Hazardous Waste Management - the Latex and Solvent Based Cans - Essay Example

Hazardous Waste Management - the Latex and Solvent Based CansRegulatory CitationThe 55 gallon drum that is not closed may be viewed as empty according to RCRA. The 55 gallon drum does not contain more than one inch of latex paint at the bottom. As indicated by section 40 CFR 261.7 (b) (1), a container that contains what is perceived to be hazardous may be considered empty if a number of conditions are met. One, if all wastes have been taken off that can be taken off utilizing frequently used activities from that design of container.

Two, if there is no more than one inch of deposit remaining at the base of the container. Three, the container may be perceived to be empty if not more than three percent of the weight of the entire size of the container remains if the container is equivalent to or less than 110 gallons in volume. Four, a container is seen as empty if less than 0.3 percent of the weight of the entire size of the container is constant if the container’s size is larger than 110 gallons (Orloff, & Falk, 2003).

What should be done with the bulging 55 gallon container and the mirror back paint drum? Containers with sizeable drumming should be handled with extreme caution because they are more probable to have fairly tremendous inner pressures. Before any handling, the bulging 55 gallon container must be physically assessed to attain significant information on the content. The flex test should be conducted on the bulging 55 gallon container by carrying out downward force to the container utilizing the palm heel.

Nonetheless, additional methods may be employed together with the flex tests to establish if the container is pressurized. If it is probable, the container should not be moved due to the internal pressure. If it has to be removed from the location, the container should be handled with a grappler unit designed for containing an explosion. The container may be cautiously overpacked or transported far away to permit lying on firm surface. Despite being approximately half full, the mirror back paint drum should be moved to a location away from the workers or general public.

The container should be placed in a household hazardous waste collection site. Also, the paint may be solidified through a cautious process (Orloff, & Falk, 2003).What should be done with the old paint cans – the latex and solvent based cans?The dried solvent based paint cans should be sealed. Then, the cans should be put in several plastic waste bags and then the bags should be tightly shut. Afterwards, the sealed plastic waste bags may be placed with other facility wastes. The wet latex paint cans should be placed in an upside-down manner for the paint to develop a seal all-around the cover.

In addition, the wet latex paint containers can be dried by adding absorbent substances, for example, sand or shredded newspaper to quicken the drying process. After the paint is thickened or hardened, cover the container and put in a plastic waste bag and shut (Orloff, & Falk, 2003). Finally, both the latex and solvent based cans should be placed away from where there may be flame or reactive materials.ReferencesOrloff, K., & Falk, H. (2003). An international perspective on hazardous waste practices.

International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 206 (4-5), 291- 302.