The key is in meticulous organization. If substances are properly grouped and segregated during transit, whether the waste is on its way to a second location or to a disposal facility, adverse reactions can be avoided.
About 500 chemicals, when they are disposed of, are classified by the EPA as hazardous waste. The State of New Jersey regulates the disposal and transportation of these
chemicals, which include: materials that are flammable, chemicals that are corrosive, reactive substances, and those that are toxic to health.
When working with certain highly dangerous materials, extra care should be taken in ensuring each chemical is placed in its own separate container. These chemicals include:
- concentrated or fuming sulfuric acid
- perchloric acid
- nitric acid
- water sensitive compounds
- shock sensitive compounds
- cyanide compounds
- Mixtures that contain chemicals of different hazard classes
Other chemicals are not as sensitive, and can be placed with other substances made of similar material. Below is a chart of chemical hazard class groups. Each group of chemicals may be mixed together in the same container during transportation, but must be kept clear of the other chemical classes.
Chemical Hazard Class |
Example of chemicals within class |
Flammable/Combustible solvents |
acetone, xylene, methanol |
Halogenated solvents |
chloroform, methylene chloride |
Nitrogenous hydrocarbon |
trimethylamine, diisopropylamine |
Sulfurous hydrocarbon |
dimethylsulfoxide, dimethylsulfate |
Mineral acid |
hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid |
Organic acid |
trichloroacetic acid, formic acid, acetic acid |
Bases |
calcium oxide, sodium hydroxide |
Aqueous solution |
metal salts, ethidium bromide |
Oils |
vacuum pump oil, motor oil |
Hazardous wastes are quite common in scientific and manufacturing fields and are produced by many different types of companies, including laboratories, chemical manufacturers and oil refineries. Companies that are usually on a smaller scale, like dry cleaners, auto repair shops, and photo processing centers, can also generate waste that can be toxic. But by grouping and separating volatile wastes by chemical class, these materials can be dealt with in a safe way by any business.