Technologies and methods for waste minimization in the analytical laboratory

Routine environmental and waste analytical methods are quite prescriptive and often do not include the principles of waste minimization and pollution prevention. A classic example is the procedure currently approved and in use for the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure published in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations. This procedure tests materials for the leachability of toxic components. The approved procedure requires that a 100-g sample of the unknown be leached with a solvent 20 times its weight. This procedure generates 2 L of liquid waste, which becomes hazardous waste if any one of 40 inorganic or organic contaminants exceeds the established regulatory level. Add to this level any secondary waste associated with instrument calibration and quality control for the analysis, and the waste stream has multiplied over 20-fold. Only a small percentage of the sample generated in the previous scenario is actually used for the analysis. This example is by no means unique.