[Pharmwaste] What to restrict from drop-boxes?

[Catherine]

Hi Ed,

Good questions.  

Re: aerosols/inhalers, these become problematic with transportation rules,
e.g. hazmat or when transporting via air where they can be prohibited.  

I think liquids are an issue because they may spill and then react with
something else in the container.  Risk may be minimized if liquids are
sealed in an outer zip-loc bag.  I don't know if there are documented
problems, but certainly these are risks we want to avoid.  

Better to call "infectious" rather than "bio-hazard" waste-better explains
risk.  

Hope this helps. 

Very truly yours,

 

Catherine Zimmer, MS, BSMT

Zimmer Environmental Improvement, LLC

St. Paul, MN 

Ph:  651.645.7509

zenllc at usfamily.net

 

From: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us
[mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us] On Behalf Of Ed Gottlieb
Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2014 2:36 AM
To: pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
Subject: [Pharmwaste] What to restrict from drop-boxes?

 

Hi pharmwaste listserv,

 

All drop-box programs list items that are accepted and items that aren't.  

 

Sharps, bio-hazardous waste, chemotherapy medications, and thermometers are
almost always listed as not accepted.  Some programs specifically restrict
less (or more!) obvious items such as:  trash, mail, and guns.

I think we can all agree there are good reasons for not accepting any of
these items.  

 

What about liquids, ointments, inhalers, and aerosol cans?  I regularly see
these on "not accepted" lists.  

 

Most boxes have internal, removable totes that should be lined with a
plastic bag.  Liquid spills should not be a problem from the clean-up
perspective.  I've not seen any evidence that spilled liquids can cause
dangerous chemical reactions to occur, an explanation I was given for one
programs ban.  Are there documented problems caused by a spill of hydrogen
peroxide, alcohol, or any other liquid medication?  Can explosive conditions
develop?  Will active ingredients volatilize and contaminate the air if
spilled alcohol dissolves medication it comes in contact with?  

 

Do inhalers and other aerosol cans actually cause problems in a drop-box or
at the incinerator?  

 

I believe that most programs copy their "not accepted" list from an existing
program.  Maybe some of these restricted items could be safely accepted?
Or, is it wiser to keep restricting them to avoid a possible hazard, however
unlikely?

  

With luck, pharmacies will soon be launching their own programs, greatly
expanding the accessability of take-back programs.  Can we offer them
guidance on this issue?  Your thoughts are appreciated.

 

Ed

 

Ed Gottlieb
Chair, Coalition for Safe Medication Disposal 
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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