Difference between revisions of "Proper disposal of chemicals"

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(fixed table)
(Added the rest)
Line 73: Line 73:
 
! scope="col"|Into the soil
 
! scope="col"|Into the soil
 
! scope="col"|Environmental considerations
 
! scope="col"|Environmental considerations
 +
|-
 +
| [[1,2-Dichloroethane]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[1,4-Dioxane]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[2,2,4-Trimethylpentane]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[Acetic acid]]
 
| [[Acetic acid]]
Line 101: Line 136:
 
| Not advised
 
| Not advised
 
| Biodegradable; not advised
 
| Biodegradable; not advised
 +
|-
 +
| [[]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[Acetylene]]
 
| [[Acetylene]]
Line 115: Line 157:
 
|Yes
 
|Yes
 
|Biodegradable
 
|Biodegradable
 +
|-
 +
| [[]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[Aluminium chloride]]
 
| [[Aluminium chloride]]
 
|Treatment with water, precipitation with a base
 
|Treatment with water, precipitation with a base
−
|No effect
+
|No effect; Water solutions however will give off hydrogen chloride vapors
 
|Not advised
 
|Not advised
 
|Yes
 
|Yes
−
|
+
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Aluminium nitrate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|  
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[Ammonia]]
 
| [[Ammonia]]
Line 150: Line 206:
 
|Oh yes!
 
|Oh yes!
 
| Safe, good fertilizer (nitrogen source)
 
| Safe, good fertilizer (nitrogen source)
 +
|-
 +
| [[]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Asbestos]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[Ascorbic acid]]
 
| [[Ascorbic acid]]
Line 157: Line 227:
 
| Yes
 
| Yes
 
| Safe, biodegradable
 
| Safe, biodegradable
 +
|-
 +
| [[Barium ferrate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[Barium manganate]]
 
| [[Barium manganate]]
Line 164: Line 241:
 
|Yes
 
|Yes
 
|
 
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Basic lead chromate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[Benzene]]
 
| [[Benzene]]
Line 180: Line 264:
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[Bismuth trioxide]]
 
| [[Bismuth trioxide]]
−
|Reduced to bismuth metal
+
| Reduced to bismuth metal
 
| Will oxidize anything (yes, platinum too) when molten
 
| Will oxidize anything (yes, platinum too) when molten
 
|
 
|
Line 199: Line 283:
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Butanol]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Butyl acetate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Caesium hydroxide]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[Calcium acetate]]
 
| [[Calcium acetate]]
Line 206: Line 311:
 
|Yes
 
|Yes
 
|Biodegradable
 
|Biodegradable
 +
|-
 +
| [[Calcium carbide]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Calcium carbonate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Calcium fluoride]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Calcium hydroxide]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Calcium nitrate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Calcium sulfate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Carbon dioxide]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Carbon disulfide]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Carbon monoxide]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Carbon monoxide]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Carbon tetrachloride]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Carbonic acid]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Charcoal]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Chevreul's salt]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Chloric acid]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Chloroauric acid]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Chlorobutanol]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[Chloroform]]
 
| [[Chloroform]]
−
|Destruction with aqueous sodium hydroxide, which can be aided by methanol or acetone; Oxidation with [[Fenton's reagent]]
+
| Destruction with aqueous sodium hydroxide, which can be aided by methanol or acetone; Oxidation with [[Fenton's reagent]]
−
|Boils to form vapor, should not be attempted indoors
+
| Boils to form vapor, should not be attempted indoors
−
|DO NOT DUMP
+
| DO NOT DUMP
 
| No
 
| No
−
|May cause ozone depletion, dangerous to aquatic life
+
| May cause ozone depletion, dangerous to aquatic life
 +
|-
 +
| [[Chromium(III) oxide]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Chromium(III) sulfate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Citric acid]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Cobalt(II) chloride]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Copper(I) chloride]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Copper(II) acetylsalicylate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Copper(II carbonate)]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[Copper(II) chloride]]
 
| [[Copper(II) chloride]]
Line 221: Line 494:
 
| Kills aquatic life and plant roots
 
| Kills aquatic life and plant roots
 
|-
 
|-
−
|
+
| [[Copper(II) hydroxide]]
−
|
+
|
−
|
+
|
−
|
+
|
−
|
+
|
−
|
+
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Copper(II) nitrate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Copper(II) oxide]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Copper(II) chromite]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Copper oxychloride]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Copper(II) phosphate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Copper(II) sulfate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Curcumin]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Cyclohexane]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Dichloromethane]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Diethyl ether]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Diisopropyl ether]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Dimethyl sulfoxide]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Dimethylformamide]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Dipicolinic acid]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Disulfur dichloride]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Ethane]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Ethanol]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Ethyl acetate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Ethylene glycol]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Ethylene glycol dinitrate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Ethylenediamine]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Formic acid]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Glycerol]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Heptane]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Hexane]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Hydrazoic acid]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Hydrobromic acid]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Hydrochloric acid]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Hydrofluoric acid]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Hydrogen chloride]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Hydrogen peroxide]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Hydrogen sulfide]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Hydroiodic acid]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Iron(II) sulfate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Iron(II,III) oxide]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Iron(III) chloride]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Iron(III) sulfate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Isobutanol]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Isopropanol]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Isopropyl nitrite]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Lead(II) acetate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Lead(II) chromate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Lead(II) nitrate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Lead(II) oxide]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Lead(II,IV) oxide]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Lead(IV) acetate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Limonene]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Lithium aluminium hydride]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Lithium chloride]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Lithium hydroxide]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Magnesium sulfate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Manganese dioxide]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Manganese heptoxide]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Methane]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Methanol]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Methyl ethyl ketone]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Methyl formate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Methyl salicylate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Methyl tert-butyl ether]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Naphthalene]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Neodymium oxalate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Nicotine]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Nitric acid]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Nitrogen dioxide]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Nitrogen trichloride]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Nitrogen triiodide]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Nitroglycerin]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Nitromethane]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Nitrous oxide]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Octyl acetate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Oxalic acid]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Ozone]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Perchloric acid]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Permanganic acid]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Peroxymonosulfuric acid]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Petroleum ether]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Phenol]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Phosphoric acid]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Potassium bromide]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Potassium carbonate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Potassium chlorate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Potassium chloride]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Potassium ferrate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Potassium hydroxide]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Potassium iodide]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Potassium manganate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Potassium metabisulfite]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Potassium nitrate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Potassium permanganate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Propane]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Propylene glycol]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Prussian blue]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Pyranine]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Pyridine]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Rosocyanine]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Schweizer's reagent]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Silicon dioxide]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Silver nitrate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Sodium benzoate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Sodium bicarbonate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Sodium bisulfate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Sodium carbonate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Sodium chloride]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Sodium hydroxide]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Sodium hypochlorite]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Sodium metabisulfite]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Sodium nitrate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Sodium perchlorate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Sodium silicate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Sodium sulfate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Strontium carbonate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Strontium oxide]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Sucrose]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Sulfur dichloride]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Sulfur hexafluoride]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Sulfuric acid]]
 +
|  
 +
|  
 +
|  
 +
|  
 +
|  
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[Terbium(III) oxide]]
 
| [[Terbium(III) oxide]]
Line 235: Line 1,320:
 
| Effects unknown, may stimulate plant growth
 
| Effects unknown, may stimulate plant growth
 
|-
 
|-
−
|
+
| [[Tetraamine copper(II) complex]]
−
|
+
|  
−
|
+
|  
−
|
+
|  
−
|
+
|  
−
|
+
|  
 
|-
 
|-
−
|
+
| [[Tetraaminecopper(II) persulphate]]
−
|
+
|  
−
|
+
|  
−
|
+
|  
−
|
+
|  
−
|
+
|  
 
|-
 
|-
−
|
+
| [[Tetrachlorocupric acid]]
−
|
+
|  
−
|
+
|  
−
|
+
|  
−
|
+
|  
−
|
+
|  
 
|-
 
|-
−
|
+
| [[Tetrahydrofuran]]
−
|
+
|  
−
|
+
|  
−
|
+
|  
−
|
+
|  
−
|
+
|  
 
|-
 
|-
−
|
+
| [[Tin(IV) chloride]]
−
|
+
|  
−
|
+
|  
−
|
+
|  
−
|
+
|  
−
|
+
|  
 
|-
 
|-
−
|
+
| [[Toluene]]
−
|
+
|  
−
|
+
|  
−
|
+
|  
−
|
+
|  
−
|
+
|  
 
|-
 
|-
−
|
+
| [[Trimethyl borate]]
−
|
+
|  
−
|
+
|  
−
|
+
|  
−
|
+
|  
−
|
+
|  
 
|-
 
|-
−
|
+
| [[Tris(ethylenediamine)nickel perchlorate]]
−
|
+
|  
−
|
+
|  
−
|
+
|  
−
|
+
|  
−
|
+
|  
 
|-
 
|-
−
|
+
| [[Urea]]
−
|
+
|  
−
|
+
|  
−
|
+
|  
−
|
+
|  
−
|
+
|  
 
|-
 
|-
−
|
+
| [[Vanadium pentoxide]]
−
|
+
|  
−
|
+
|  
−
|
+
|  
−
|
+
|  
−
|
+
|  
 
|-
 
|-
−
|
+
| [[Water]]
−
|
+
|
−
|
+
|
−
|
+
|
−
|
+
|
−
|
+
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Xylene]]
 +
|  
 +
|  
 +
|  
 +
|  
 +
|  
 
|-
 
|-
−
|
+
| [[Xylitol]]
−
|
+
|
−
|
+
|
−
|
+
|
−
|
+
|
−
|
+
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Zinc carbonate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Zinc chromate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Zinc oxide]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Zinc peroxide]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Zinc sulfate]]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| [[Zinc sulfide]]
 +
|  
 +
|  
 +
|  
 +
|  
 +
|  
 
|}
 
|}
  

Revision as of 13:48, 2 September 2015

Most chemicals used by the amateur chemist come from every day use and do not require special treatment before being discarded in the usual way. However there are many chemicals, such as heavy metal compounds or organic solvents, that require special disposal techniques. In the interest of keeping lab costs low, though, it may be a good idea to look into ways to recycle and recover chemicals such as solvents, which can be reclaimed by distillation.

Standard procedures

Acids

Acids should be neutralized with a base, such as carbonate/bicarbonate, hydroxide (calcium hydroxide e.g.) usually as a solution. The soluble salts of halogen acids and oxoacids (except perchloric and chloric acids) can be safely poured down the drain. Special acids and their salts, such as hydrazoic acid and azides must not be poured directly down the drain, they must be treated with nitrous acid to destroy them.

Oxidizing mixtures, such as Aqua regia, piranha solution or mixed acid must also never be poured down the drain, as they're much more dangerous than simple acids, and can wreak havoc on your plumbing. Instead, they must be neutralized first.

Bases

Alkali hydroxides can be left in open air to absorb carbon dioxide as well as corrosive and unpleasant gases, forming carbonates and salts. For quicker results, alkali bases can be neutralized with any acid, though for practical and economical purposes, acetic acid or citric acid are sufficient. Bases may be reused to absorb acidic vapors in a desiccator, which mitigates their dangers. Care must be taken to avoid excess heating with strong bases.

Cyanides

Waste containing cyanide, either from gold refining or from organic extractions of alkaloids from cyanide containing plants, must be neutralized with bleach or hydrogen peroxide, to turn them into less harmful cyanates. Cyanates can be further neutralized to nitrogen and carbon dioxide.

Cyanides must never be poured down the drain.

Heavy metals

Since the biggest hazard comes from the volatile and soluble heavy metal compounds, it's best to convert them into insoluble compounds, which are less toxic.

Heavy metals, such as mercury, can often be neutralized with sulfur, generating mercury(II) sulfide, which is generally insoluble in water and has little reactivity.

Very dangerous heavy metals such as cadmium and arsenic should always be properly disposed of at designated facilities, as their effects on human life and the environment is sometimes catastrophic.

Inorganic anions

Inorganic anions, based on halogens, sulfur, phosphorus, nitrogen, carbon and silicon can be flushed down the drain with lots of water. Examples of these are sulfide, sulfate, chloride, chlorate, nitrate, nitrite, thiocyanate.[1]

Metal ions

A good rule of thumb for transition metals is to convert solutions of their ions to the insoluble carbonate or oxide, often one of the most stable and nontoxic forms of these elements, prior to disposal. Another simple solution is to reduce the ions back to the metal.

Copper salts are dangerous to the environment and should be reduced with iron to elemental copper, that can be reused, and the iron salts produced are less toxic.

Nickel-containing compounds, especially organonickel compounds, are carcinogens, and are also dangerous to many other forms of life. It is a good idea to take these to a proper waste disposal facility.

Cobalt salts may be carcinogenic and should be taken to a proper waste disposal facility.

Aluminium compounds should not be disposed in the sewage. They can, however, be converted to aluminium sulfate, which is safe to dispose of in soil, though it will cause a decrease in pH(it is used as a fertilizer for this purpose). It is a good idea to dispose of aluminium sulfate and a safe basic compound (such as calcium carbonate) at the same time.

Many compounds of chromium, especially chromium(VI), are poisonous and carcinogenic. These should be converted to the +3 oxidation state; hydrogen peroxide as well as sulfites or thiosulfate will do this, which is typically the least harmful, preferably to chromium(III) oxide. Chromium dioxide may be another feasible option, as it is found in cassette tapes and can be recycled with them.

Zinc compounds can be refined to zinc metal using electrowinning. It's not recommended to use zinc compounds as zinc supplemements for soil or livestock, as it may contain traces of cadmium.

Some MSDS sheets recommend that rare earths be converted to their oxalates or carbonates and disposed of in the trash.

Alkali metals are minimally toxic as their salts and may be dumped down the drain.

Organic compounds

Organic solvents should be dumped in labeled waste tanks, such as: halogenated, non-halogenated solvents. Flammable organic solvents that safe in low exposures such as ethanol, methanol, and acetone can often simply be burned outside for disposal, as most often their combustion products are simply carbon dioxide and water. It may be a better idea just to recover them by distillation, though.

A good way to destroy halogentated and aromatic compounds is with Fenton's reagent, which breaks them down to simpler non-toxic compounds. It's best however, to avoid dumping large quantities of waste, as the reaction in exothermic and may splash or volatilize some of the waste, so it's best to perform the neutralization in small steps.

Organic salts, such as acetates and oxalates can be pyrolyzed to carbonates and water vapors.

Recycling

Main article: Reagent recycling

Sometimes it is an option to purify waste products into chemicals that are pure enough to be used again. While this can sometimes be time consuming, it can often be more environmentally and economically friendly than discarding the waste in one manner or another is. Before discarding waste, think about what all it contains, and if there is some way that it could be used.

Down the drain vs. into the soil

The availability of these disposal methods varies depending on where you live. If you live in an apartment block, you only have the drain. If you live in a suburban house, you have both. If you live in some quaint rustic shithole like the author of this edit, you only have the "into the soil" option.

Generally, the soil option is safer, because there is no plumbing you should worry about, but some chemicals shouldn't be released into the soil, either. In general, your designated place for pouring chemicals into the soil should be far from any gardens, horticulture or any other agricultural objects. But chemicals marked as "Oh yes!" in the table are harmless and even useful in agriculture as fertilizers. These you can pour down in your garden.

Other

Heavy metal salts or solutions can be mixed with cement, and trapped in the resulted concrete block. The resulting block can also be covered in another layer of cement, to reduce the diffusion of the heavy metals. Unless the resulting concrete is damaged, broken and dissolved in acid, the heavy metal ions will not be released. However, this merely is a method to prevent the heavy metals from being released in the environment, and is not a permanent way of disposal.

Chemical disposal table

Substance Neutralization Heat treatment Down the drain Into the soil Environmental considerations
1,2-Dichloroethane
1,4-Dioxane
2,2,4-Trimethylpentane
[[]]
[[]]
Acetic acid Bicarbonates, carbonates, bases, oxides Flammable (high concentrations), no dangerous combustion products Yes Yes Safe, biodegradable; avoid dumping large amounts, acidifies soil
Acetic anhydride Bicarbonates, carbonates, bases, oxides Flammable, no dangerous combustion products Yes Yes Biodegradable; avoid dumping large amounts, acidifies soil
Acetone Oxidation, reducing, photolysis Flammable, no dangerous combustion products Not advised Yes Biodegradable; not advised
Acetone peroxide Photolysis, detonation in safe area Explosive, not recommended Not advised Not advised Biodegradable; not advised
[[]]
Acetylene Oxidation, photolysis Dangerously flammable Not possible Not possible Biodegradable
Acetylsalicylic acid Any base Not particularly helpful Yes Yes Biodegradable
[[]]
Aluminium chloride Treatment with water, precipitation with a base No effect; Water solutions however will give off hydrogen chloride vapors Not advised Yes
Aluminium nitrate
Ammonia Oxidation, neutralization with acids At high concentrations Not possible (gaseous), safe to pour (as solution) Not possible (gaseous), safe to pour (as solution) Biodegradable
Ammonium acetate Unnecessary -- Yes Yes Safe, biodegradable
Ammonium bicarbonate Pyrolysis, hydroxides, acids Decomposes on heating Yes Oh yes! Safe, good fertilizer (nitrogen source)
Ammonium nitrate Pyrolysis, Hydroxides, carbonates Emits nitrous oxide, may explode if the temperature is too high Yes Oh yes! Safe, good fertilizer (nitrogen source)
[[]]
Asbestos
Ascorbic acid Unnecessary Yes Yes Safe, biodegradable
Barium ferrate
Barium manganate Sulfuric acid Not advised Yes
Basic lead chromate
Benzene Oxidation with Fenton's reagent Generates dangerous combustion products DO NOT DUMP No Avoid releasing in environment
Bis(ethylenediamine)copper(II) perchlorate Crystallize and ignite safely Detonates DO NOT DUMP No Copper kills aquatic life and plant roots
Bismuth trioxide Reduced to bismuth metal Will oxidize anything (yes, platinum too) when molten
Boric acid
Boron trioxide
Butanol
Butyl acetate
Caesium hydroxide
Calcium acetate Pyrolysis Decomposes to calcium carbonate and acetone at high temperature Yes Yes Biodegradable
Calcium carbide
Calcium carbonate
Calcium fluoride
Calcium hydroxide
Calcium nitrate
Calcium sulfate
Carbon dioxide
Carbon disulfide
Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide
Carbon tetrachloride
Carbonic acid
Charcoal
Chevreul's salt
Chloric acid
Chloroauric acid
Chlorobutanol
Chloroform Destruction with aqueous sodium hydroxide, which can be aided by methanol or acetone; Oxidation with Fenton's reagent Boils to form vapor, should not be attempted indoors DO NOT DUMP No May cause ozone depletion, dangerous to aquatic life
Chromium(III) oxide
Chromium(III) sulfate
Citric acid
Cobalt(II) chloride
Copper(I) chloride
Copper(II) acetylsalicylate
Copper(II carbonate)
Copper(II) chloride Precipitate as carbonate or reduce to copper metal using aluminum Loses water, turns brown DO NOT DUMP Yes but far from any agricultural plants Kills aquatic life and plant roots
Copper(II) hydroxide
Copper(II) nitrate
Copper(II) oxide
Copper(II) chromite
Copper oxychloride
Copper(II) phosphate
Copper(II) sulfate
Curcumin
Cyclohexane
Dichloromethane
Diethyl ether
Diisopropyl ether
Dimethyl sulfoxide
Dimethylformamide
Dipicolinic acid
Disulfur dichloride
Ethane
Ethanol
Ethyl acetate
Ethylene glycol
Ethylene glycol dinitrate
Ethylenediamine
Formic acid
Glycerol
Heptane
Hexane
Hydrazoic acid
Hydrobromic acid
Hydrochloric acid
Hydrofluoric acid
Hydrogen chloride
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen sulfide
Hydroiodic acid
Iron(II) sulfate
Iron(II,III) oxide
Iron(III) chloride
Iron(III) sulfate
Isobutanol
Isopropanol
Isopropyl nitrite
Lead(II) acetate
Lead(II) chromate
Lead(II) nitrate
Lead(II) oxide
Lead(II,IV) oxide
Lead(IV) acetate
Limonene
Lithium aluminium hydride
Lithium chloride
Lithium hydroxide
Magnesium sulfate
Manganese dioxide
Manganese heptoxide
Methane
Methanol
Methyl ethyl ketone
Methyl formate
Methyl salicylate
Methyl tert-butyl ether
Naphthalene
Neodymium oxalate
Nicotine
Nitric acid
Nitrogen dioxide
Nitrogen trichloride
Nitrogen triiodide
Nitroglycerin
Nitromethane
Nitrous oxide
Octyl acetate
Oxalic acid
Ozone
Perchloric acid
Permanganic acid
Peroxymonosulfuric acid
Petroleum ether
Phenol
Phosphoric acid
Potassium bromide
Potassium carbonate
Potassium chlorate
Potassium chloride
Potassium ferrate
Potassium hydroxide
Potassium iodide
Potassium manganate
Potassium metabisulfite
Potassium nitrate
Potassium permanganate
Propane
Propylene glycol
Prussian blue
Pyranine
Pyridine
Rosocyanine
Schweizer's reagent
Silicon dioxide
Silver nitrate
Sodium benzoate
Sodium bicarbonate
Sodium bisulfate
Sodium carbonate
Sodium chloride
Sodium hydroxide
Sodium hypochlorite
Sodium metabisulfite
Sodium nitrate
Sodium perchlorate
Sodium silicate
Sodium sulfate
Strontium carbonate
Strontium oxide
Sucrose
Sulfur dichloride
Sulfur hexafluoride
Sulfuric acid
Terbium(III) oxide Unnecessary, simply dump in trash Releases absorbed water or carbon dioxide Unnecessary Effects unknown, may stimulate plant growth
Tetraamine copper(II) complex
Tetraaminecopper(II) persulphate
Tetrachlorocupric acid
Tetrahydrofuran
Tin(IV) chloride
Toluene
Trimethyl borate
Tris(ethylenediamine)nickel perchlorate
Urea
Vanadium pentoxide
Water
Xylene
Xylitol
Zinc carbonate
Zinc chromate
Zinc oxide
Zinc peroxide
Zinc sulfate
Zinc sulfide

References

  1. ↑ http://woelen.homescience.net/science/chem/exps/rules.html

Relevant Sciencemadness threads

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