[Sqg-program] RE: Solvent Wipers

Thu, 22 Jan 2004 15:31:57 -0500

Brevard County has been inspecting nail salons as well as Tanning.  If one tanning salon has just one bed, when it is time for them to re-lamp, they will have no fewer than 48 bulbs.  Some of the newer beds hold 50 to 60 bulbs.  Multiply that by 4 to 7 beds in one facility.  If it is a facility that has a large number of clients, then they are probably re-lamping every 600 hours of operation, 2 sometimes 3 times a year.  You would not think that Florida needs tanning beds, but they are out there and they need to be checked for proper management and disposal practices.  They are producing HW if they are not properly recycling the lamps.

On the note of the nail salons, Mr. Cronwell will inform the operators that it is their responsibility to containerize the waste acetone into properly labeled jugs.  He also gives them contact information for the HHW program, allowing the CESQG's to utilize the HHW's transporter for proper disposal of the waste at a reduced cost.  

Boy do they smile when you tell them it does not cost $50 a gallon, but more like $5 a gallon.

-----Original Message-----
From: Boatwright, Kelly [mailto:Boatwright@epchc.org]
Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2004 12:33 PM
To: iSMTP@GC2A@Servers; iSMTP@GC2A@Servers["Jerry Palmer
Subject: RE: [Sqg-program] RE: Solvent Wipers

Hillsborough County has been inspecting nail salons for quite awhile.
Acetone is their main solvent of choice, although we have seen MEK used
on occasion.  As far as the acetone solvent wipers go (ie: cotton balls
& Q-tips), we advise the shop to allow them to dry and then dispose with
their normal garbage.  DEP had a guidance memo out some years ago re:
acetone rags which stated that acetone is hazardous only for
ignitability and can, therefore, be disposed with the regular trash.
Some salons have liquid waste acetone (ie: they have a small bowl that
customers dip their nails in to remove the nail polish).  We advise
owners to containerize the liquid waste acetone and dispose through a
licensed hazardous waste transporter.  

We've only looked at tanning salons if they have been associated with a
nail salon.  The fluorescent lights are certainly a concern; we just
haven't looked yet at adding them to our assessment role.

Hope this helps.

-----Original Message-----
From: sqg-program-admin@lists.dep.state.fl.us
[mailto:sqg-program-admin@lists.dep.state.fl.us] On Behalf Of Perrigan,
Glen
Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2004 10:36 AM
To: Jerry Palmer
Cc: SQG Program Listserver
Subject: [Sqg-program] RE: Solvent Wipers

I was surprised a number of years ago when I first found out the types
of hazardous waste that could be generated at these facilities (some
including chlorinated solvents). I recall seeing a guide on this
industry (EPA or some other federal agency). I have not been able to
find a copy. They should be on your radar as a potential generator of
haz waste. Many counties do look at these facilities. There are about
600 in the database that have been identified. 

I am passing your email to the sqg program list serve in hopes that
other counties may have additional comments and suggestions. Thanks Glen

-----Original Message-----
From: Jerry Palmer [mailto:JPALMER@scgov.net] 
Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2004 11:34 AM
To: Perrigan, Glen
Cc: Jean Nutter; Larry Cardinal
Subject: Solvent Wipers

I know acetone wipers from nail salons have surfaced in past
discussions, and at least once at the State Conference, but I have never
heard of a decision or consensus on whether we should be addressing them
via inspections.  Probably because the subject got some chuckles when it
was raised.

However, nail salons are one of those businesses that seem to exist at
least one to a commercial block.  Our occupational license database
lists nearly 300 such salons, and many are installing tanning beds as
adjunct businesses.

I recently inspected a tanning salon for lamp management, found they did
nails and chatted with the owner about how much acetone they used.  He
had approximately 48 gallons in one gallon jugs on his supply shelf and
indicated it would last "a couple months".  Who knows how many pounds of
absorbents each one generates, but I suspect they would compete heavily
with any decent body shop.

I have also asked the Florida Department of Cosmetolgy for the number of
licensed practitioners in Sarasota County as well as state-wide to see
if I can extrapolate pounds (tons) of disposed wipers.  I'll keep you
posted on this if you're interested. 

Meanwhile..... Has the state taken a position on this waste?

Thanks,

Jerry