Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals

Many chemical and/or pharmaceutical compounds used in research or in the treatment of disease at the University of Florida are regulated by the EPA as Listed or Characteristic Hazardous Wastes when disposed.

  • Products and formulations of EPA Listed and Characteristic Chemicals are considered Hazardous Waste when disposed of.
  • Waste Materials generated by the use or delivery of Listed and Characteristic Chemicals are considered Hazardous Waste (gloves, aprons, towels, spill clean-up, etc.) when disposed of.
  • Packaging and/or empty containers associated with P-listed Chemicals must either be collected as hazardous waste or triple-rinsed before being considered empty. P-listed rinsates must be collected as hazardous waste.
  • Pharmaceuticals which contain even minute amounts of EPA Characteristic chemicals are considered Hazardous Waste.
  • The following lists are examples of some common Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals.

P-Listed Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals

  • P-listed Pharmaceuticals are considered acutely hazardous by the EPA.
  • Any unused portions of these materials or wastes generated by spill cleanup or contamination by the original product are considered hazardous waste.
  • Unused dilutions or formulations of the original product are also considered hazardous waste.
  • Packaging and/or empty containers associated with these items must either be collected as hazardous waste or triple-rinsed before being considered empty.
  • P-listed rinsates must be collected as hazardous waste.

P012

Arsenic Trioxide

P042

Epinephrine

P046

Phentermine

P075

Nicotine and Salts

P081

Nitroglycerin

P188

Physostigmine salicylate

P204

Physostygmine

U-Listed Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals

  • U-listed Pharmaceuticals are considered hazardous by the EPA
  • Any unused portions of these materials or wastes generated by spill cleanup or contamination by the original product are considered hazardous waste.
  • Unused dilutions or formulations of the original product are also considered hazardous waste.
  • Personal Protective Equipment PPE contaminated during use or preparation of Chemotherapy agents should be collected as hazardous waste.

U010

Mytomycin C

U035

Chlorambucil

U052

Cresol

U058

Cyclophosphamide

U059

Daunomycin

U055

Cumene

Characteristic Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals

  • Pharmaceutical chemicals or formulations may also contain components which are regulated as characteristic waste. The presence of these components is often not clearly identified in labeling.
  • EPA regulated chemicals and pharmaceutical compounds may be present only as a component (often a minor constituent) of the overall product makeup.
  • The EPA regulates Toxicity Characteristic chemicals at the parts per million (ppm) level.
  • Knowledge and understanding of the entirety of product make-up is critical for safety and proper waste determination.

Thimerosol, Merthiolate

Toxic (Mercury)

Barium Sulfate

Toxic (Barium)

Mercurochrome

Toxic (Mercury)

Silvadene

Toxic (Silver)

Insulin

Toxic (m-Cresol)

Styptic Pens

Toxic (Silver)

Selenium Sulfide

Toxic (Selenium)