Zinc
Eating large amounts of zinc may cause stomach cramps, nausea, and
vomiting. It can also cause anemia, pancreas damage, and lower levels of high density
lipoprotein cholesterol (beneficial cholesterol). Breathing large amounts of zinc can
cause a specific short-term disease called metal fume fever. The long-term effects of
breathing high levels of zinc are not known.
Zinc: P2 Options: Hospitals
- Train employees in proper equipment and chemical handling and
procedures.
- If possible, recycle zinc-air batteries (usually found in hearing
aids and electronic pagers) and other batteries.
- Check cleaning products for zinc. Floor waxes, wax strippers,
stainless steel cleaners, brass polish, and lubricants often contain zinc. Replace with
non-hazardous alternatives.
- Consider installing an onsite distillation system for solvents.
- Dispose of zinc-preserved stool samples as medical waste instead of
pouring down the sewer.
- Use ointments not containing zinc for diaper rash and dermatology
applications.
[Related links][References]
Zinc: P2 Options: Auto Services/Auto Fluids
- Train employees in proper equipment and chemical handling and
procedures.
- Keep an emergency spill kit available at all times.
- Recycle vehicle batteries
- Recycle waste motor oil and waste antifreeze. Do not send down a sink
drain or storm drain.
- Keep fluid wastes in well marked containers.
- Regularly inspect solvent tanks and separators.
- Use drip pans whenever changing fluids.
- Consider plugging up shop sewer drains.
- Sweep work area instead of hosing down.
- Consider installing a wastewater recycling system.
- Keep waste towels in a closed, well-marked container. Consider using
laundry service able to treat wastewater generated from cleaning the towels.
[Related links][References]
Zinc: P2 Options: Printing Services
- Train employees in proper equipment and chemical handling and
procedures.
- Fill ink fountains only enough for a run. Return all unemulsified
inks to their containers.
- Run similar jobs simultaneously to minimize cleanup waste generation.
- Consider replacing solvent-based inks with water-based alternatives.
- Clean ink fountains only when changing colors or when ink will dry
out between runs.
- Donate unemulsified inks to trade schools, colleges, etc.
- Consider switching to soy or vegetable oil based inks.
[Related links][References]
Zinc: P2 Options: Cleaners
- Floor waxes, wax strippers, stainless steel cleaners, brass polish,
and lubricants often contain zinc. Replace with non-hazardous alternatives.
[Related links][References]
Zinc: P2 Options: Plumbing
- Replace zinc-coated pipes.
[References]
Zinc: References
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry ToxFAQs
http://atsdr1.atsdr.cdc.gov:8080/toxfaq.html
California Environmental Protection Agency, Pollution Prevention
Guide for Hospitals (Excluding Medical Wastes), Document 413, May 1998.
Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission Small Business
Assistance Program, The Autobody Industry,
http://www.tnrcc.state.tx.us/exec/small_business/
txmentor/autobd02.html#other.html
Coordinating Committee For Automotive Repair, Fuel for
Thought...How to Reduce Wastes at Your Shop,
http://www.ccar-greenlink.org/documents/cat1100/doc1150.html
State of California, Environmental Protection Agency Department of
Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), Waste Minimization for the Commercial Printing
Industry,
http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/sppt/opptd/pubs/pp205WMC.htm
Environmental Protection Agency, Profile of the Printing Industry,
http://es.epa.gov/oeca/sector/index.html#print
Tennessee Valley Authority, Waste Reduction Manual for
Lithographic and Screen Printers, August 1994.
Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, YardWise: A Green
Guide to Yard Care,
ftp://ftp.tnrcc.state.tx.us/pub/ExecutiveDirector/
AgencyCommunications/topdoc/gi/028.pdf
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