Uranyl acetate is a RCRA waste

[Ken Smith <ksmith@cats.ucsc.edu>]

Radsafers - 

>From: Steve Deitch <StephenD@compuserve.com>
>...
>
>So after this long winded remark, Uranyl acetate is hazardous because of
>it's radioactive nature, and must be disposed of in accordance with the rad
>regs, but it is not "hazardous waste" under the chemical waste regs (RCRA).
>

I disagree.

RCRA identifies wastes as "RCRA hazardous waste" from both lists of waste
(specific and non-specific sources) AND CHARACTERTISTICS of waste. Although
uranyl acetate may or may not be 'listed' by RCRA (I didn't look it up),
uranyl acetate meets the definition TOXICITY by possessing an acute LD50
less than 5,000 milligrams per kilogram. (see below)

>From: DAVID HARRISON <DHARRISON@doe.lanl.gov>
>...
>Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial
>Materials:
>
>Poison by ingestion and subcutaneous
>routes.  Very soluble.  An experimental
>teratogen.  When heated to decomposition
>it emits toxic fumes of uranium.
>
>orl-rat LD50: 204 mg/kg
>scu-rat LD50: 8300 microgram/kg
>orl-mus LD50: 242 mg/kg
>scu-mus LD50: 20400 microgram/kg
>orl-rat TDLo: 50 mg/kg

There for I would conclude that uranyl acetate is a "RCRA Hazardous Waste".
And is subject to RCRA regulation. I would strongly advise AGAINST sewer
disposal of this material.

I welcome any comments and clarifications.

Ken



Ken Smith
Acting Radiation Safety Officer
University of California, Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA  95064                   
Voice: (408) 459-3911
Fax: (408) 459-3209
e-mail: ksmith@cats.ucsc.edu