From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU> On Behalf Of Gibbs, Greglynn Dainelle
Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2021 12:43 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] [External] [DCHAS-L] Nitric Acid Disposal

Again, I strongly suggest neutralizing with sodium bicarbonate, and then storing. This is common practice for acidic/basic wastes. Additionally, leaving a waste container open/vented is against OSHA policy, as waste should always be neutralized and stored properly. If the waste contains any flammable substances, it must be stored with flammable waste. If the volumes produced are small enough, you can probably separate the organic from the aqueous layer (post-neutralization) and store the flammable organic waste accordingly. It would probably be prudent to neutralize the waste after each experiment instead of collecting and waiting to neutralize in bulk. 

Here is the link to a very helpful document that you can modify for your specific procedure and needs, including waste tracking. The document also contains links to specific references for neutralization and handling of nitric acid wastes. 

Bench top Treatment Neutralization Procedure for Nitric Acid

As long as you remain calm, PPE up, and work in the hood with secondary containment in case of spill, you should be fine. Panic and stress yields accidents. 

Best,

Greglynn

Hello Patricia,

Again, I strongly suggest neutralizing with sodium bicarbonate, and then storing. This is common practice for acidic/basic wastes. Additionally, leaving a waste container open/vented is against OSHA policy, as waste should always be neutralized and stored properly. If the waste contains any flammable substances, it must be stored with flammable waste. If the volumes produced are small enough, you can probably separate the organic from the aqueous layer (post-neutralization) and store the flammable organic waste accordingly. It would probably be prudent to neutralize the waste after each experiment instead of collecting and waiting to neutralize in bulk. 

I have attached a document that you can modify for your specific procedure and needs, including waste tracking. The document also contains links to specific references for neutralization and handling of nitric acid wastes. 

As long as you remain calm, PPE up, and work in the hood with secondary containment in case of spill, you should be fine. Panic and stress yields accidents. 

Best,

Greglynn

From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU> on behalf of Samuella Sigmann <sigmannsb**At_Symbol_Here**APPSTATE.EDU>
Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2021 9:58 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] [External] [DCHAS-L] Nitric Acid Disposal

I would suggest a vented cap on the waste bottle.
S-

Hello,

I had a question from one of the organic chemists here about how to store the waste from a nitration using nitric acid in a dichloromentane/acetic acid solvent. He says there are several examples of this nitration in the literature, but I am still wary. While the reaction is open to the atmosphere, I am worried about storing it until it can be disposed of. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

 

Patricia Leach

Environmental Health and Safety Coordinator

Campus Operations and Safety

P: 903.468.3278 C: 316.644.8255

Mail: P.O. Box 3011, Commerce, TX 75429

 

 

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--- For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org Follow us on Twitter **At_Symbol_Here**acsdchas