Chemical Manufacturers
Industry Overview
Chemical manufacturers produce a large variety of hazardous
wastes that might be subject to Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act (RCRA) requirements covering the generation,
transportation, and management of hazardous waste.
Your business is included in the chemical manufacturers
category if you manufacture:
• Industrial inorganic chemicals
• Industrial organic chemicals
• Pigments
• Plastics
• Pesticides
• Synthetic rubber
• Explosives
• Synthetic fibers
• Gum and wood chemicals.
Hazardous Wastes from
Chemical Manufacturing
The many different processes used in the chemical
manufacturing industry result in a large number of specific
wastes. Typical wastes from chemical manufacturing plants
include spent solvents, distillation bottoms and side-cuts, off-
specification or unused chemicals, wastewater, wastewater
treatment sludge, emission control sludges, filter cake, spent
catalysts, byproducts, reactor cleanout wastes, and container
residues. Many wastes from chemical manufacturing (e.g., spent
solvents and off-specification chemicals) are listed wastes.
Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) toxic
constituents have been detected in many other chemical
manufacturing wastes.
Table 1 provides a general description of chemical
manufacturing waste types. If you generate more than 100
kilograms (220 pounds or about half of a 55-gallon drum) of
hazardous waste per month, you must complete a Uniform
Hazardous Waste Manifest when you ship your waste. The
Manifest requires the DOT (Department of Transportation)
description of the waste, including shipping name, hazard class,
and UN/NA ID number. This information can be found in Table 2
for a number of wastes that chemical manufacturers might
generate. Table 1 and Table 2 are not comprehensive lists. If you
suspect that you generate a hazardous waste that is not on this
list, contact your state hazardous waste management agency or '
EPA Regional office for assistance.
Waste Minimization
An effective waste minimization program can reduce the costs,
liabilities, and regulatory burdens of hazardous waste man-
agement, while potentially enhancing efficiency, product quality,
and community relations. Waste minimization techniques that can
help you reduce the amount of hazardous waste that you generate
include:
• Production planning and sequencing
• Process/equipment adjustment or modification
• Raw material substitution
• Loss prevention and housekeeping
• Waste segregation and separation
• Recycling.
Training and supervision of employees implementing waste
minimization techniques is an important part of your successful
program. Call the RCRA/Superfund Hotline toll-free at 800-424-
9346 (or TDD 800-553-7672 for the hearing-impaired) for waste
minimization information and publications.
EPA/530-SW-90-027h
Printed on recycled paper
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Table 1
Typical Chemical Manufacturing Operations:
Materials Used and Hazardous Wastes that Might be
Generated
Process/
Operation
Materials Used
General Types of
Waste Generated
Pigment
Manufacturing
Pesticide
Manufacturing
Synthetic Fiber
Manufacturing:
Ccllulosic Fibers
Synthetic Fiber
Manufacturing:
Non-ccIIuloslc
(acrylic- nylon,
polyester)
Acids/alkalies, heavy
mclah (catalysts and
salts), solvents,
petroleum distillates
Pesticides, carriers,
dispensing agents,
solvents
Cellulose acetate/rayon
pigments, solvents,
bleaches, lubricants,
dyeing assistants,
stabilizers, delustrants,
brightcncrs
Pigments, solvents,
bleaches, lubricants,
dyeing assistants,
stabilizers, delustrants,
brighteners, polymeric
materials
Acid/alkaline wastes
Heavy metal wastes
(dust and sludge)
Heavy metal wastes
(solutions )
Solvent wastes
Toxic organic liquids
Toxic wastewaters and
sludges
Pesticide wastes
Ignitable wastes
Solvent wastes
Toxic wastes
Toxic heavy metal wastes
Toxic wastewaters and
sludges
Other toxic wastes
Solvent wastes
Reactive wastes
Still bottoms
Solvent wastes
Reactive wastes
Toxic heavy metal wastes
Toxic wastewaters and
sludges
Other toxic wastes
Table 1 (continued)
Typical Chemical Manufacturing Operations:
Materials Used and Hazardous Wastes that Might be
Generated
Process/
Operation
Rubber
Manufacturing
Other Chemical
Manufacturing
Materials Used
General Types of
Waste Generated
Monomers, solvents,
paints, catalysts
Solvents, chemicals,
catalysts, acids/alkalies,
heavy metals
Toxic heavy metal wastes
Toxic or ignitable paint
wastes
Toxic wastewaters and
sludges
Other toxic wastes
Oily wastes
Solvent wastes
Waste rubber solids
Acid/alkaline wastes
Toxic heavy metal wastes
(dust and sludge)
Other toxic wastes
Ignitable wastes
Reactive wastes (other)
Solvent wastes
Spent catalysts
Emission control dusts
and sludges
Table 2
Chemical Manufacturing Waste Descriptions1
Waste Type
Designations/Trade Names
DOT Shipping Name
Hazard Class
UN/NA
ID Number
SPENT SOLVENTS, SOLVENT STILL BOTTOMS , AND IGNITABLE OR TOXIC WASTES CONTAINING:
White Spirits
Kerosene
Benzene*
Ethyl Benzene
Toluene
Toluene Diisocyanate
Xylcnc
Ethanol
Isopropanol
Acetone
Methyl Ethyl Kctonc*
Tcirahydrofuran
Meihylene Chloride
White Spirits, Mineral Spirits,
Naphtha
Kerosene, Fuel Oil #1
Benzene
Ethyl Benzene
Toluene, Methacide, Methylbenzene,
Methylbenzol, Phenylmetnane,
Toluol, Antisal 1A
Toluene Diisocyanate
Xylene, Xylol
Ethanol, Ethyl Alcohol
Isopropanol, Isopropyl Alcohol
Acetone
Methyl Ethyl Ketone
Tetrahydrofuran, THF
Waste Naphtha
Waste Naphtha
Waste Naphtha, Solvent
Waste Naphtha, Solvent
Waste Kerosene
Waste Benzene (Benzol)
Waste Ethyl Benzene
Waste Toluene (Toluol)
Waste Toluene Diisocyanate
Waste Xylene
Waste Ethyl Alcohol
Waste Isopropanol
Waste Acetone
Waste Methyl Ethyl Ketone
Waste Tetrahydrofuran
Combustible Liquid3
Flammable Liquid4
Combustible Liquid
Flammable Liquid
Combustible Liquid
Flammable Liquid
Flammable Liquid
Flammable.Liquid
UN2553
UN2553
UN1256
UN1256
UN 1223
UNI 114
UNI 175
UN 1294
Dichloromethane, Methane Dichloride, Waste Dichloromethane or Methylene Chloride
Methylene Bichloride, NCI-C50102,
Solaesthin, Aerothene, Narkotil,
Solmethine
Poison B
Flammable Liquid
Flammable Liquid
Flammable Liquid
Flammable Liquid
Flammable Liquid
Flammable Liquid
ORM-A
UN2078
UN 1307
UNI 170
UN1219
UN 1090
UNI 193
UN2056
UN1593
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E 3D 16 £. (continued)
Chemical IVIanufacturing Waste Descriptions1
Waste Type
1,1,1-Trichloroethane
Trichloroethylene*
Chlorobenzene*
Chloroform*
Carbon Tetrachloride*
Ethylene Dichloride*
Hexachloroe thane*
Tetrachloroethylene
Phenol
Cresols
OTHER IGNITABLE
Ignitable Wastes
Designations/Trade Names
1,1,1-Trichloroethane, Aerothene TT,
Chlorten, Inhibisol, Trichloroethane,
Chlorothene NU, NCI-C04626,
Methylchloroform, Chlorothene VG,
Chlorothane NU, Chlorotene
Perm-A-Chlor, Trielin, Triline, Triol,
Vestrol, Chlorylene, Dow-Tri, Vitran,
TCE, Nialk, Philex
Chlorobenzene, Monochlorobenzene,
Phenylchloride
Chloroform
Perchloromethane Tetraform, Carbona
Halon 104
Ethylene Dichloride, 1,2-
Dichloroethane
Hexachloroethane
TCE, Gemalgene, Lanadin, Lethurin,
Nialk, Perm-a-Chlor
Phenol
o-Cresol, m-Cresol, p-Cresol, (m,p)-
Cresol, (o,m,p)-Cresol
WASTES
Ignitable Wastes
DOT Shipping Name
Waste 1,1,1-Trichloroethane
Waste Trichloroethylene
Waste Chlorobenzene
Waste Chloroform
Waste Carbon Tetrachloride
Waste Ethylene Dichloride
Waste Hexachloroethane
Waste Trichloroethylene
Waste Phenol
Waste Cresol
Waste Flammable Liquid, NOS5
Waste Combustible Liquid, NOS
Waste Flammable Solid, NOS
Hazard Class
ORM-A
ORM-A
Flammable Liquid
ORM-A
ORM-A
Flammable Liquid
ORM-A
ORM-A
Poison B
Corrosive Material
Flammable Liquid
Combustible Liquid
Flammable Solid
UN/NA
ID Number
UN2831
UN1710
UN1134
UN1888
UN 1846
UNI 184
NA9037
UN1710
UN1671
UN2076
UN1993
NA1993
UN1325
OTHER TOXIC WASTES
Hazardous Waste
Hazardous Waste, Liquid or Solid, NOS
ORM-E
UN9189
STRONG ACID/ALKALINE WASTES
Ammonium Hydroxide
Hydrobromic Acid
Hydrochloric Acid
Hydrofluoric Acid
Nitric Acid
Phosphoric Acid
Potassium Hydroxide
Sodium Hydroxide
Ammonium Hydroxide, NH4OH, Spirit
of Hartshorn, Aqua Ammonia
Hydrobromic Acid, HBr
Hydrochloric Acid, HC1, Muriatic Acid
Hydrofluoric Acid, HF, Fluorohydric
Acid
Nitric Acid, HN02, Aquafortis
Phosphoric Acid, H3P04,
Orthophosphoric Acid
Potassium Hydroxide, KOH, Potassium
Hydrate, Caustic Potash, Potassa
Sodium Hydroxide NaOH, Caustic Soda,
Soda Lye, Sodium Hydrate
Waste Ammonium Hydroxide (containing not
less than 12% but not more than 44% ammonia)
(containing less, than 12% ammonia)
Waste Hydrobromic Acid
Waste Hydrochloric Acid
Waste Hydrofluoric Acid
Waste Nitric Acid (over 40%)
(40% or less)
Waste Phosphoric Acid
Waste Potassium Hydroxide Solution
Dry Solid, Flake, Bead, or Granular
Waste Sodium Hydroxide Solution
Dry Solid, Flake, Bead, or Granular
Corrosive Material
ORM-A
Corrosive Material
Corrosive Material
Corrosive Material
Oxidizer
Corrosive Material
Corrosive Material
Corrosive Material
Corrosive Material
Corrosive Material
Corrosive Material
NA2672
NA2672
UN1788
NA1789
UN1790
UN2031
NA1760
UN1805
UN1814
UN1813
UN1824
UN1823
Sulfuric Acid
Chromic Acid
Sulfuric Acid, H2SO4, Oil of Vitriol
Chromic Acid
Waste Sulfuric Acid
Waste Chromic Acid Solution
Corrosive
Corrosive
Material
Material
UN1832
UN1755
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T3Ul6 2 (continued)
Chemical Manufacturing Waste Descriptions1
Waste Type
Designations/Trade Names
DOT Shipping Name
Hazard Class
UN/NA
ID Number
OTHER REACTIVE WASTES
llypochloriic
Organic Peroxides
Hypochlorite, Sodium Hypochlorite
(or other salts), Hypochlorous Acid,
Clorox
Organic Peroxide
Sodium Pcrchlorates Sodium Perchlorate
Potassium Permanganate Potassium Permanganate
Sodium Permanganate
Potassium Sulfidc
Sodium Sulfidc
Sodium Permanganate
Potassium Sulfide
Sodium Sulfide, Sodium Sulfuret
EMISSION CONTROL DUSTS AND SLUDGES
Fltic Dusts from degassing
agents used in glass
production
SPENT CATALYSTS
Waste heavy metal
catalysis from plastic
materials, synthetic
spinning and
polymerization
Heavy metal dust containing Arsenic,
Barium, Cadmium, Chromium,
Mercury, Lead, Silver, and/or Selenium
Heavy metal sludges with organics
containing Antimony, Cadmium,
Cobalt, Manganese, and/or Zinc
Waste Hypochlorite solution (containing not ORM-B
more than 7% available chlorine by weight)
Waste Hypochlorite solution (containing more
than 7% available chlorine by weight)
Waste Organic Peroxide, Liquid or Solution,
NOS
Waste Sodium Perchlorate
Waste Potassium Permanganate
Waste Sodium Permanganate
Waste Potassium Sulfide
Waste Sodium Sulfide, Anhydrous
Hazardous Waste, Solid, NOS ORM-E
Hazardous Waste (Liquid or Solid), NOS ORM-E
UN1791
Corrosive Material
Organic Peroxide
Oxidizer
Oxidizer
Oxidizer
Flammable Solid
Flammable Solid
NA1791
NA9183
UN 1502
UN1490
UN1503
UN1382
UN1385
NA9189
NA9189
* Toxlcity Characteristic constituent. Any waste that results in a TCLP extract containing a Toxicity Characteristic constituent equal to or above regulatory
levels is hazardous.
1 These descriptions may change given variations in waste characteristics and conditions. Note that the DOT shipping name, hazard class and UN/NA ID
number do not directly correspond to RCRA hazardous waste categories.
2 Still bottoms may not be hazardous if the concentrations of the hazardous materials in the still bottom are sufficiently low.
3 Formulations with a flash point less than 200°F and greater than or equal to 100°F.
4 Formulations with a flash point less than 100°F.
5 NOS — Not otherwise specified.
For further information call the RCRA/Supeirfund Hotline 1-800-424-9346
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