Demystify: 

We treat nano spills similar to asbestos or other fine-particulate carcinogenic spills, i.e. keep it wet, use HEPA vacuum. We dispose of nano debris as hazardous waste, more for the CERCLA considerations than for RCRA considerations. The "accidental releases" of dispersible engineered nanomaterials (DENMs) that we have cleaned were all organic materials, and so they eventually were incinerated.

Sonja Ringen
Safety Specialist
Boulder Safety, Health and Environment
National Institute of Standards and Technology
325 Broadway, MC 153.02
Boulder, CO 80305

Work: 303-497-7389
Mobile: 303-961-9251

-----Original Message-----
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU] On Behalf Of Ralph B. Stuart
Sent: Thursday, April 11, 2013 9:37 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Nano materials spills?

A question that someone in DCHAS-L land may have addressed that has come up here is:
Are there any special precautions people take in responding to spills in nano laboratories? Or in terms of disposing of the debris associated in such clean ups?

Thanks for any thoughts on this issue.

- Ralph

Ralph Stuart CIH
Chemical Hygiene Officer
Department of Environmental Health and Safety Cornell University

rstuart**At_Symbol_Here**cornell.edu

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