[Pharmwaste] What hit us?

[Ed Gottlieb]

Hi All,
 
I'm happy that I accidentally posted to this group yesterday.  The
email was meant for the Pretreatment Coordinators Listserv.
I received a couple of very helpful replies!
 
Here is the latest:
 
Suggestions of possible causes received:
Chris B. (CU) says he saw a degreaser cause these symptoms once
before.
Wrote to Pretreatment Coordinators Listserv, presenting symptoms and
asking for ideas  Response:
Fire suppression foam
Frac water dump, and
“I don’t think the foam is a particularly important clue, it is most
likely the result of cell lysis and the release of polysaccharides and
proteins from the protoplasm.  You are correct that it was a toxic slug
load. .
 
Since there is no sign of foam in the collection system, I think the
last theory is correct.
 
IFD haz mat response team uses two devices to test a primary effluent
sample taken at 9:10 AM.  One tests for dissolved contaminants in the
liquid using light and the other detects gases.  Sample needed to be
centrifuged (3 minutes on high) for devices to work properly.
 
Detected:  isopropyl alcohol, gluconic acid, chloroacetaldehyde
 
A Google search for these chemicals yielded the following possibility.
IFD Chief Parsons sends the same link, found by a member of his haz mat
team:
 
http://www.mankatofreepress.com/local/x857096186/Carpet-cleaner-accused-of-dumping-dirty-chemicals
 
There are an overwhelming number of commercial carpet cleaners.  Too
many to get MSDS's to find a match.  I tried to reach Rick Baird, who
was sited in the story.  He wasn't in so I spoke with the chief
wastewater operator.  He will try to find someone who knows the name of
the carpet cleaner that was dumped there in 2011.
 
Sure sounds like Ed took a hit from Quaternary Ammonia doesn’t it?
Would have been interesting to have run a chlorine residual while the
problem was going on.

Our chlorine residual dropped to 0.1 from 0.5 before contact time.  It
is back to normal now.
 
Ed
 
 
Ed Gottlieb
Industrial Pretreatment Coordinator
Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility
525 3rd Street
Ithaca, NY  14850
(607) 273-8381
fax: (607) 273-8433
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