5.2.6 Hazardous Waste and Renovation Projects. Projects are subject to a required protocol that identifies potential hazardous wastes. 

 

5.2.6.1 Lead Based Paint. Suspicious paint must be tested for before removal. Federal Law requires that individuals receive certain information before renovating 6 square feet or more of painted surfaces in a room for interior projects or more than 20 square feet of painted surfaces for exterior projects in housing, child care facilities and schools built before 1978. Starting in April 2010, Federal law requires contractors that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities and schools, built before 1978 to be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. 

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*Renovators must provide the following pamphlet: “Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers and Schools”. There is a Pre-Renovation Form that must be filled out, documenting the receipt of this pamphlet. 

*Starting in April 2010, Federal law requires contractors that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities and schools, built before 1978 to be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. 

They must follow a 3-step plan: 

1. Talk to the residents; explain the steps that will be taken to protect residents from lead. 

2. Set up safe work areas – minimize the dust. 

3. Leave the work area clean – perform a final clean-up check. 

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Sample Contractor's Guide

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5.2.6.2 Asbestos. Proper notifications must be completed prior to the demolition of a facility containing known Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM). Records of test results and any other documents pertaining to the removal process are maintained by the EHS Specialist. 

 

5.2.6.3 Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB’s.) 

PCBs belong to a broad family of man-made organic chemicals known as chlorinated hydrocarbons. PCBs were domestically manufactured from 1929 until their manufacture was banned in 1979. They have a range of toxicity and vary in consistency from thin, light-colored liquids to yellow or black waxy solids. Due to their non-flammability, chemical stability, high boiling point, and electrical insulating properties, PCBs were used in hundreds of industrial and commercial applications including electrical, heat transfer, and hydraulic equipment; as plasticizers in paints, plastics, and rubber products; in pigments, dyes, and carbonless copy paper; and many other industrial applications. 

But, most fluorescent light ballasts manufactured before 1979 used capacitors containing PCBs. Sealed inside the capacitor is about a teaspoon of concentrated PCBs. Potting material surrounds the capacitor, which is encased in a ballast box. Magnetic ballasts containing PCBs must be disposed of in accordance with formal hazardous waste procedures. Contact Mark Musser at 920.923.8618 to setup a disposal of items containing PCB’s. Documents related to any disposal of PCB’s are maintained by the EHS Specialist. 

 

5.2.6.4 Secondary Containment. Ensure appropriate secondary containment is provided for all non DOT hazardous waste containers. These containers will be provided by the EHS Specialist. Also any hazardous materials that have potential access to the sanitary sewer must be provided secondary containment to prevent unintended releases. 

 

5.2.7 Non-Hazardous and Universal Waste. Some wastes are not hazardous but require special handling when disposed of. 

 

5.2.7.1 Used Batteries. Environmental Hazards of Batteries 

People are using more and more household batteries. The average person owns about two button batteries, ten normal (A, AA, AAA, C, D, 9V, etc.) batteries, and throws out about eight household batteries per year. About three billion batteries are sold annually in the U.S. averaging about 32 per family or ten per person. 

A battery is an electrochemical device with the ability to convert chemical energy to electrical energy to provide power to electronic devices. Batteries contain heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, and nickel, which can contaminate the environment when batteries are improperly disposed of. When incinerated, certain metals might be released into the air or can concentrate in the ash produced by the combustion process. 

� Typical Types of Household Batteries 

— Primary Cells (Non-rechargeable) Common Uses 

— Alkaline* Cassettes players, radios, appliances Carbon-zinc Flashlights, toys, etc. Lithium Cameras, calculators, watches, computers, etc. Mercury Hearing aids, pacemakers, cameras, calculators, watches, etc. Silver Hearing aids, watches, cameras, calculators Zinc Hearing aids, pagers. 

— Secondary Cells (Rechargeable) Common Uses 

— Nickel-cadmium Cameras, rechargeable appliances such as portable power tools, hand held vacuums, etc. Small sealed lead-acid Camcorders, computers, portable radios and tape players, cellular phones, lawn mower starters, etc. 

Used batteries containing hazardous materials (e.g. mercury, cadmium, lead, and silver) are classified as universal waste rather than hazardous waste. This allows Marian University to recycle the batteries, while continuing to ensure that the batteries are handled in an environmentally sound manner. Lead-acid batteries are also recycled. Packaging for disposal instructions should be followed to guard against possible short circuiting. The rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation recommends you do at least one of the following to prepare batteries for recycling. Terminal Protection: Cover the terminals of each battery with non-conductive tape. Place batteries in a separate plastic bag so the terminals will not come in contact with other batteries or metal during storage and transport. 

 

5.2.7.2 Used oil. Label containers holding used oil as “USED OIL”. Used oil can be recycled by local vendors. Documents stating the vendor’s name, date, and amount of material (e.g. one 20 gallon drum) to be recycled should be forwarded to the EHS Specialist to maintain. 

 

.2.7.3 Spent Fluorescent Bulbs. These bulbs require special handling to prevent breakage, during storage and transfer to a certified recycler. Mercury is a toxin that does not dissipate in the environment. It is a bio-accumulative toxin that builds up in the human body, adversely impacting health.

 

Fluorescent lamps contain small amounts of mercury. In 1976, the Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act regulated that mercury must be managed as a hazardous waste. This classification is dependent on amount of mercury collected and the timetable for its disposal.

 

If the weight of the waste lamps is less than 220 pounds, or approximately 300 four-foot T-12 lamps, then the lamps can be considered "Conditionally Exempt Hazardous Waste."

If this exemption is not applicable, the waste can then be managed as "Universal Waste." This classification streamlines the disposal process, saving time and money, while ensuring that the mercury is handled properly. 

 

5.2.7.4 Scrap Metal. Different metals can be recycled by local vendors. Documents stating the vendor’s name, date, and approximate weight should be forwarded to the EHS Specialist to maintain. 

 

5.2.7.5 Computer and Monitor Waste. The Director of Information Technology, Keith Falk is responsible for contracting with a certified recycler any computer wastes that are generated. Currently, we are using 5R Processors Ltd, 600 Gates Avenue West, Ladysmith, WI 54848. Shipping documents (Certificate of Environmental Recycling and Data Destruction, and Invoice) are maintained by the Environmental Health and Safety Specialist – Mark Musser. 

(Example from invoice for shipment on 7.10.2010: 

Environmental Recycle Charge – Monitor - 951 lbs. (0.00) 

Environmental Recycle Charge - Misc. Equipment - 3,743 lbs. (0.00) 

Total 0.00 

 

5.2.7.6 Empty Cans and Containers. Chemical containers that have been emptied (generally this means drained of their contents by normal methods including pouring, pumping, aspirating, etc.) are not regulated as hazardous waste. 

 

5.2.7.7 Training in proper waste handling and emergency procedures. Training will be provided for individuals who handle hazardous waste as part of their job duties. Proper handling and storage procedures will be covered to protect stored items from breakage, or other damage. Containers must be closed, structurally sound, and compatible with its contents. They will also be trained in proper DOT shipping and receiving requirements.