Mixed wastes are defined as wastes that contain radioactive materials and hazardous chemical waste. These types of wastes require special handling and incur high disposal costs. Contact DRS before generating mixed waste containing long-lived isotopes (half-life >90 days).
Radioactive wastes that contain any of the following must be handled as a mixed waste:
Solvents (e.g., methanol, methylene chloride, acetone) Flammable chemicals Nitrates Sulfides Cyanides Aqueous solutions with pH < 2 or > 12.5* Arsenic Barium Cadmium Chromium Lead Mercury Selenium Silver Endrin Lindane Methoxychlor Toxaphene 2,4-D 2,4,5 TP (Silvex) Benzene *If pH is the only item on this list that makes the item a mixed waste, it can be neutralized and handled as Radioactive Waste. | Carbon Tetrachloride Chlordane Chlorobenzene Chloroform O-Cresol M-Cresol P-Cresol 1,4-Dichlorobenzene 1,1,-Dichloroethylene 2,4-Dinitrotoluene Heptachlor Hexachlorobenzene Hexachlorobutadiene Hexachloroethane Methyl Ethyl Ketone Nitrobenzene PCBs Pentachlorophenol Pyridine Tetrachloroethylene Trichloroethylene 2,4,5-Trichlorophenol 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol Vinyl Chloride |
If the waste contains I-125, P-32, or S-35 isotopes in addition to anything listed above, the waste should be retained by the generator until it is adequately decayed (at least 10 half-lives) so that it no longer qualifies as regulated radioactive waste. Then the waste is classified as chemical waste only and the generator may request a chemical waste pickup.
To submit waste containing C-14, H-3, or any other long-lived isotopes in addition to any of the chemicals listed above:
Liquid wastes containing volatile flammable, toxic, organic materials, or heavy cannot be disposed to a sink.
DRS personnel are responsible for the pickup and disposal of mixed wastes from campus laboratories.