Cleaning hazardous chemicals

Work procedures to follow to assure protection when cleaning hazardous chemical spills and leaks... 

In a world increasingly conscious of the dangers of contact with chemicals, a process that is conducted within the walls of a vacuum chamber, such as the VDP process for parylene coatings, offers great advantages. Provided the vacuum pump exhaust is appropriately vented and suitable caution is observed in cleaning out the cold trap (trace products of the pyrolysis, which may possibly be dangerous, would collect here), the VDP parylene process has an inherently low potential for operator contact with hazardous chemicals. 

Hazardous chemical spills may have adverse effects on natural water systems, tlie land enviromnent, and whole ecosystems, as well as tlie atmosphere. Major spills evolve from accidents (see Chapter 6) tliat somehow damage or rupture vessels, tank cars, or piping used to store, sliip, or transport liazardous materials. In such cases, the spills must be contained, cleaned up, and removed as quickly and effectively as possible. 

Chemicals are an essential part of modern commerce and cannot be eliminated without catastrophic consequences to public health, the environment and the economy. Limiting exposure to the most hazardous chemicals has been the focus of national and international groups for many years. The USEPA relies on the development and implementation of regulations such as the Clean Water Act, Toxics Uses Reduction Act (TURA) and the Clean Air Act (CAA) as regulatory pollution prevention tools. 

Bhopal and a series of other major incidents underscored the need for increased attention to process safety management OSHA began to develop a standard that would incorporate these principles. A proposed standard was published in 1990. Additionally, the Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA) of 1990 required OSHA to promulgate a standard to protect employees from the hazards associated with releases of highly hazardous chemicals, including reactive chemicals. 

Many progressive companies have used the Substitution Principle to move towards the goal of clean production. Some downstream users of chemicals claim to only use benign chemicals in their processes and products. For instance, the McDonough Braungart team of consultants has worked with the Design Tex company to produce a carpet that is made with non-hazardous chemicals from their Positive chemical list. ... 

After completing the experiments, clean the work bench and do not leave any hazardous chemicals unattended. 

Hazardous chemical/oil spill or leak. Contain the flow as quickly as possible and as soon as possible clean up the waste and any soil or other materials that may have become contaminated with waste ... 

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) requires the EPA to "clean up" chemical disposal sites. The cleanup funds are raised through a combination of tort suits against companies that have had some connection with either the disposal site or the chemicals (joint-and-several strict liability) and taxes on petroleum production, hazardous-waste facilities, and chemical products. When judgments go against landowners, trucking firms, container corporations, or other firms less directly connected with the site, the defendants ask their insurance companies to pay these judgments. Courts, then, must decide whether liability insurance contracts cover such claims. 

Good chemicals control has, however, considerable positive economic effects for enterprises. It is increasingly important for the competitiveness of enterprises. Furthermore, investments in preventive chemicals control leading to the use of less hazardous chemicals and improved information on risks and safe use will have paybacks in the form of a reduced need for costly risk reduction measures for control of exposure, emissions and waste. In addition, better control of chemicals very often results in more cost-effective processes with reduced use of chemicals and less hazardous waste. By applying the concepts of Clean Products and Clean Production as aspects of improved chemicals control, costs for initial investments in many cases may have paybacks within just a few years time. 

---