safe disposal of test kits

Paccula

Paccula

AC Members
Dec 14, 2004
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Vancouver, BC, Canada
I recently bought a Nutrafin mini master test kit, which contains liquid tests (not strips)
chemicals are:

KH/GH tests

A-7831
Flammable. Repeted exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking. Vapours may cause drowsiness and dizziness. Keep out of reach of children. Do not breath vapours/spray. In case of contact with eyes, rince immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice. If swallowed, seek medical advice immediately and show this leaflet.

A-7832
Highly flammable. Toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed. Toxic: Danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed. Keep locked up and out of reach of children. Keep container tightly closed. Keep away from sources of ignition- no smoking. After contact with skin, wash immediately with plenty of water. This material and its container must be disposed of in a safe way. Wear suitable protective clothing, gloves and eye/face protection. In case of accident or if you feel unwell, seek medical advice immediately (show this leaflet and container) use only in well-ventilated areas.
contains: Methanol

Ammonia test

A-7821
Toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed. Danger of cumulative effects. Causes burns. keep locked up and out of reach of children. keep away from food, drink and animal feeding stuffs. In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medial advice. This material and its container must be disposed of in a safe way. Wear suitable protective clothing, gloves and eye/face protection. In case of accident or if you feel unwell, seek medical advice immediately (show this leaflet and container).
contains:sodium Hydroxide and mercury diiodide (II)

Nitrite test

A-7826
Irritating to eyes and skin. Kep out of reach of children. Avoid contact with skin and eyes. In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice. Wear suitable gloves. If swallowed, seek medical advice immediately and show this leaflet.
ContainsL 1.5% Hydrochloric Acid.

A-7827
Flammable. Irritating to eyes and skin. Kep out of reach of children. Avoid contact with skin and eyes. In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice. Wear suitable gloves. If swallowed, seek medical advice immediately and show this leaflet.
Contains: 15% Acetic Acid.


I don't really like the fact that they leave it to the consumer to find a "safe method" of disposal of these chemicals. It sounds as though simply rinsing them down the drain would cause deadly results in the water system and possibly myself if it splashes on me or on anything my cat might touch.

Does anybody know how to dispose of these chemicals? is there something that can be mixed with them to neutrilize them? If not, I may take the test kit back. its not worth it.
 
I was also wondering what people do with the liquid once they have tested the water. I suppose the typical consumer really cannot do much more than dump it down the drain or flush it as a means of disposal.
 
I recently disposed of a few old liquid test kits. I just poured them down the drain and let the water run for about 10 minutes. Once the stuff gets into the sewer it will be diluted to the point where it's harmless. It would be different if we were talking about gallons of the stuff rather than just a relatively tiny bottle.
 
I suppose with most of them that would be good enough. but one of them specifies "This material and its container must be disposed of in a safe way." which sounds to me like more than diluting it with water. like, you shouldn't throw batteries in the garbage, you know? that sort of thing. But this would be much more dangerous if anyone touches it, or cats/dogs rooting in the garbage, who knows what.
 
Fishle said:
I recently disposed of a few old liquid test kits. I just poured them down the drain and let the water run for about 10 minutes. Once the stuff gets into the sewer it will be diluted to the point where it's harmless. It would be different if we were talking about gallons of the stuff rather than just a relatively tiny bottle.
Click to expand...




Not much different than dumping 20 gallons of water filled with fish poo down the drain with each weekly water change
 
Paccula said:
fish poo is nice and organic and good for the environment, though. And it won't cause severe burns or respiratory problems :P
Click to expand...



but it comes from fish not indiginous to your area. You could be introducing strange organisms and bacteria


That and there could be 20 gallons of it, vs a couple of drops of testing chemicals



That and you send more chemicals down the drain when you clean your toilet with Comet, Ajax, Vim etc. Not to mention the phosphates in dishwashing and clothes washing cleansers



Doesn't make it right, but we have to put all things in perspective.
 
I use biodegradable dishwashing and laundry detergent, so no worries of that.

If you don't know how to properly dispose of these chemicals that is okay. If no one knows I will just return the tests, as I don't need them that badly.
 
May day warning!!! I killed an entire tank of Mbuna by accidentally stupidly leaving a sponge I'd wiped the ledge with after doing tests. It fell in front of the filter outtake and by morning all were dead. Once I figured out what it was, I checked the chemicals again, as I had thought hydrochloric acid was one--yup! So I researched it--it only takes a very very small amount released into water systems to wipe out aquatic populations. So. . . when I finish with my first kit, I'll deactivate the chemicals left (I do it now when I'm finished using baking soda and something else, can't remember this late). I'm on a septic and we don't need to kill off our good helpful bacteria in there!!
 
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