Construction
Industry Overview
If your operation is involved in the construction industry you
might be subject to Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
(RCRA) regulations covering the generation, transportation, and
management of hazardous waste. Not all construction industry
operations produce hazardous waste, but if you use materials such
as strong acid or alkaline solutions, paints, solvents, or
petroleum products, the waste generated during their use might be
hazardous.
You are included in the construction industry if you provide
services in the following areas:
Heavy construction
Plumbing, heating, and air conditioning
Painting, paper hanging, and decorating
Mobile home construction
Prefabricated wood buildings and components
Masonry, stonework, tile work, and plastering
Carpentering and floorwork
Concrete work
Roofing and sheet metal work
Glass and glazing work
Wrecking and demolition.
Hazardous Wastes From Construction
Hazardous wastes that might be generated during construction
fall into several major categories:
Ignitable paint wastes generated by painting and
other associated processes, including paint preparation
and brush and spray gun cleaning
Other ignitable wastes containing paint and
varnish removers, paint brush cleaners, and epoxy
resins and adhesives used during processes such as
painting, cleaning, and degreasing
Spent solvents from many processes, including
painting, cleaning, degreasing, air conditioner
maintenance, and fluxing
Wastes containing toxic chemicals. Many
products such as adhesives, paints, coatings, polishes,
varnishes, thinners, and treated woods contain toxic
chemicals. Wastes generated during the use of such
products are hazardous wastes if they contain certain
levels of toxic chemicals.
Strong acid/alkaline wastes used in cleaning,
degreasing, and plumbing operations.
Some businesses generate spent heat transfer boxes that con-
tain PCBs. PCBs are not regulated under RCRA; they are, how-
ever, regulated under the Toxic Control Substances Act (TSCA).
If you have spent heat transfer boxes, contact your state hazardous
waste management agency to determine your responsibilities.
In addition to these wastes, your operations might generate
used oil. There are special provisions in the regulations for used
oil. Currently most used oil is exempt from EPA hazardous waste
regulations if it is recycled. If you recycle your oil, you are not
required to use a Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest, and you do
not need to include used oil when determining your monthly haz-
ardous waste generation rate. If, however, you are disposing of
used oil yourself or are sending it offsite for disposal, you gener-
ally should handle it as hazardous waste because it is likely to be
ignitable or toxic. Special requirements apply if you are burning
used oil as fuel. EPA is currently developing new regulations for
used oil. Some states regulate used oil differently than does EPA;
contact your state hazardous waste agency for more information.
Table 1 lists typical processes/operations that use products that
might contain hazardous materials and that probably generate haz-
ardous waste. If you produce 100 kilograms (220 pounds or about
half of a 55-gallon drum) or more of hazardous waste per month,
you must fill out a Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest when you
ship hazardous waste off your property. The Manifest requires the
proper Department of Transportation (DOT) description for each
waste. Table 2 lists the proper DOT shipping description for a
number of wastes that might be generated during equipment repair
operations. Table 1 and Table 2 are not comprehensive lists. If
you suspect that any waste you generate is hazardous, check with
your state hazardous waste agency or EPA Regional office for
more information.
Waste Minimization
An effective waste minimization program can reduce the costs,
liabilities, and regulatory burdens of hazardous waste manage-
ment, 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-90-027J
Printed on recycled paper
-------
Table 1
Typical Construction Operations: Materials Used and
Hazardous Wastes that Might be Generated
Waste Type
SPENT SOLVENTS AND
Ethylcne Dlchloridc*
Benzene*
Eihyl Benzene
Chlorobenzene*
Meihyl Ethyl Ketone*
Methyl Isobutyl Ketone
Chloroform*
Carbon Tefiachloridc*
Hexaehloroethane*
Mcthylcnc Chloride
Trtehloroirifluoroethane
Process/ Materials Used General Types of
Operation Waste Generated
Paint Preparation Paint thinners, enamel Ignitable wastes
and Painting reducers, paints, enamels, Toxic wastes
lacquers, epoxies, Spent solvents
acrylics, primers, Paint wastes
solvents
Carpentering and Adhesives, solvents, Spent solvents
Floorwork polishes and varnishes, Toxic wastes
treated wood
Other Specialty Adhesives, paints, Ignitable wastes
Contracting coatings, polishes, Toxic wastes
Activities varnishes, solvents, Spent solvents
petroleum products
Heavy Motor oil and other Used oil
Construction petroleum products, Asphalt wastes
asphalt
Wrecking and Wreckage and debris that
Demolition may contain ignitable
or toxic substances
Used oil
Vehicle and Degreasers and cleaners, Spent solvents
Equipment motor oil and other Acid/alkaline wastes
Maintenance for petroleum products, Ignitable wastes
Construction solvents, rust removers Toxic wastes
Activities Used oil
Table 2
Construction Waste Descriptions1
Designations/Trade Names DOT Shipping Name
IGNITABLE OR TOXIC WASTES CONTAINING:
Ethylene Bichloride, 1,2- Waste Ethylene Dichloride
Dichloroethane
Benzene Waste Benzene (benzol)
Ethyl Benzene Waste Ethyl Benzene
Chlorobenzene, Monochlorobenzene, Waste Chlorobenzene
Phenylchloride
Methyl Ethyl Ketone, MEK, Methyl Waste Methyl Ethyl Ketone
Acetone, Meetco, Butanone, Ethyl
Methyl Ketone
Shell MIBK Waste Flammable Liquid NOS
Chloroform Waste Chloroform
Perchloromethane, Tetraform, Waste Carbon Tetrachloride
Carbona, Halon 104
Hexachloroethane Waste Hexachloroethane
Aerothene MM, Narkotil Waste Dichloromethane or Methylene Chloride
Fluorocarbon 113, Freon 113, Ucon Hazardous Waste, Liquid, NOS
Hazard Class
Flammable Liquid2
Flammable Liquid
Flammable Liquid
Flammable Liquid
Flammable Liquid
Flammable Liquid
OEM-A
ORM-A
ORM-A
ORM-A
ORM-E
UN/NA
ID Number
UN1184
UNI 114
UNI 175
UNI 134
UNI 193
UN1993
UN1888
UN 1846
NA9037
UN1593
NA9189
Toluene
Xylcnc
113, Freon TF. Frigen 113 113TR-T,
Areton 63
Toluol, Methercid, Methyl Benzene,
Methylbenzol, Phenylmethane,
Antisol IA
Xylene, Xylol
Waste Toluene (toluol)
Waste Xylene (xylol)
Flammable Liquid
Flammable Liquid
UN 1294
UNI 307
-------
I 3D86 Z (continued)
Construction Waste Descriptions1
Waste Type
Kerosene
Cresols*
Trichloroethylene*
Mineral Spirits
Acetone
Designations/Trade Names DOT Shipping Name Hazard Class
Kerosene, Fuel Oil #1
o-Cresol, m-Cresol, p-Cresol, (m,p)-
Cresol, (o,m,p)-Cresol
TCE, Gemalgene, Lanadin, Lethurin,
Nialk, Perm-a-Chlor
White Spirits, Naphtha
Acetone
Waste Kerosene
Waste Cresol
Waste Trichloroethylene
Waste Naphtha
Waste Acetone
Combustible Liquid3
Corrosive Material
OSM.-A
Flammable Liquid
Flammable Liquid
UN/NA
ID Number
UN1223
UN2076
UN1710
UN2553
UN1090 -
STRONG ACID/ALKALINE WASTES
Ammonium Hydroxide
Hydrobromic Acid
Hydrochloric Acid
Hydrofluoric Acid
Nitric Acid
Phosphoric Acid
Potassium Hydroxide
Sodium Hydroxide
Sulfuric Acid
OTHER WASTES
Ignitable Wastes, NOS
Used Oil
Asphalt
Hazardous Waste, NOS
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
Sulfuric Acid, H2S04, Oil of Vitriol
Ignitable Wastes, NOS4
Various petroleum products
Asphalt
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
Waste Sulfuric Acid, Spent
Waste Flammable Liquid, NOS
Waste Combustible Liquid, NOS
Waste Flammable Solid, NOS
Waste Petroleum Oil, NOS
Waste Petroleum Oil, NOS
Waste Asphalt, at or above its flashpoint
Waste Asphalt, cut back
Hazardous Waste, NOS
Corrosive Material
ORM-A
Corrosive Material
Corrosive Material
Corrosive Material
Oxidizer
Corrosive Material
Corrosive Material
Corrosive Material
Corrosive Material
Corrosive Material
Corrosive Material
Corrosive Material
Flammable Liquid
Combustible Liquid
Flammable Solid
Combustible Liquid
Flammable Liquid
ORM-C
Flammable Liquid
Combustible Liquid
ORM-E
NA2672
NA2672
UN1788
NA1789
UN1790
UN2031
NA1760
UNI 805
UN1814
UN1813
UN1824
UN1823'
UN1832
UN1993
NA1993
UN1325
NA1270
NA1270
NA1999
NA1999
NA1999
UN9189
* Toxicity 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 or conditions. Note that the DOT shipping'name, hazard class, and UN/NA ID number
do not directly correspond to RCRA hazardous waste categories.
2 A flammable liquid, has a flash point below 100°F.
3 A combustible liquid has a flash point between 100°F and 200°F.
4 NOS - Not otherwise specified.
-------
For further information call the RCRA/Superfund Hotline 1-800-424-9346
------- |