Hi Dan and Jeff,

Thank you for your thorough responses, I feel much more confident in my decision of what to do now.  I agree that I might be able to defend disposing of the acetone saturated filters as non- hazardous, but since they are technically not wipes I’ll discard as hazardous waste (I’m thinking I shouldn’t take advantage of an exemption allowing us to be practical about wipes). 

 

Having a clear understanding of this regulation will help me when training the chemists why they can’t treat listed solvent waste via evaporation in the hoods.  

 

 

Mary: The filters would be listed (F003) if spent acetone containing solvent contacted them. You might have an argument if the acetone is associated with the filter as a product(not a spent solvent) of some kind during its life cycle as the regulation is silent on this situation. If not, they are not hazardous and would not be flammable if wet unless spontaneously combustible. Note that if a listed solvent and you are evaporating in a hood, that is considered treatment without a permit so it’s safe to avoid grey areas with the regulations in these circumstances. I would advise that your state or EPA might have specific guidance on this that would trump my interpretation of the rule in IN.

 

 

 

Hello,

The solvent contaminated wipes final rule (40 CFR 261.4(b)(18) which conditionally excludes IPA / methanol / acetone ect..disposable solvent cleaning wipes as hazardous waste allows us to put them in a sealable container / label as excluded solvent contaminated wipes and discard in the municipal trash. 

 

My question is what if I have a filter saturated in acetone (not used to clean) can I put it in the same excluded solvent contaminated wipes container or do I have to dispose of this filter as hazardous waste.  Right now scientists air dry in the hood and dispose of in the municipal trash which I’m working on changing.  I don’t want to break any regulations but I also don’t want to unnecessarily split hairs. 

 

Thanks,

 

Mary Biersack

Lab Safety and Chemical Hygiene Specialist

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.

P: +1 610-594-3278

530 Herman O. West Drive | Exton, PA 19341 | United States

 

 

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