Why is this important?
If a program generates more than one kilogram of acute hazardous waste in a calendar month, the program becomes subject to large quantity generator (LQG) rules, which are more stringent and require additional reports to regulators. Technically, only the acute waste that caused the monthly limit to be exceeded is subject to LQG rules, but the additional aggravation is there, nonetheless.
Feeling confident?
What is Acute Hazardous Waste?
- An unused material whose name appears on the P list (for the full definition see 40 CFR 261.33) Also includes F020–F023, F026, F027, but these are rare in colleges and universities)
- An unused mixture of a single P list ingredient with a carrier solvent, preservative or other “inactive” ingredient
- A mixture that results from partial decomposition of either of the preceding items
- An acute hazardous waste that is diluted or mixed with other materials for laboratory analysis
- An acute hazardous waste that is mixed with other materials or diluted for the purpose of disposal. all of the material becomes acute hazardous waste no matter how large the volume after mixture or dilution
- The rinsate from triple rinsing an acute hazardous waste container after its contents have been poured out
- The residue from cleaning up a spill of acute hazardous waste.
(Note: If you know how much acute hazardous waste was spilled, only that amount counts against your generator status; but if you accumulate more than 100 kg of acute spill cleanup residue, that will also trigger large generator status.)
What is not acute hazardous waste?
A material not listed above, in particular:
- A material that has been used for a legitimate purpose.
- A mixture created for a legitimate use that has two or more active
ingredients, whether it has been used or not.
(Note: Preservatives and carrier solvents are not “active ingredients” for this purpose.) - Note: Only the actual weight of acute hazardous waste counts for determining generator status. You do not need to count the weight of containers for this purpose.
Questions? Test yourself on real-life examples with this quiz.
