Laboratory hazardous waste storage requirements and methods

(1) Principle of classified collection and storage

First, laboratory waste should be collected and stored in different areas. Classified collection means collecting laboratory waste separately according to its type, nature and state.

For example, wastewater and waste liquid should be collected separately, and general solid waste and hazardous waste should be collected separately.

(2) Collection and storage principles

Before collecting and storing laboratory waste, the nature and characteristics of laboratory waste should be clarified first, and different collection and storage methods should be adopted according to different situations to ensure that there will be no fire, leakage, corrosion, volatilization and other behaviors that endanger people and the environment during the collection and storage process.

For example, waste acid waste liquid should be kept away from active metals (such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, etc.) to avoid the production of toxic gases and other substances (such as sulfides, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, etc.); flammable waste should be kept away from materials and places (fire sources) that produce sparks and flames, and the storage volume should not be too large; most of them are volatile liquids, which are not only flammable but also toxic. After sealing, they should be placed in a ventilated place to prevent leakage.

In short, the specific situation should be analyzed specifically to ensure that the collection and storage of laboratory waste reaches the level and the risks are controllable.

(3) Timely collection and storage principle

When collecting waste in the laboratory waste storage cabinet, it is necessary to prevent laboratory staff from forgetting the waste that was not collected and stored in time after leaving the laboratory, leaving environmental risks.

For example, volatile substances can cause irritation to the human respiratory tract. If they are not collected and processed in time, they will harm the health of laboratory staff and pollute the laboratory and the external environment.

(4) Principle of similar collection and storage

The principle of similarity means that laboratory wastes with similar properties or treatment methods should be collected and stored together. Such collection and storage is conducive to the subsequent transportation, utilization and treatment of laboratory wastes, saving the trouble of subsequent subdivision.

For example, wastes contaminated by the same isotope can be collected and stored together; acidic waste liquids with similar properties such as sulfuric acid can be collected and stored together, etc.

(5)Principle of separate collection and storage

Some wastes in the laboratory waste storage cabinet have unique properties, or have special value and can be recycled, so they should be collected and stored separately.

For example, mercury is a relatively special substance. Mercury is a metal that is liquid at room temperature. It is not only easy to evaporate, but also toxic. It can also react with a variety of non-metals, so it should be collected separately; and waste catalysts or waste liquids containing precious metals such as platinum and palladium should also be collected and stored separately so that the precious metals can be extracted in subsequent waste treatment and disposal.

(6) Minimization principle

In order to reduce environmental risks and eliminate environmental hazards, laboratories should minimize waste storage, recycle as much as possible, or simply concentrate it.

For laboratory waste that can be directly entered into the municipal waste treatment system (such as sewage treatment plants, garbage treatment plants, hazardous waste treatment plants, etc.) after pretreatment, it should be transported out for treatment and disposal in a timely manner to avoid large-scale storage, thereby reducing the subsequent centralized treatment and disposal volume.

(7) Principle of regular cleaning

In order to avoid accidents that may occur during the collection and storage of laboratory waste, the collected and stored laboratory waste should be cleaned regularly so that it can be handled and disposed of in a timely manner.

(8) Clear labeling principles

Most laboratory waste contains flammable, explosive, toxic and harmful components. In order to facilitate waste storage and subsequent treatment and disposal, the collected and stored laboratory waste should be labeled with the type, state, toxicity and other information of the waste.

If it is necessary to collect laboratory waste chemicals in a mixed manner, the composition of laboratory waste chemicals should be clarified before collection in the laboratory waste temporary storage cabinet, and the waste should be collected and labeled truthfully according to the compatibility of waste chemicals and relevant data in the chemical instructions. Laboratory waste chemicals with unknown components are strictly prohibited from being mixed with other waste chemicals to avoid danger.