphthalene 1) normally unstable compounds that can undergo violent Pentachlorophenol change without detonating(e.g.methylethylketone Perchloroethylene peroxide); Phenol Resorcinol ?) cyanide or sulfide wastes which can generate dangerous Selenious acid amounts of toxic gases at pHs between 2 and 12.5 (e.g. Selenium dioxide cyanide electroplating solutions); Selenium sulfide 3)compoundsthatreactviolentlywith water(e.g. Tetrahydrofuran phosphorus); and Thiourea 4) compounds that form potentially explosive mixtures with Toluene water. Toluene diisocyanate 1,1,1-Trichloroethane Leachable Toxic Waste Trichloroethylene EPA hasdefined aToxicityCharacteristic Leaching Xylene Procedure (TCLP) to determine if a hazardous waste could leach toxic amounts of certain metals, pesticides and organic Acutely Hazardous Waste chemicals into the ground water.This test it. specified in This is hazardous waste that is very dangerous even in Appendix 2, of Part 40 CFR 261.Table 3 lists selected small amounts. One has to follow EPA regulations if one chemicals restricted under this regulation.See the EPA generates more than 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of these regulations for the complete list. materials in a month.Table 2 contains selected acutely hazardous wastes listed in 40 CFR 161.33 which may he Table 3. Selected Chemicals Regulated Under the TCLP Rule generated by artists and schools.See the EPA regulations (40 CFR 261.24) for the complete list. Arsenic Benzene Table 2 Selected Acutely Hazardous Wastes Regulated by 40 Barium CFR 261.33 Cadmium Arsenic oxides Carbon tetrachloride Beryllium Chloroform Carbon disulfide Chromium Cyanides ortho-dichlorobenzene Hydrogen cyanide para-dichlorobenzene Nitrogen oxides 1,2-dichloroethylene Phenylmercury acetate Lead Phosphine Mercury Strontium sulfide Methyl ethyl ketone Vanadium pentoxide Pentachlorophenol Perchloroeliylene Flammable Waste Selenium This category includes: Silver 1) flammable and combustible liquids (flash point less than Trichloroethylene 142* F or 61' C); Other classes of hazardous waste, not normally encountered 2) solids capable of causing fire through friction, moisture by artists, include radioactive materials and pathological absorption, or spontaneous combustion (e.g. oil-soaked rags); waste. 3) ignitable compressed gases (e.g. propane, acetylene); and 4) oxidizing substances (e.g. potassium chlorate, concentrated nitric acid, dichromates, etc.).

Corrosive Waste Wastes with a pH less than 2 or greater than 12 are considered corrosive.Examples include nitric acid etching baths,photographicdevelopingbaths,anodizingand electroplating baths, ammonia, and acid dyebaths.

6 Waste Exchange and Recycling Waste Management Methods One of the most exciting methods of wastemanagement is exchange and recycling of products. There aretwo types of There are many waste managementmethods available. recycling methods, which can be described asinternal or The following list Obviously some are better than others. external approaches. the common ones in order of priority: 1.Waste elimination or reduction atthe source Internal Recycling material.Oil- 2.Waste separation and concentration This method involves individual re-use of painting solvents used during painting canbe allowed to Waste exchange 3. settle, and then strained through cheesecloth(to remove the 4.Energy and material recovery solids), and finally, re-used either in actualpainting or during 5.Incineration or treatment cleanup.Internal recycling is usually going to be beneficial look at their extra 6.Secure land disposal in terms of cost. We encourage artists to materials and unwanted materials forpossible re-use and Sometimes, a combination of these methodswillbe recycling at another time. needed.While the two most commonly usedoptions of hazardous chemical waste management are securechemical Eaental Recycling landfill storage and incineration, they may notbe the most This method involves actually passing unwantedmaterials preferable. on to someone else who can usethem. What is refuse to one may be sustenance to another.For example, leftover art Waste Elimination or Reduction materials can be donated to an art center orsecondary is to actually school. Note that ha7ardous materials should neverbe The best way of managing hazardous waste like eliminate or minimize its production.The first step is to donated to elementary schools, and highly toxic materials understand the hazards of the materials used.Then, artists, lead glazes should not be recycled. investigate the substitution CSA has received reports of Household HazardousWaste or even schools and teachers, can collection of acertainsense, waste Collection Programs (HHWCPs) setting up of lessertoxicmaterials. In There are particularattention to reducing the paints and giving away the usable materials. minimization pays For environmental toxicity - which is often reflected in thehealth increasing numbers of actual waste exchange programs. Using lead-free glazes instead of example, the Northeast Industrial WasteExchange, Inc. hazards of the materials. for the leaded glazes results in the reduction in the amountof lead (NIWE) is one non-profit information clearinghouse that enters the environment, via kiln fumes (healthand air resale of waste.They put out a quarterly catalog on both hazard), and also in discarding unwanted or wastematerial wanted and available resources. (as hazardous waste).Also, lead-glazed pottery is often not foodsafe, and lead glazes cannot be donated to many art Energy and Material Recovery programs because of the hazardsinvolved. Another example Sometimes a waste cannot be put to good use in theform of waste minimization is thc use of water-based screen that it is generated, and must be treated to accessbeneficial printing inks instead of solvent-based ones. qualities. Reclamation involves pick-up and handling of hazardous wastes by licensed companies. Largeprintmaking Waste Separation and Concentration facilities, which generate many solvent- or oil-soaked rags can If one cannot reduce the actual amount of hazardous waste contract pick-up, laundry and return oftheir rags for re-use. being produced, the next step is to keep hazardous waste from "contaminating" regular garbage.In this way, these Incineration or Treatment different waste streams remain separated. An exampleof It is sometimes impossible to re-use a material,and in this this is separating used and unwanted solvent-basedpaint caseit must be either destroyed by a processsuch as from water-based paint.Sometimes wastes can in fact be incineration, or treated in some manner to convertit into a combined in an advantageous manner. For example, mixing less toxic material can be re-used in the environment.There dilute solutions of spent photographic developer (basicpH) are three types of treatment optionsthat are available. with dilute solutions of spent photographic stop baths(acidic 1. Volume reduction refers to water removal, orconcentration pH) can result in neutralization of both to nonhazardous of chemicals that really doesn't result in a moreacceptable waste solutions. If treatments are part of routineprocessing waste, but a form of waste that is easierand safer to handle. then extra permits are not needed. While concentration of wastes conserves space,it rarely Small amounts of solvents or solvent-containing materials results in a more environmentally acceptable waste.Instead. (less than a pint) can be evaporated if no other better concentration normally is practiced to conserve spacein a alternative is available.Of course, this evaporation should chemical landfill. take place outside, or inside a local exhaust hood where no 2. Detoxification can involve several processes. Spraying one win be exposed to the solvent vapors. materials removes volatiletoxins from aqueous waste. Sometimes, toxic metals can be converted tohighly insoluble and thus less biologically accessible compounds;for instance,

7 highly toxic andsoluble barium salts can be cunverted to be small.Smaller containers of similar and compatible the less toxic sulfates.Certain biodegradable wastes can be materials can be placed in larger DOT-approved containers treated in surface impoundments.Neutralization of acids (e.g. a steel or fiber drum), provided that thereare enough and bases is another example. cushioning and absorbentmaterial(e.g.vermiculite) 3. Solidification involves converting waste intoa solid form, surrounding each container. A chemical inventory is madeas usually by incorporation into a matrix.The purpose of the containers are added to the drum. When the drum is solidification is to trap the waste in order to control therate full,itis sealed and shipped to the disposal facility, for at which ground or surface water that contacts the wastecan processing, along with a copy of the inventory sheet.This dissolve the harardous components. system is called a lab pack, and is particularly useful when actual quantities of hazardous wastes generatedare small. Secure Land Disposal Lab packs are often put together at the time of shipment of The least favorable option, placed at the bottom of the hazardous waste.A lab pack must contain compatible waste management hierarchy is secure land disposal. There wastes, even though the individual identity may vary. are two techniques of secure land disposal.The first is Disadvantages of lab packing include the fact that actual similar to the operation of a sanitary landfill facility,where disposal is expensive since absorbants makeup the majority waste is placed in contact with soil or buried under soil,to of the material disposed. When the inner containersare not encourage biological degradation. A very high de3ree of full, actual space in the drum is wasted. Advantages include ground and surface water isolation is required.Another the fact that lab packs are generally safe, and simple, in that approach to secure land disposal is perpetualstorage. there is little chance of personnel exposure from transferring Secure land disposal and perpetual storage is placedlast wastes or of hazardous mixing of incompatibles. in the hierarchy of management options becauseof the many uncertainties regarding longtermsuccess and safety, and Consolidaticm maintenance complexities.Landfill design, transportation The alternativetolab packingisconsolidation of safeguards,labeling,surveillance,leachate management, compatible waste materials into bulk form. Consolidation of disease control, barrier development and landuse are just wastes, however, presents different advantages and some of the safety concerns. disadvantages.Utilization of space in consolidation isvery efficient since chemicals are removed from their original Waste Management Services containers and combined. About 3or 4 times the amount of chemicals can be placed in a consolidated drum These six options can be relevant to individualartists and as compared to a lab pack.The total costs for disposal are hobbyists, in that certain treatments and recyclingprocesses can be done individually. lower, but there is a much greater risk ofa chemical The first three options are the reaction or spill. best.Larger studios or facilities, and also individuals with Sometimes a extremely toxic or large amounts of materialsmay opt for facility may not accept a lab packor consolidated waste drum if certain wastes included licensed collection services.Hazardous materials that can't are not allowee under their permits. For example, the inclusion be properly disposed of in otherways should be taken (if of wastes containing mercury in a container of other zenerated by a household or a CESQG), incompliance with wastes could prevent incineration of the entire waste EPA and DOT requirements, toa licensed hazardous waste stream in the disposal company, or pickedup by a licensed hazardous container, thus making it impossible to dispose of thewaste. Also, the improper mixing of solvents, might prevent waste transporter.Often this can be expensive.If one is certain reclamation, reuse, or land disposal of the material. considering transporting hazardouswaste yourself, one should be aware that many firedepartmentsrestrictthe transportation of flammable liquids by car, and RCRA also , regulates the transport of hazardouswaste. 'Formigaft- Once a contract is open witha waste management firm, - ,. the contractor will often help theclient meet transportation and recordkeeping requirements (i.e.,prepare the shipping manifests). Specific contractors may have additional container labeling or markingrequirements, or require specific waste analyses,or special packaging beyond that which is specified by the regulations.When wastes are 1"`--7::/iCA-. shipped off-site, they are usuallyconsolidated or lab packed. Lab Packs. Many companies, because of the highcosts of insuring the transportation vehicles, have setup special services, such as lab packs, that are very helpful inareas such as museum conservation laboratories, where theremay be a great variety Drawing by D. Reilly; (i1) 1990 of chemicals, but the quantities thatactually accumulate may The New Yorker Magazine, Inc. Recommendations for Treatment or Disposal Alkalis Examples: ammonia, calcium hydroxide (slaked lime), calcium oxide (lime), lithium oxide, potassium hydroxide (caustic These recommendations arefor actualtreatment or potash), potassium carbonate (potash), sodium carbonate disposal of art materials.If possible, leftover or waste art materials should be recycled or handled by other methods as (soda ash, washing soda), sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), listed above, especially since recycling of hazardous waste sodium silicate, trisodium phosphate. materials exempts waste generators from EPA regulations. Whenever pouring or neutralizing chemicals, wear proper, Dilute Alkaline Solutions approved personal protective equipment. This includes: I. Neutralize by slowly adding citric acid or white vinegar using pH paper to indicate when neutral (pH 7). chemicalsplash goggles approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI); 2. Pour neutralized alkali down the drain with lots of water. protective clothing (impermeable gloves, aprons, etc.); 3. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment. exhaust ventilation for volatile gases or solvents or; appropriate respirators approved by the National Institute Concentrated Alkaline Solutions for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). 1. Small amounts (less than a cup) can be diluted by slowly In addition, all routine chemical handling should be done pouring into 10 parts of water to one of alkali, and then in areas that are equipped with: neutralizing as above. Always add the alkali to the water. emergency spill control kits for large amounts of liquids; 2. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment. fire extinguishers for flammable and combustible materials; eyewash fountains in case of splashes in the eyes; 3. Larger amounts of concentrated alkaline solutions should emergency showers for concentrated acids and alkalis. be disposed of as hazardous waste.

Acids Solid Alkalis 1. Dispose of as hazardous waste. Examples:aceticacid,boricacid,hydrochloricacid, hydrofluoric acid, oxalic acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid. ChlorineBleach 1. Chlorine bleaches (sodium hypochlorite) are alkaline, and Dilute Acids can produce chlorine gas when mixed with acid, or other 1. Neutralize dilute acid solutions by slowly adding baking poison gases if mixed with ammonia. soda (sodium bicarbonate) until bubbling stops. Check the 2. Less than a cup of household strength chlorine bleach can pH with pH paper (neutral being pH 7). be poured down the drain with lots of water. 2. Pour neutralized acid down the sink with lots of water. 3. More than a pint of household bleach and stronger bleach 3. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment. solutions should be disposed of as hazardous waste. 4. Hydrofluoric and chromic acid solutions should never be poured down the sink.Dispose of as hazardous waste. Clay I. Place in garbage in sealed plastic bags.Clay is not listed Concentrated Acid Solutions as a hazardous waste by RCRA. 1. Less than a cup of concentrated acids can be diluted by slowly pouring into 10 parts of water to one of acid, and Dyes then neutralized as above. Always add the acid to the water Powders to avoid production of large amounts of heat and boiling. 1. Place in garbage in sealed plastic bags.Most dyes are 2. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment. biodegradable and are not listed as hazardous waste. 3. Larger amounts of concentrated acids should be disposed of as hazardous waste. Dye Solutions 1. Pour dye solutions down the drain with lots of water. Solid Acids 2. If the dyebath is acidic or alkaline, neutralize as discussed Solids such as boric acid and oxalic acid should be disposed under Acids and Alkalis. of as hazardous waste. 3. Mordant baths containing dichromates must not be poured Aerosol Spray Cans down the drain since they are oxidizing agents and probable carcinogens. They should be disposed of as hazardous waste. Examples: spray adhesives, spray fixatives, spray paints Evaporation can reduce the volume of hazardous waste. 1. Empty aerosol spray cans completely by spraying (outside or in a spray booth), and then placed in the garbage. Spray Enamels - See Glazes and Glaze Chemicals cans with residues are fire and explosive hazards.

1 09 Etches and Pickling Solutions 2. Calcium chromate, lead acetate, lead phosphate, selenious acid,seleniumdioxide, and seleniumsulfidearetoxic 1.These are acidic and should be neutralized. See Acids. hazardous wastes. 2. Acid etching on zinc and copper dissolve zinc and copper, 3. Metallic compounds are hazardous waste if they can not which are regulated under local sewer codes.These codes pass the acid leaching tests specified by EPA for arsenic, If desired, do not normally apply to small waste generators. barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, nickel, or selenium. zinc and copper can be precipitated by adjusting to pH 8, by the addition of sodium carbonate (washing soda) and filtering the solution. The precipitate can be placed in the garbage Minerals and the solution poured down the drain with lots of water. 1. Minerals such as stones, feldspars, flint, silica, and talc are 3. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment. not hazardous waste, and can be placed in the garbage.

Glazes and Glaze Chemicals Oils, Organic Examples: linseed oil, safflower oil, tung oil 1. Glaze chemicals, glazes, and glazed pottery are considered hazardous waste if they can not pass the acid leaching tests 1.These areignitable due to the risk of spontaneous specified by EPA for arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, combustion (especially oil-soaked rags). lead, nickel, or selenium. 2.Ifoil-soalvx1(or solvent-soaked) ragsaresentfor 2. Other glaze chemicals, glazes and glazed pottery can be laundering to laundries equipped to handle them, they are placed in the garbage.Dry glazes before disposal. not considered hazardous waste. 3. Recycle glazes when possible.Residual glazes and glaze 3. Oil-soaked rags can also be hung up to dry individually so scrapings from spray booths can be combined, homogenized, that heat can't accumulate, and then reused. tested, and used as a glaze.If needed, they can be adjusted with fluxes, colorants, etc. Organic Peroxides 4. Do not pour any glazes down the sink. Examples: methyl ethyl ketone peroxide, benzoyl peroxide I. Organic peroxides are oxidizers, and can burn or explode Glues and Cements if heated. '. Dry water-based glues and cements, and place in garbage.2. Organic peroxides should be dated and kept in original 2. Dry small amounts of solvent-based glues and cements containers, since many contaminants can react with them.If (e.g. less than a cur) in a laboratory hood, spray booth, or they dry out, call the fire department for help since they can explode if heated (even from friction). outside (if allowed by local regulations) in a location which will not expose anyone to solvent vapors.Keep away from 3. Small amounts of organic peroxides can be reacted with sparks, flames, or other ignition sources since most solvent- theplasticresinthey were bought withtogivea based glues are flammable. nonhazardous solid waste. 3.SeePlasticsResinsforepoxy glues andmethyl 4. Large amounts of residual organic peroxides should be methacrylate glues. disposed of as hazardous waste.Keep separate from other hazardous wastes. Metals 5. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment. 1. Scrap metals are not considered hazardous waste if they are recycled or reclaimed. Oxidizing Agents Examples: dichromates, chlorates, chromates, hypochlorites, 2.It they are not recycled, then scrap metals would be considered haza.dous waste if they can not pass the acid nitricacid(concentrated),periodates,permanganates, persulfates lcachingtestsspecifiedby EPA forarsenic,barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, nickel, or selenium. 1. Oxidizers can react with organic materials such as sawdust, 3. lleryllium is an acutely hazardous waste. solvents, organic resins,starch, etc.to causefires and explosions. 4.Mercury isa hazardous waste.Never mix mercury containing waste with other hazardous waste. 2.Oxidizers should be disposed of as hazardous waste. Keep them separate from other hazardous waste. 5. Scrap solders containing lead, cadmium or silver are considered hazardous waste unless recycled or reclaimed. Paints and Other Coatings 6. Other scrap metals can be placed in the garbage (unless Examples: Paints, varnishes, stains, finishes, sealants they are coated with hazardous paints). Water-based Coatings Metal Compounds 1. Paints containing lead, cadmium, chromate pigments, or 1.Arsenic oxides, arsenic acid, phenyl mercuric acetate, mercury preservatives should be disposed of as hazardous strontiumsulfide,and vanadium pentoxide areacutely waste. hazardous wastes.

10 11 of the amour t of 2. Other water-based paints and coatings should be allowed water) constitute a maximum of 1/4 household sanitary waste going into the septic system, and to dry, and then placed in the garbage. not to release more than a few pints at any one time. Solvent-based Coatings Pigments 1, Small amounts of solvent-based paints and coatings (less than a cup) can be allowed to evaporate in a laboratory 1. Lead, chromate, and cadmium pigments should be hood, spray booth or outside (if local regulations allow), disposed of as hazardous waste. where no one is exposed. 2. Other pigments can be placed in the garbage. Dry 2.Ifthe residue contains lead, cadmium, or chromate pigments should be placed in sealed plastic bags. pigments,it should be disposed of as hazardous waste; otherwise the residue can be placed in the garbage. Plaster 3. Larger quantities of solvent-based materials should be 1. Plaster is not considered a hazardous waste.Place in the disposed of as hazardous waste.See also Solvents. garbage in sealed plastic bags. 4,Stains containing wood preservativesareconsidered hazardous waste.See also Pesticides and Preservatives. Plastics 1. Solid plastics are not considered hazardous waste. Patinas - See Metallic Compounds Plastics Resins Pesticides Examples: epoxy, methyl methacrylate, phenol- or urea- 1. Pesticides should be disposed of as hazardous waste.formaldehyde, polyester, polyureoiane. 2. Completely use up pesticides; pesticide containers should1. Leftover resins should be reacted to form a solid plastic, be triple rinsed.Rinse water should be used as a pesticide. which can be placed in the garbage. 3. Pesticide spray cans - See Aerosol Spray Cans 2. Old or large amounts of plastics resins should be disposed 4. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment. of as hazardous waste. 3. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment. Photochemicais 1. Old or unused concentrated photochemical solutions or Solvents powders,toningsolutions,chromiumsolutions,color Examptes: turpentine, acetone, mineral spirits, methyl ethyl processing solutions containing high concentrations of ketone, xylene, toluene, glycol ethers. solvents, and platinum/palladium printing solutions should be 1. Small amounts of solvents or solvent-containing materials recycled or disposed of as hazardous waste. (e.g. less than a cup) can be evaporated inside a laboratory 2. Neutralize the alkaline developer by mixing with the stop hood, spray booth, or outside (if local regulations allow), so bath and pouring down the sink with lots of water.Wear no one would be exposed. appropriate personal protective equipment. 2. Large amotints of solvents can be mixed together and 3. Do not treat the fixing bath with acid (e.g mixing with disposed of as hazardous waste. stop bath), since fixing baths usually contain sulfites and 3.Chlorinated solvents(e.g.methylene chloride,1,1,1- bisulfites which will produce sulfur dioxide gas.Mix small trichloroethane), or mixtures containing them, should be amounts of fixer with wash water, and pour down the drain. separated from othersolvents since hazardous waste 4. Many municipalities regulate the amount of silver that can containing chlorinated solvents can be considered chlorinated be dumped into the sewer system.Silver can be recovered waste and is thus more expensive to dispose of. from the fixer by several types of silver recovery systems. 4. Waste cleaning solvents containing solids can often be The simplest uses steel wool or another source of iron. The reused by allowing the solids to settle, and filtering.If the iron dissolves and silver is precipitated out. The precipitated solidsaretoxic,then they should bedisposed of as silver must be sent to a company that can recover the silver. hazardous waste.Otherwise, place them in the garbage. Kodak has a test kit for silver in the effluent. 5. Replenishment systems, where fresh solutions are added Wood regularly to replace solutions carried out by film or paper, 1. Ordinary wood or wood waste can be recycled, burned as reduce daily volume of solution needing disposal. Ultimately, a fuel, or placed in the garbage. you will have to dispose of these replenished systems. 2. Wood that has been treated with wood preservatives such 6. In most area, professional photographers need a permit as chromated copper arsenate or other toxic chemicals to dump photographic wastes into septic systems.Because should be disposed of as hazardous waste. of variations in local laws, Kodak no longer recommends dumping photographic wastes into septic systems without checking with localauthorities. Previously, they recommended that photographic solutions (including wash

1112 References For-Further Information Written and telephoned inquiries about ha7ards in the arts Cuthbertson, Becky. "The Federal Hazardous Waste will be answered by the Art Hazards Information Center of Regulations for Household Hazardous Waste Collection the Center for Safety in the Arts.Send a stamped, self- Programs." Proceedings of the Fifth National Conference on addressed envelope for a list of our many publications. Household Hazardous Waste Management, November 5-7, Permission to reprint this data sheet may be requested in 1990. San Francisco, CA writing from CSA. Write: Center for Safety in the Arts, 5 Beekman Street,Suite1030, New York, NY 10038. Environmental Protection Agency. 40 CFR 260-267. Telephone (212) 227-6220. Hazardous Waste Management Regulations. Government This data sheet was produced with the assistance of the Printing Office, Washington DC, 1989. Environmental Protection Agency.CSA is also partially supported with public funds from the National Endowment Environmental Protection Agency. 40 CFR 403-424 Effluent for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts, the Guidelines and Standards.Government Printing Office, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, and the NYS Washington DC, 1991. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Training and Education Program. Environmental Protection Agency. 40 CFR 425-471 Effluent Guidelines and Standards.Government Printing Office, (c) Copyright Center for Safety in the Arts 1992 Washington DC, 1989.

Environmental Protection Agency. RCRA Orientation Manual 1990 Edition.Office of Solid Waste, Washington DC, 1990.

"Use of the Public Sewers, Including Sewer Surcharges" Rules of the City of New York, Title 15, Chapter 19, New York City, NY, 1992.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Hazardous Substances Regulation.Are You a Small Quantity Generator? Albany, NY, 1988.

Northeast Industrial Waste Exchange, Inc.Listings Catalog, Issue 44, Spring 1992.90 Presidential Plaza, Suite 122, Syracuse, NY 13202. Tel: (315) 422-6572.

Society of Photo Finishing Engineers (SPFE).Wastewater RegulationOverview. Photo Marketing Association International. Harrison, NY, 1992.

Williams, Marcia and Duxbury, Dana. "Managing Household Hazardous Waste" EPA Journal, April 1987.