Waste spill decontamination

Prevention of spills and accidents Be prepared for accidents and spiUs (41). Assure that at least 2 people are present at all times if a compound in use is highly toxic or of unknown toxicity (39). Store hreakahle containers of these substances in chemically resistant trays also work and mount apparatus above such trays or cover work and storage surfaces with removable, absorbent, plastic backed paper (40). If a major spOl occurs outside the hood, evacuate the area assure that cleanup pCTSonnel wear suitable protective apparel and equipment (41). Waste Thoroughly decontaminate or incinerate contaminated clothing or shoes (41). If possible, chemically decontaminate by chemical conversion (40). Store contaminated waste in closed, suitably labeled, impervious containers (for liquids, in glass or plastic bottles half-filled with vermiculite) (40). 

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. 

Dev, H., Bridges, J.E., and Sresty, G.C., Decontamination of hazardous waste substances from spills and uncontrolled waste sites by radio frequency in situ heating, in Hazardous Material Spills Conference Proceedings, Government Institutes, Rockville, MD, 1984. 

Armour, M.A. et al., Decontamination of spills and residues of pesticides and protective clothing worn during their handling, Proceedings of the Pacific Basin Conference on Hazardous Waste Research, Kuala Lampur, Malaysia, 1996, 44. 

The conclusions of the investigation team as summarized in the report were The process of sending VX contaminated liquid and saturated spill pillows to the DFS in excess of the decontamination capability of the furnace system appears to be the major cause of the chemical event. There are no other scenarios consistent with the physical evidence observed in bin 135 that could have resulted in the agent levels that were recorded during this chemical event. A faster response from the lab and a procedure that includes an action level for the exceedance of waste control limits would have reduced the amount of time bin 135 was outside of engineering controls. A detailed review of standard operating procedures for bulk solid waste fed to the DFS should be conducted. In addition, a narrower definition of what constitutes bulk solid waste should be developed. ... 

Emphasis in this review is on those potential degradation products resulting from agent contact with soil, water or the atmosphere after unintended release from historically buried chemical weapons and wastes, or potential spills during munition demilitarization and disposal activities. The principal degradation processes include photolysis, hydrolysis, oxidation and microbial degradation. Volatilization is an important mechanism for the transfer of some CWAs from soil and water to air. Decontamination procedures, considered in Chapter 7, may incorporate some or all of these processes. 

Decaborane may be destroyed by carefully dissolving with water followed by treating with 1 M sulfuric acid to a pH value of 1 (Aldrich 1995). Hydrogen, which may evolve vigorously after acid addition, should be vented. The solution is evaporated to dryness and the residue is buried in a landfill site for hazardous waste disposal. Decaborane spill should be decontaminated by flushing with a 3% aqueous ammonia solution. 

Hazardous waste operations— which includes an incident command system, scene safety and control, spill control and containment, decontamination procedures, and all clear. 

OSHA issued a special regulation dealing with chemical spills. The standard, 29 CFR 1910.120, is called the Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response, or HAZWOPER. The standard covers two important parts of a plant s operation emergency response and hazardous waste operations. Emergency response roles consist of five levels—first responder awareness level, first responder operations level, hazardous materials technician, specialist level, and incident commander. Hazardous waste operations consists of the incident command system, scene safety and control, spill control and containment, decontamination procedures, and the all clear. 

Armour, M. A., C. Nelson, P. Sather, Y. Biiker, E. Crown, K. B. Rigakis, and N. Kerr. 1996. Decontamination of Spills and Residues of Pesticides and Protective Qothing Worn during Their Handling, in Proceedings of the Pacific Basin Conference on Hazardous Waste, Pacific Basin Consortium for Hazardous Waste Research and Management, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, pp. 44-54,... 

Boots must almost always be decontaminated after use at a chemical spill incident. A child s wading pool with a mild detergent is suitable for many situations. The water must often be treated as contaminated waste, as is the water from the suit decontaminations noted above. Gloves can be washed separately in a bucket in a manner similar to boots. 

In work areas where spillage may occur, the employer shall make provisions to contain the spill, to decontaminate the work area, and to dispose of the waste. 

---