After 10 years as an analytical chemist at a chemical plant, I have dicided to open my own HPLC/IC/GC lab in Austin, Tx. I was wondering if any of you member could help we get this project off the ground. Are there state agencies, one must contact, are there any permits, etc. And one big questions was is the law concering lab waste? In this case, when using LC, is it legal to pour the waste down the drain?

Thanks

what did you do with your waste over the last 10 years....?

really constructive.....numbnuts!!!

to fight environmental pollution is constructive!

To original poster: if your lab skills are on a par with your spelling and typing, then good luck.

My understanding is as follows. It is unlawful to dispose of waste into the sewer containing any amount of flammable solvents, because it could cause an explosion in the drain / sewer pipes. It is unlawful to dispose of waste that has too high or low pH. I don't know the exact range, but any such waste must be neutralized to near 6-8 before disposal. Acidic or basic waste could cause corrosion or problems with the waste treatment process. Also, there is a list of materials (e.g. cyanide, fluoride, various heavy metals) that it is unlawful to discharge into the sewer due to toxicity. Any materials in the above categories must be clearly labeled "hazardous waste". These are the restrictions in my U.S. locality, and there may be others. Given these restrictions, it is easier to consider all reverse-phase LC eluent as hazardous waste, and not dispose of it down the drain. We don't do IC in my lab, but it is possible that some of your IC eluent would be non-hazardous or could be neutralized to be non-hazardous. You should probably contact your state's environmental agency to find out more details.

In my understanding, you're also limited by what your local wastewater treatment plant can a) treat and b) discharge. It is possible that there are local ordinances that are more strict than those imposed by the state. For that reason I'd get in touch with the local wastewater treatment utility; they should have someone who can help you. I see no sense in carting everything off to a hazwaste site if the treatment plant can safely convert it to CO2 and water. The key words are "safely" and "legally," in my opinion.

I spend several years in a major pharma company and we used to wash our glassware with ethanol and acetone in a lab sink. I believe that there is no issue of dumping main water soluble solvents (ethanol, acetone, IPA). Acetonitrile and THF might be a problem. Usually you can arrange waste disposal company in your area to pick up organic waste. Another thought that if you consider the waste your are going to generate and all waste coming from your neighbors it is going to be a very small amount. Contact your local EPA office

The EPA frowns on all organic waste going down the drain including methanol,ethanol,acetone, and IPA. The really bad new is you are going to be forced to deal with 3 levels of regulations (local, state, feds). Good Luck.

Dear Anonymous: (1) A very good friend of mine owns a lab in Austin and tells me the city regulations and inspections are quite harsh. You should contact the city to determine the specifics regarding your business, the type chemicals stored in your facility and the permits that will be required. (2) You will need to contact the DPS because you will need a permit for buying chemicals and they will inspect yearly. (3) In my city the Fire Department does routine inspections and I have to also have a permit from them. (4) If you have never owned a business I recommend you contatc a very good CPA for your accounting and I also recommend you contact a lawyer to help you organize and be very legal. If you are to have employees you must register your business with the state and IRS...other than that...you will have a lot of competition so I highly suggest you know your competition and their pricing. Hope this helps. Best wishes!