Disposal of test solutions

Hi guys and gals, just wondering about another method of disposing of the solutions that does'nt involve dumping them down the drain. I was reading the MSDS sheets on some of these chemicals and they're not very eco-friendly. Any suggestions?

Thanks for any input,
Doug.

 

I believe that the very minute amount of chemicals that we use in each test really doesn't affect anything. I usually rinse mine down with plenty of water. One way to take away a couple tests would be to purchase say a ph monitor although the ph dye is not as bad as others monitors would limit the overall amount of chemicals you are washing down your drain every year, no matter how small that is.

 

That is what I used to think as well but after reading the MSDS it says NOT to put it down the drain. (mostly the NO3 solutions) Im not looking to pollute my river as our waste water after being treated goes directly into it. Im also an avid trout fisher and as it is they tell me I should only eat 4 trout a year from these waters.

 

For the last year I worked a part of a research team identifying new proteins at a university. We used a lot of chemicals that were carcinogenic and toxic. We would dump almost everything down the drain that was in small quantity, sucks as the test solutions. The reason we could do this is because
1. When mixed with water on the way down. The concentration of the solution is rapidly decreased to close to undetectable. When you look at PPM it's practically undetectable if you let water run with your solution for a minute.
2. A lot of chemicals with bind with other chemicals and ions in the water. This causes the solution to become inert. Meaning it cannot react.

It's not as if you are dumping gallons of this stuff in the water system everyday. If that was the case then there would be something to worry about. The amount of the reagent your using is miniscule in comparison. It has a better chance of hurting you rather than wildlife.

 

How many hobbyists are doing it though? Is it okay if I just put a little bit of arsenic in your coffee?
My marine science degree says this is bad for us. 40+ views and little response here. Seems everyone is more concerned about a glass box than their childrens futures. Im very familiar with the effluent at WWTPs also and the crap that gets put back into YOUR drinking water supply isnt so hot bud. JM2CW

bottoms up.

 

Well you have too look at the geographic location of the hobbyist. How many are actually testing on the same day in the same water supply to even make a noticeable difference. The possibility of that is very small. And once again you have to look at the chemistry of it like I stated above. The environment and animals can deal with certain concentrations. Arsenic for example is needed by the body in very small amounts. At higher levels its toxic. Now if one can afford to dispose of reagents to a proper chemical company I'm all for that. A lot of our reagents were disposed of this way. Some were not. I'm not trying to make enemies.

 

Me neither SWIM and im sorry if I came across with an attitude but it all goes down stream right? If I dump a little and then you do...then all the rest do the ratios get a little higher. It may be only 1/10 of 1 billion % as far as the water supply goes but I think if you look at the EPA guidelines your not suppose to put ANY of it down the drain.

 

So what's the answer ?
I love hearing all the debates, how naught we are being to the Eco system, blah blah, global warming yeah yeah, everyone is quick to point out what's wrong, but never how to fix it.

I work in the tar sands in Alberta, we are constantly the targets of the "tree huggers" who all drive the 5 hours north to come and tell us how terrible we are, then drive the 5 hours back.
I can tell you that we are constantly monitored, constantly audited, constantly probed and constantly making imporvments to the processes and the way in which we do business.
I run an effluent field that is 3 x 6 Kms in size, this is the by product of my Accomodations units, some goes there, some generates steam to remove the oil from the sand, and some goes onto the ground for dust abatement, we don't waste anything.

All the tests and laws we abide to and the efforts we take trying to be "clean", yest the world still points a finger and says boo !

Well guess what ? Stop driving your cars, stop riding your bikes, stop cutting your grass, stop buying or using petro chemical products, put me out of business, stop the requirement for fuels, start gardening and farming by manual labour, go back to using coal for energy, open more nuclear power plants, make more solar powered plants (still use fuels by the way to run them and make them) open a wind farm outside every school and public beach, that's the only way the world can continue without making these products.

Rant over, I love the world and I try to d my part to keep it sweet, I am open to suggestions, but in the mean time, I will continue doing the best I can to be safe, clean and environmentally aware.

 

So in your opinion Ken we should just dump the **** down the drain? I dont believe in global warming mind you. A bunch of hoopla if you ask me. 30 billion years of global temperature changes and then someone whos been here 60 years has a thought. Its a continuing climate shift. Global climate changes happened well before humans were ever here and they will continue to happen after were gone.heres the disposal requirements for the NO3 waste according to the msds for the manufacturer. hate me if you want.US EPA Waste Number & Descriptions
A. General Product Information
Corrosivity characteristic: use EPA hazardous waste number D002 (waste code C)
Disposal Instructions
All waste must be handled in accordance with local, state and federal regulations.
• Recycle wherever possible.
• Consult manufacturer for recycling options or consult Waste Management Authority for disposal if no
suitable treatment or disposal facility can be identified.
• Treat and neutralize at an approved treatment plant. Treatment should involve: Neutralization with soda-ash
or soda-lime followed by:
• Burial in a licensed land-fill or Incineration in a licensed apparatus (after admixture with suitable
combustible material).
• Decontaminate empty containers with 5% aqueous sodium hydroxide or soda ash, followed by water. Observe all
label safeguards until containers are cleaned and destroyed.
Puncture containers to prevent re-use and bury at an authorized landfill.

 

again please dont get me wrong and im sorry if I come across as an ass**** I was looking for a better alternative as I dump my waste down the drain too.