Aqueous Liquid Waste

Aqueous Liquid Waste denotes any waste of which the primary solution is water and any soluble organic and inorganic constituents, all present in quantities and forms that do not result in phase separation or precipitation.

Care must be taken to make sure that the quantities of organic or inorganic components added to the water do not make the mixture a mixed waste. Even small amounts of substances, when combined with nonhazardous materials, may result in a mixed waste. A solution containing as little as 6% methanol in water is a mixed waste.

Consult with the Radiation Safety Office before adding any organic material to aqueous waste. Aqueous liquid waste will normally consist of aqueous phase extractions from experiments and the first rinsing of radioactive material containers.

Important Items

• Do not put pipettes, pipette tips, vials, sharps, or filters into liquid waste containers.
• Do not overfill the container.
• The pH of aqueous wastes shall be adjusted as close to neutral as possible, a pH shall be within the range of 5 to 9.
• No mixing with liquid scintillation fluids.
• Waste must contain less than 0.1% by weight chelating agents.
• All waste containers must have an indication of radionuclide, activity and percentage of nonaqueous material.