PIC-002-01: Unknown liquid waste / Intermediate bulk containers / Waste

A bankrupt economic operator had disappeared. In the factory and surrounding storage places a number of chemical waste containers were found abandoned, including liquids with spiritous odour. The customs were called to identify possible tax fraud. It was decided to take samples for laboratory analysis.

The waste was a homogenous liquid chemical with low viscosity which was stored in 13 cube containers each with a capacity of 1000 l and from 50 % to 80 % full. The composition of the liquid was unknown. No documents were available, product labels on the packages were not legible and it was not certain that they related to the content of the containers.

• Vacuum pump sampler (L01-01) with PTFE tubes
• Dark glass bottles, 1000 ml, leak-proof closure (G01)
• Plastic bottles, 1000 ml, leak-proof closure (P04)
• Metal containers 1000 ml, leak-proof closure (M01)

In this case the risks are created by the situation and the unknown material to be sampled. Working at heights, confined area and opening heavy plastic container may create the hazards. The hatch should be opened slowly as the content may be under pressure.

The particular hazard in this case is due to the fact that the liquid is unknown. Certain chemicals should not be sampled because of their highly dangerous properties; see the General principles – Sampling of dangerous goods. In this case the radioactivity was checked prior sampling and the spot was defined as clear. However, the unknown liquid may be:

• Flammable substance (e.g. some organic compounds).
• Oxidising substance (e.g. oxidising acids).
• Toxic substance (e.g. cyanides, mercury-containing compounds, nitrates)
• Corrosive and irritating substance (e.g. strong acids and alkalis).
• Or their combination.

Always check the hazard symbols if present and establish the nature of the risk posed. Beware of old symbols on re-used containers which may not reflect the current contents.

Wear appropriate personal protective equipment:

• Hand protection: made of material resistant to chemicals and gauntlets;
• Eye protection: safety goggles, masks or a face shield;
• Respiratory protection: with appropriate filter for small particles and vapours;
• Body protection: safety clothing, chemically resistant, flame-retardant and antistatic type.

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Comment

PIC-002-01-A01

Liquid waste in plastic IBCs (Intermediate bulk containers) or “cubitainers”.

PIC-002-01-A02

Attention: The labelling of the waste might not be reliable or not belonging to the content of the containers.

PIC-002-01-A03

Protect your body with adequate personal protecting equipment:

• Foot Protection
• Hand Protection
• Body protection
• Respiratory Protection
• Face/Eye Protection

PIC-002-01-A04

Preparing the sampling tool – vacuum pump sampler (L01-01)

• Avoid breathing of volatile components of the liquid.
• Have a good backup - be observed by your colleague.

PIC-002-01-A05

Start sampling

Store samples in sealed sample containers. Fill the containers to about 80 % and ensure no leakage. The samples are labelled and must be accompanied by safety instruction that the content is unknown liquid.

• Dark glass bottles, 1000 ml, leak-proof closure (G01).
• Plastic bottles, 1000 ml, leak-proof closure (P04).
• Metal containers 1000 ml, leak-proof closure (M01).