ASTM D4447-84(2003)

Standard Guide for Disposal of Laboratory Chemicals and Samples

SCOPE
1.1 This guide is intended to provide the chemical laboratory manager with guidelines for the disposal of small quantities of laboratory wastes safely and in an environmentally sound manner. This guide is applicable to laboratories that generate small quantities of chemical or toxic wastes. Generally, such tasks include, but are not limited to, analytical chemistry, process control, and research or life science laboratories. It would be impossible to address the disposal of all waste from all types of laboratories. This guide is intended to address the more common laboratory waste streams.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Mar-2003
• ICS: 13.030.30 - Special wastes
• Technical Committee: D34 - Waste Management
• Drafting Committee: D34.01 - Monitoring and Characterization

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D4447-84(1997) - Standard Guide for Disposal of Laboratory Chemicals and Samples
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2003
• Replaced By: ASTM D4447-06 - Standard Guide for Disposal of Laboratory Chemicals and Samples
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2006
• Referred By: ASTM E2172-22 - Standard Guide for Conducting Laboratory Soil Toxicity Tests with the Nematode <emph type="ital"> Caenorhabditis elegans</emph>
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2003
• Referred By: ASTM E1192-23 - Standard Guide for Conducting Acute Toxicity Tests on Aqueous Ambient Samples and Effluents with Fishes, Macroinvertebrates, and Amphibians
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D5864-18 - Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Aquatic Biodegradation of Lubricants or Their Components
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D6731-22 - Standard Test Method for<!--ask about discussion in biodegradation def (keep?)--> Determining the Aerobic, Aquatic Biodegradability of Lubricants or Lubricant Components in a Closed Respirometer
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2003
• Referred By: ASTM E1562-22 - Standard Guide for Conducting Acute, Chronic, and Life-Cycle Aquatic Toxicity Tests with Polychaetous Annelids
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2003
• Referred By: ASTM E1295-22 - Standard Guide for Conducting Three-Brood, Renewal Toxicity Tests with <emph type="ital">Ceriodaphnia dubia</emph>
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2003
• Referred By: ASTM E1241-22 - Standard Guide for<brk type="line"/> Conducting Early Life-Stage Toxicity Tests with Fishes
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D3856-11(2015) - Standard Guide for Management Systems in Laboratories Engaged in Analysis of Water (Withdrawn 2024)
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2003
• Referred By: ASTM E1611-21 - Standard Guide for Conducting Sediment Toxicity Tests with Polychaetous Annelids
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2003
• Referred By: ASTM E724-21 - Standard Guide for<brk type="line"/> Conducting Static Short-Term Chronic Toxicity Tests Starting with Embryos of Four Species of Saltwater Bivalve Molluscs
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2003
• Referred By: ASTM E1218-21 - Standard Guide for Conducting Static Toxicity Tests with Microalgae
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2003
• Referred By: ASTM E1676-12(2021) - Standard Guide for Conducting Laboratory Soil Toxicity or Bioaccumulation Tests with the Lumbricid Earthworm <emph type="ital">Eisenia Fetida</emph > and the Enchytraeid Potworm <emph type="ital">Enchytraeus albidus</emph >
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2003
• Referred By: ASTM E729-23e1 - Standard Guide for Conducting Acute Toxicity Tests on Test Materials with Fishes, Macroinvertebrates, and Amphibians
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2003

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:D4447–84 (Reapproved 2003)
Standard Guide for
Disposal of Laboratory Chemicals and Samples
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4447; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3. Summary of Guide
1.1 This guide is intended to provide the chemical labora- 3.1 The necessary classification of the waste for shipping
tory manager with guidelines for the disposal of small quanti- and manifesting is addressed both by their common or generic
ties of laboratory wastes safely and in an environmentally chemical name and by Department of Transportation (DOT)
sound manner. This guide is applicable to laboratories that guidelines.
generate small quantities of chemical or toxic wastes. Gener- 3.2 Various types of wastes are listed and defined in a
ally, such tasks include, but are not limited to, analytical mannernecessarytosegregatethemforrecovery,pretreatment,
chemistry, process control, and research or life science labo- or disposal, or both.
ratories. It would be impossible to address the disposal of all 3.3 Procedures are not for recovery of the materials, or to
waste from all types of laboratories. This guide is intended to render them nonhazardous and amenable to municipal landfill
address the more common laboratory waste streams. or in-house disposal, or to prepare them for disposal in an
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the authorized chemical waste disposal site.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 3.4 Various methods of disposal are discussed.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 3.5 Each type of waste is designated a specific recovery or
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- pretreatment and disposal method. In most cases, disposal
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. alternatives are offered.
2. Referenced Documents 4. Significance and Use
2.1 Department of Transportation Regulations: 4.1 Laboratories rarely generate or handle large volumes of
40 CFR 173 Shippers—General Requirements for Ship- hazardous substances. However, the safe handling and disposal
ments and Packagings of these substances are impaired by diversity, toxicity, high
40 CFR 178 Shipping Container Specifications hazard risks, and contemptuous familiarity. With the promul-
40 CFR 179 Specifications for Tank Cars gation of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
40 CFR 261.3 Definition of Hazardous Waste (RCRA) of 1976, more attention is being given to the proper
40 CFR 261.33 Discarded Commercial Chemical Products, handling and disposal of such materials. Laboratory manage-
Off-Specifications Species, Container Residues, and Resi- ment should designate an individual who will be responsible
dues Thereof for waste disposal and must review the RCRA guidelines, in
40 CFR 261.5 Special Requirements for Hazardous Waste particular, the definition of a hazardous waste, the specific
Generated by Small Quantity Generators substances listed as hazardous, generator requirements and
40 CFR 761 Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Manufac- exclusions, and proper shipping and manifesting procedures.
turing, Processing, Distribution in Commerce, and Use Because many laboratory employees could be involved in the
Prohibitions proper (and improper) treatment and disposal of laboratory
49 CFR 172 Hazardous Materials Tables and Hazardous chemicalsandsamples,itissuggestedthatasafetyandtraining
Materials Communications Regulations program be designed and presented to all regarding procedures
tofollowinthetreatmentanddisposalofdesignatedlaboratory
wastes.
1 4.2 If practical and economically feasible, it is, of course,
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D34 on Waste
recommended that all laboratory waste be either recovered,
Management and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D34.01.01 on
Planning for Sampling.
re-used, or disposed of in-house. The disposal of laboratory
Current edition approved March 10, 2003. Published June 2003. Originally
samples, especially those received in large numbers or quan-
approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 1997 as D 4447 – 84 (1997).
tities from a specific source, can often be accommodated by
Draft Manual for Infectious Waste Management, SW-957, USEPA, Washing-
ton, DC., September 1982. returningthematerialtotheoriginator,sohecancombinethem
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D4447–84 (2003)
with larger quantities for recycling or disposal. However, 5.2.21 Radioactive materials,
should this not be the case, other alternatives are presented. 5.2.22 Infectious waste in life science laboratories,
This guide is intended only as a suggested organized method
5.2.23 Infectious waste in hospitals,
for classification, segregation, and disposal of chemical labo-
5.2.24 Water soluble waste of unknown origin or properties,
ratory waste.
5.2.25 Water insoluble waste of unknown origin or proper-
4.3 Even though the small quantity generator exclusion (40
ties,
CRF 261.5) may apply to laboratories, the professional labo-
5.2.26 Empty containers,
ratory supervisor and his or her employers must balance the
5.2.27 Asbestos or asbestos containing waste,
importance of protecting human health and the environment
5.2.28 Contaminated labware and trash,
from the adverse impact of potential mismanagement of small
5.2.29 Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
quantities of hazardous waste, with the need to hold the
administrative and economic burden of management of these
6. Pretreatment and Recovery Methods
wastes under RCRA within reasonable and practical limits.
6.1 The following methods may be employed for the recov-
Additionally, all lab supervisors should be aware of all current
ery or pretreatment of waste in the laboratory. All persons
local, state, and federal regulations, and specific hazardous
using chemicals in the laboratory must be aware of the toxic or
waste management facility criteria.
hazardous properties of the substance(s) used, including con-
5. Classification of Waste Types sideration of the toxic properties of possible reaction products.
In incorporating the following procedures, examine the pos-
5.1 The individual responsible for classification and segre-
sible hazards associated with each.
gation must be familiar with the waste’s chemical, physical,
6.1.1 Recovery, re-use— Consideration should be given to
and hazardous properties. If the waste is ultimately to be
distillation for the recovery of larger volumes of solvents.
disposed of off-site, it must be segregated, packaged, and
Many laboratories have systems for the recovery and re-use of
classified according to defined DOT hazard classification, as
mercury. Other recovery methods such as precipitation or
specified in the DOT hazardous materials regulations 49 CFR
crystallization may be practical.
172.
6.1.2 Dilution—Many laboratory chemical wastes can be
5.2 The chemical waste may be segregated into the follow-
diluted to an extent to allow disposal to the sewer system.
ing waste types,
However, this procedure is not recommended for toxic sub-
5.2.1 Trash, inert chemicals, non-toxic, non-reactive, non-
stances exhibiting characteristics of eroaccumulation, persis-
ignitable, non-corrosive solids as per RCRA or DOT guide-
tence, or degradation to more toxic substances. Strong acid and
lines,
bases should be diluted to pH 3-11 for this purpose. Some
5.2.2 Weak aqueous acid solutions (<10 % weight) and
solutions of water soluble flammable solvents can be diluted
related compounds,
enough to render them non-flammable. Small amounts of
5.2.3 Weak aqueous alkaline solutions (<10 % weight) and
various heavy metal compounds may be diluted to an extent
related compounds,
thatdoesnotposeahazardtoasewersystem.Consultthelocal
5.2.4 Concentrated aqueous acid solutions and related com-
waste-water treatment facility for acceptable guidelines.
pounds,
6.1.3 Neutralization— Strong acids and bases can carefully
5.2.5 Concentrated aqueous alkaline solutions and related
be neutralized to pH 3-11 to render them less hazardous for
compounds,
disposal.
5.2.6 Flammable (flash point, closed cup, °F < 140°),
6.1.4 Oxidation—Compounds such as sulfides, cyanides,
non-halogenated organic solvents and related compounds,
aldehydes, mercaptans, and phenolics can be oxidized to less
5.2.7 Flammable halogenated organic solvents and related
toxic and less odoriferous compounds.
compounds,
6.1.5 Reduction—In addition to oxidizers and peroxides,
5.2.8 Non-flammable non-halogenated organic solvents and
related compounds, various organic chemicals and heavy metal solutions can be
reduced to less toxic substances. Aqueous waste containing
5.2.9 Non-flammable halogenated organic solvents and re-
hexavalent chromium may be reduced to tri-valent using
lated compounds,
5.2.10 Organic acids, reducing agents such as bisulfite and ferrous sulfate. Mercury,
lead, and silver may be removed from aqueous streams by the
5.2.11 Organic bases,
5.2.12 Inorganic oxidizers, peroxides, process of reduction/precipitation. Organo-lead compounds
can be removed by the same type processes. The resulting
5.2.13 Organic oxidizers, peroxides,
5.2.14 Toxic heavy metals, concentrated heavy metal waste can be containerized and
disposed of at an authorized hazardous waste management
5.2.15 Toxic poisons, herbicides, pesticides, and carcino-
gens, facility, or subjected to recovery at a treatment facility.
5.2.16 Aqueous solutions of reducing agents and related 6.1.6 Controlled Reactions/Processes—Other methods for
compounds, reducing the hazardous properties of waste will involve pro-
5.2.17 Pyrophoric substances, cesses specific to particular waste generated by the laboratory.
5.2.18 Water reactive substances, Tobepractical,thewastewouldhavetobeofsufficientvolume
5.2.19 Cyanide, sulfide, and ammonia bearing waste, and,forsafetypurposes,theprocesswouldneedtobecarefully
5.2.20 Explosive materials, studied and the resulting products identified. Examples may
D4447–84 (2003)
include evaporation, filtration, ion exchange, carbon adsorp- All chemicals are to be segregated and packaged according to
tion, solvent extraction, hydrolysis, ozonolysis, and electroly- the following classification: poisons, oxidizers, flammables,
sis. corrosives-acids, and corrosives-alkalies.
7.4.2 Many chemicals that are similarly classified will react
7. Disposal Methods
for example, concentrated solutions of nitric acid mixed with
7.1 Containerization (Dumpster)—This method should be
acetic acid can cause spontaneous ignition. Therefore, an
used only in the disposal of inert laboratory solid waste. Each
employee of the waste generator, familiar with the chemicals
institution should have a procedure for handling solid waste to
and their respective hazards, is to be responsible for not only
include classification, segregation, and collection. Materials
segregation, but also for the documentation and packaging
disposed of in this manner must be suitable for sanitary landfill
operations. Compatible materials, of the same classification,
disposal and must be of no threat to the personnel handling the
are to be packaged in tightly and securely sealed inside
waste. Many materials disposed of in this manner by labora-
containers of the size and type specified in the DOT hazardous
tories may be regulated by local authorities.
materials regulations 40 CFR 173, 178, and 179, if those
7.2 Disposal to the Sewer System—Many laboratory chemi-
regulations specify a particular inside container, and placed in
cals, with or without pretreatment by one or more of the above
DOT-approved open-top metal drums.
prescribed methods, are amenable to sewer disposal. RCRA
7.4.3 Vermiculite or an other inert and compatible material
regulations (40 CFR 261.3) grant special exemptions for
is to be placed around the original waste containers to avoid
laboratory effluents from hazardous waste regulations if the
breakage and to act as an absorbent should any breakage or
annualized average flow of laboratory wastewater is less than
leakage occur. The chemicals are to be equally distributed
1% of the total wastewater going to the headworks of the water
within the drum with not less than an equal volume of
treatment facility and the concentration of hazardous material
vermiculite. The drums must be completely filled and properly
is less than 1 ppm in the headwaters. Also, local regulations
sealed.
govern the concentrations and types of chemicals that may be
7.4.4 A list detailing the contents of each drum, including
let to a sewer. Laboratory supervisors must familiarize them-
the chemicals’ common or generic names, the DOT hazard
selves and their co-workers with these regulations. In addition
classes, quantities of each, and any pertinent comments, must
to the statements made earlier regarding dilution (6.1.2) and
beavailableforcompletionofmanifestingpurposesandforthe
neutralization (6.1.3), it is important to emphasize that highly
disposal firm.
toxic, malodorous, or lachrymatory chemicals should not be
7.5 Solidification— In addition to the lab pack, an alternate
disposed of down the drain. Laboratory drains are usually
drum disposal method involves the solidification of compatible
interconnected, and a substance that goes down one sink may
liquid chemical waste with vermiculite or a suitable solidifi-
arise as a vapor from another. Additionally, the comingling of
cation agent such as diatomaceous earth or clay.
waste from different sources in the sewer system may present
7.5.1 Asuggested procedure is as follows:ADOT-approved
definite hazards for example, the sulfide poured down one
open-top metal drum (17 H) containing a free-standing liner is
drain may contact an acid poured into another. Some simple
filled to approximately one-third with the adsorbent.The liquid
reactions, such as ammonia plus iodine or silver nitrate plus
waste is then carefully poured into the adsorbent, mixed, and
ethanol, may produce explosions. Laboratory supervisors must
allowed to stand. The liquid waste may need pretreatment (for
be aware of the types of chemicals disposed in this manner so
example, neutralization, reduction, etc.) to render it compatible
that the risk of potential laboratory accidents is reduced.
with the solidification agent.The remainder of the drum is then
7.3 Incineration, Solvent Recovery—Waste solvents free of
filled in the same manner. An extra layer of
...