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) |