Empty containers

Facilities that use small quantities of paint and a large variety of colors often purchase paint in small cans and containers (less than five gallons) for use in spray gun equipment. After emptying the can of paint into the spray gun s pressure pot, a coating of paint remains inside the can. Since these cans are seldom cleaned, the entire can must be discarded as waste. Also included in this waste stream should be outdated or leftover paint removed from storage. Source reduction methods for this waste stream include  

For RCRA, a container or inner liner removed from a container that previously contained a hazardous waste is empty if it contains less than one inch of residue at the bottom of the container or inner liner. This one inch rule does not apply to containers that previously held acutely hazardous materials. These are those commercial chemicals listed in Section 261.33(e) (Table 4.4). The rule also does not apply to containers which held hazardous wastes which are compressed gases these are considered empty for RCRA, and hence not regulated, if they have been vented to atmospheric pressure. 

A container that previously held an acutely hazardous chemical (see Table 

4) is a hazardous waste when discarded or intended to be discarded unless it has been triply rinsed. Thus, a container holding any residue of an acutely hazardous material is subject to all the regulatory requirements of a hazardous waste. 

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Another unique phenomenon exhibited by Hquid helium II is the Rollin film (62). AH surfaces below the lambda point temperature that are coimected to a helium II bath are covered with a very thin (several hundredths llm) mobile film of helium II. For example, if a container is dipped into a helium II bath, fiUed, and then raised above the bath, a film of Hquid helium flows up the inner waH of the container, over the Hp, down the outer waH, and drips from the bottom of the suspended container back into the helium II bath. SinHlady, if the empty container is partiaHy submerged in the helium II bath with its Hp above the surface, the helium film flows up the outer waH of the container, over its Hp, and into the container. This process continues until the level of Hquid in the partiaHy submerged container reaches that of the helium II bath. 

Empty containers may be destroyed in an incinerator or decontaminated by washing with a dilute thiosulfate or sulfite solution. Bulk wastes should be treated by controlled iodine recovery processes. 

Pure diketene is stable for several weeks if stored at or below 0°C in an aluminum or stainless steel container. Glass should be avoided because of its inherent basicity which favors slow polymerization. Above 15°C slow decomposition occurs and the color becomes progressively darker. Pressure buHd-up Upon prolonged exposure to heat is possible. Heating and contamination of the container, especiaHy by acids, bases, and water, should be avoided. Residual vapors in empty containers are hazardous and may explode on ignition. 

Thermal degradation of isocyanates occurs on heating above 100—120°C. This reaction is exothermic, and a mnaway reaction can occur at temperatures >175° C. In view of the heat sensitivity of isocyanates, it is necessary to melt MDl with caution and to foUow suppHers recommendation. Disposal of empty containers, isocyanate waste materials, and decontamination of spilled isocyanates are best conducted using water or alcohols containing small amounts of ammonia or detergent. Eor example, a mixture of 50% ethanol, 2-propanol, or butanol 45% water, and 5% ammonia can be used to neutrali2e isocyanate waste and spills. Spills and leaks of isocyanates should be contained immediately, ie, by dyking with an absorbent material, such as saw dust. 

On-Site Handling On-site handhng refers to the activities associated with the handling of sohd wastes until they are placed in the containers used for storage before collection. Depending on the type of collection service, handhng may also be required to move loaded containers to the collec tion point and to return the empty containers to the point where they are stored between cohections. 

Corrosive, reactive, and Metal drums 210 L Washing facilities for empty containers special blending... 

Response of Equipment The response of equipment to blast is usually a combination of two effects one is the displacement of the equipment as a single entity and the other is the faihire of the equipment itself. The displacement of the equipment is an important consideration for small, unsecured items—e.g., empty drums, gas cyhnders, empty containers. Most damage resmts from the faihire in part or totally of the equipment or containing structure itself. 

Empty containers (such as drums, bags, boxes) ... 

Removal of empty containers, scrap, waste Prompt treatment of spillages Redecoration... 

Spills of endosulfan, according to FAOAVHO (1975a), should be cleaned up by first washing with 5% sodium hydroxide solution and then rinsing with large quantities of water. In addition, empty containers that held endosulfan residues should be rinsed two or three times with water while the sides are scrubbed, and once with 5% sodium hydroxide solution. Thus decontaminated, the empty containers can be recycled and used by pesticide manufacturers to package a chemical similar to endosulfan if the containers remain in good condition and if such reuse is not prohibited by federal, state, or local laws. 

Disposal of wastes and empty containers by different routes. 

Adequacy of decontamination of empty containers, tankers, etc. before return. 

Purity analysis and characterization of the test substance should be performed for each lot. A retention sample from each batch of the test substance should be archived. All unused test substance and partially empty containers should be retained until the final report is signed, unless a prior waiver has been obtained from the EPA. 

Quite often empty containers are stored in such a way that they are subject to the weather and to contamination that may result. A quick wipe with a dirty rag is all that is often used to clean them before filling Containers really do need to be stored in a clean, warm environment in their original packaging to avoid this type of problem. 

After use, all containers should be drained and rinsed several times with a solution of water, detergent, and lye ( bury rinse solution deeply in an isolated location with 18 inches [7 cm] of cover ) the empty container should be punctured and crushed to prevent reuse. 

A gaseous sample is pulled into an empty container such as a metal canister. In the laboratory, the sample is often chilled to isolate the volatile compounds. The container may then simply be rinsed with a solvent to capture these compounds. The solvent can then be directly injected into a suitable instrument for analysis, such as a gas chromatograph (GC). 

Land disposal. Land disposal Is the most widely used, least expensive, most often available disposal system at the present time. The term land disposal Includes sanitary landfills, surface Impoundments, evaporation ponds and land farming. Land disposal In a sanitary landfill, specially permitted to accept such wastes, can be expected to be the method of choice for the majority of the label statements proposed. Empty containers, waste pesticides and other wastes are commonly disposed of In a sanitary landfill or burled at the site of use. 

Documentation should be available showing what is stored in the pharmacy or investigator s study drug cupboard, what has been administered to the subject and what has been returned in the form of leftover study drug or empty containers (see Box 7.3). In addition, there will... 

Signs of inhalant abuse are unusual breath odor or chemical odor on clothing paint or stain marks on the face, fingers, or clothing spots or sores around the mouth and red or runny eyes or nose. Other clues include hidden rags or clothing, or empty containers. 

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