s5 jorge emmanuel undp gef

8/4/2019 S5 Jorge Emmanuel UNDP GEF

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/s5-jorge-emmanuel-undp-gef 1/24

Guidelines for Interim On-Site Storage ofPhased-Out Mercury-Containing Devices

from Healthcare



Outline

Key Properties of Mercury Related to StorageElements of On-Site Storage Guidelines

Siting

DesignSignageContainers for different types of mercury wastePractices

Interim Central Storage Facility



Key Properties of Mercury

Density13.5 g per cm 3 at 25 0CVolume corresponding to 23.5 kg: 1.7 liters Hg

Surface tension485.5 dynes/cm in air formation of droplets

Mobility

Formation of alloysTin, copper, gold, silverMaterials resistant to Hg at room temperature

Iron, steel, plastics, rubbers, glass, ceramics



Mercury droplets ona carpet

Mercury vapors from the carpet seenunder ultraviolet light and

a fluorescent screen

Bowling Green State University: http://wbgustream.bgsu.edu/bgsu/epa/index-fl.html

Note: Mercury vaporization rate doubles every 10°C rise in temperature.



Key Properties of Mercury

Toxicity• Occupational exposure limit:

0.02 mg of Hg vapor per m 3 in air• Air saturated with mercury at 25°C is

1000 times higher than theexposure limit

http://www.freeclipartnow.com/science/medicine/symbols-ribbons/poison-sign.jpg.html



Elements of a Proposed Guidelines for

Interim Mercury Storage

Siting

DesignSignageSpecific guidelines for different types of mercurywasteProcedures



Siting

Secure restricted area (to prevent theft)Readily accessible to mercury waste handlersSeparate from regular or infectious wastestorage areas



Design

Enclosed area (roof and walls)Locked doorProper size (based on amount of waste to be stored plusspace for materials movement)

VentilationExhaust vent leads to the outsideaway from peopleExhaust vent is not near any air intake vents

Ventilation control that can block air circulation backinto the facilityExhaust fan capable of (600/Q) air changes per hourwhere Q is the room volume in cubic meters



Design

Seamless smooth flooring made of impervious material,for example:Polyurethane coated floorEpoxy-coated cementSeamless rubber

Bunding or spill containment tray on the floor below thewaste containers

Volume of the spill tray or inside the bund wall shouldbe at least 125% of the stored mercury volume

Storage areas should be kept cool and dry: < 25°C and< 40% humidity if metalcontainers are used



Design

Spill kit, PPE and wash area should be near (but not in)the storage area

Personal protective equipment (PPE):Several pairs of rubber or nitrile gloves

Respiratory protection (see next slide)Safety goggles or protective eyewearCoveralls, apron, and other protective clothingDisposable shoe covers



Design

Personal protective equipment (PPE):Respiratory protection:

Fit-tested full- or half-facepiece air-purifying respiratorwith mercury vapor cartridges, or

Face mask with sulfur or iodide impregnated activatedcarbon, or face mask made of sandwiched activatedcharcoal-impregnated cloth (Note that face masks thatdo not seal tightly around the face could allowcontaminated air to enter through the edges), or

Other specialty mask or respirator designed particularlyfor mercury, orIf no specialty masks are available : a face mask with a0.3 micron HEPA filter to capture amalgam particlesand mercury-laden dust (unfortunately, regular masks

will NOT protect against mercury vapor)



SIGNAGE AND LABELING

Entry and exit doors marked with warning signs: “Danger:Hazardous Mercury Waste” and the skull -and-crossbonessymbolContainers labelled “Hazardous Mercury Waste” plus adescription of the contents and the initial date of storage

Danger:

Hazardous Mercury Waste



CONTAINERS FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF

MERCURY WASTEGeneral approach

Primary container

Secondary containerLabelSpill containment tray

or bund directly under the containers



EXAMPLES

UNBROKENmercury devices BROKENmercury devicesNON-SHARPS

mercury waste (e.g.,contaminated rag)



EXAMPLES

Amalgam waste Elementalmercury wasteFluorescent lamps



PRACTICES

All personnel involved in collection, storage,transport, and supervision of mercury wasteshould receive special training on mercurywaste management including spill cleanup.

Material Safety Data Sheets and InternationalChemical Safety Cards on mercury should bediscussed with employees.The most senior staff involved in a cleanup isresponsible for ensuring replenishment of thecontents of the spill kits.



PRACTICES

The storage space should be inspectedevery month to check for leaks, corroded orbroken containers, improper methods of

storage, ventilation, the condition of the PPEand wash area, spill kit contents, andupdated records.Inventory records should be kept of the types

of mercury waste, descriptions, quantities instorage, and initial dates of storage.No smoking or eating in and around thestorage space.



Some Elements of Transport Guidelines

Packaging requirementsSpecial permit/license for transporter

Certified training, proof of liability insurance, submitted

emergency response plans, spill kits, PPE, etc.Registered vehicle

Passed inspectionClosed design, correct size for the intended load

Bulkhead between driver cabin and bodySystem to keep load secure during transportSpill kit, first-aid kit, fire extinguisherPlacard

Routing plan, contingency plan, emergency phone, etc.



Siting of an Interim Central Storage Facility

At least 150 meters away fromschools, hospitals, homes, foodprocessing, agricultural operations,rivers or lakes, fisheries

Secure area

Accessible to vehicles transportingmercury waste



Design of an Interim Central Storage Facility

Size should handle maximum anticipated volumeof mercury waste, plus shelving space, aisles, etc.Measures to withstand floods, earthquakes,

typhoons, and other natural disastersClosely controlled access with an intrusiondetection and alarm systemAir conditioning to control temperature andhumidityHeat, smoke and fire detection andalarm system, plus a fire suppression

system




At least four distinct and separate functional areas:Receiving area for receiving and presortingwaste, labeling, and documentation

Inspection area for checking for leaks,repackaging, etc.

mercury vapor detection andlocal exhaust ventilation

Storage area specific for mercury wasteAdministrative andrecord-keeping area

http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Topics/AtoZ/Ventilation/figure_5.htm




Storage areaWarning signs on all doorsContinuous or periodic monitoring of mercury levels

Spill control features including floor sealant andcontainment dikesShelving and storage racks not above shoulder heightLighting, aisle space, stacking, arrangements of

containers, and labeling designed to facilitate inspectionand future transport to terminal storage



Summary Points

Remember: surface tension, mobility,volatility, toxicity of mercuryRedundancy: primary container to preventleaks, secondary container in case theprimary container breaks, bund or trayUse proper PPE when handling mercurySeek practical solutions consistent with thebasic principles needed to protect health andenvironment



UNDP GEF Guidance Document

GUIDANCE ON THE CLEANUP, TEMPORARYOR INTERMEDIATE STORAGE, ANDTRANSPORT OF MERCURY WASTE FROMHEALTHCARE FACILITIES

(latest revision: July 21, 2010)

Available from: www.gefmedwaste.org

s5 jorge emmanuel undp gef

Documents