[Pharmwaste] Pills not burning in Terminator

[Gilliam, Allen]

Got my chops busted for even suggesting using the "Terminator" for incinerating pharmaceuticals at LE agencies.  Pharmaceuticals are not exempt as "contraband" in the air regs.  Something in the air regs with a bunch of EEEEs in the subpart says so.

Yrs ago, the rumor had it that the Terminator was acceptable w/o an air permit; half a dozen cities (or more) went out and bought one just to be told (by our air division) they couldn't use them for take-back pharmas.

They in-turn called the gubner asking that ADEQ pay for them and I got the blame for saying they were a legit disposal process. I did no such thing and avoided the dreaded pink slip, but still have scars from the carpet burns...

We probably still have several "Terminating" at night just so the black smoke won't be seen and the inspectors are at home.

Allen Gilliam
ADEQ State Pretreatment Coordinator
501.682.0625

From: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us [mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us] On Behalf Of Catherine Zimmer
Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2014 9:23 AM
To: 'Jaramillo, Jeanie'; pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
Subject: RE: [Pharmwaste] Pills not burning in Terminator

Hi Jeanie,

A couple of concerns with Drug Terminator, which looks little more than a souped up burn barrel on their website:

First, it may need appropriate permits from TCEQ.

And it appears the unit is not burning high enough to get appropriate destruction.  Because some capsules use PVC, inadequate incineration is likely forming dioxins, a very carcinogenic and toxic class of chemicals.

It is really best to send waste pharmaceuticals to a well managed incinerator, and probably a hazardous waste incinerator.  It doesn't sound like Drug Terminator is up to the task and emits lots of toxins.  That's not to say most even well managed incinerators don't emit toxins, they just emit less and do a better job controlling for dioxins.

Very truly yours,

Catherine Zimmer, MS, BSMT
Zimmer Environmental Improvement, LLC
St. Paul, MN
Ph:  651.645.7509
zenllc at usfamily.net<mailto:zenllc at usfamily.net>

From: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us<mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us> [mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us] On Behalf Of Jaramillo, Jeanie
Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2014 9:47 PM
To: pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us<mailto:pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us>
Subject: [Pharmwaste] Pills not burning in Terminator

Hello All,

Do any of you have suggestions for a group that has the Drug Terminator for med incineration, but is having trouble with "pills that are too hard to burn" with it?

Jeanie Jaramillo, PharmD
Managing Director, Texas Panhandle Poison Center
Asst. Professor, Texas Tech UHSC School of Pharmacy
1300 S. Coulter St., Suite 105
Amarillo, TX 79106
(office): (806)414-9299
(mobile): (806)376-0039

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