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Waste disposal in South Australian Schools

Posted: 10 Sep 2019, 12:16
by DebBecMaj
Hi
I just started working in a school in Adelaide. I've found a whole box full of very old Hanna water testing chemicals. Does anyone know where I can find out how to dispose of them?
I've looked up the SDS on some of the products on the Hanna website but its not very helpful. Does SA have something like CSIS? (not as old as the NSW one). Any ideas?
Thanks
Debbie

Re: Waste disposal in South Australian Schools

Posted: 12 Sep 2019, 08:19
by Marama T
What are the chemicals, Debbie? Or are the ingredients not listed?

Re: Waste disposal in South Australian Schools

Posted: 12 Sep 2019, 08:23
by Marama T
Hang on, I've got a Hanna kit here. Are they manganese sulfate monohydrate, sulfuric acid, sodium azide, and sodium hydroxide?

Re: Waste disposal in South Australian Schools

Posted: 12 Sep 2019, 10:35
by DebBecMaj
I ended up ringing Hanna instruments and asked some one there. There are lots of different kits and chemicals.
The contact at Hanna is working on it
Thanks
Debbie

Re: Waste disposal in South Australian Schools

Posted: 12 Sep 2019, 12:13
by Marama T
Good luck! I'm so glad you asked this question. My Hanna kits contain some of the sodium azide too, which is banned in DET schools. Extremely toxic if ingested or absorbed by the skin, needs to be carefully stored until collected for disposal. Crikey!

Re: Waste disposal in South Australian Schools

Posted: 13 Sep 2019, 08:36
by DebBecMaj
Was sodium azide listed in CSIS. It may be an old document but at least is something.
I don't know if we have the equivalent in SA.

Re: Waste disposal in South Australian Schools

Posted: 13 Sep 2019, 10:24
by Labbie
Extremely toxic if ingested or by skin absorption; insoluble metal salts, (e.g. lead) are violently explosive.
BANNED CHEMICAL IN DET SCHOOLS.

Store in glass or plastic container with non-metal lid. Reacts with acids to form extremely toxic and volatile hydrazoic acid.

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See Appendix H for storage details prior to disposal.