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Medical Photographic Waste
Medical, industrial x-ray, printers, and photo processing are regulated as follows:
- Hazardous wastes generated by a photo processing facility, for instance, may be regulated differently depending upon how the wastes are managed. For example:
- If a spent characteristic photographic fixer waste is stored on-site and then reclaimed, it must be managed as a hazardous waste and counted towards the facility's generator status. The reclamation process itself is exempt from regulation
- If the spent characteristic photographic fixer waste is directly reclaimed without prior storage, the waste is not counted towards the facility's generator status. The reclamation process itself is exempt from regulation
- If the waste is destined for precious metals recovery (i.e., recovery of economically significant amounts of precious metals) then reduced standards for the generators, transporters, and stores of these materials apply
- Also, the reclamation of photographic fixer of photo processing wastewater may generate a characteristic sludge that contains silver. If this sludge is sent for reclamation, it is not a solid waste and thus, is not regulated as a hazardous waste. If the sludge is sent for disposal, it is subject to hazardous waste requirements
Do Exclusions Exist?
The RCRA regulations contain exclusions for wastes and waste management practices that are not considered to be hazardous. Several exclusions and exemptions pertain to the photo processing industry. A Quinlan Company representative will be happy to review exemptions that pertain to you.
Computer to Plate:Â Due to the high Ph level in the processing solutions of the CTP process, many state and local agencies require treatment prior to discharge to POTW.
Digital Printers/1-Hour Photo Labs/ Darkrooms: Recently the air quality in the confined areas around digital printers and film processors has raised concerns. Filtration is recognized by OSHA as an acceptable method of controlling indoor air quality. The Quinlan Companies carries a complete line of air filtration systems.