Management of Hazardous Material (HAZMAT) in DPKO Missions: Associated risks and recommendations

1. Management of Hazardous Material (HAZMAT) in DPKO Missions: Associated risks and recommendations Orientation to the Militaries, UNPOLs, Civilians, Recyclers and HAZMAT contractors in the United Nations-Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) missions Author Emilia Mmbando Raila PUBH-8165-10 Walden University Instructor Dr. Howard E. Rubin

2. General objectives of this orientation • To identify HAZMAT generated in DPKO Missions, related exposures, environmental & health effects (Part I) • To understand proper HAZMAT management (Part II) including: • HAZMAT minimization; • Proper handling; • Appropriate storage; • Dedicated transportation; • Treatment alternatives and; • Final disposal

3. What is HAZMAT? • HAZMAT are solids, sludge, liquids, or gases that pose significant danger to the public health or the environment if poorly managed. References Moeller, D. W. (2005). Environmental Health. Harvard Cambridge , MA: Harvard University Press USEPA (2010). Superfund for students and teachers: Hazardous material and hazardous waste. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/superfund/students/clas_act/haz-ed/ff_01.htm

4. Characteristics of HAZMAT • Ignitability • Corrosive • Reactivity • Toxicity References Moeller, D. W. (2005). Environmental Health. Harvard Cambridge , MA: Harvard University Press USEPA (2010). Superfund for students and teachers: Hazardous material and hazardous waste. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/superfund/students/clas_act/haz-ed/ff_01.htm

5. Examples of HAZMAT generated in DPKO Missions • Used lead acid & Lithium batteries • Used oil and its contaminants including used oil filters, rugs, & contaminated soil; • Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs); • Water treatment chemicals; • Medical waste including infectious materials & expired drugs; • Metal & electronic scrap; • Used and damaged tires.

6. Common HAZMAT generated in DPKO Missions Source: MINUSTAH(2010) . GSS/Property Disposal Unit

7. Exposure to HAZMAT • Humans, plants, and animals get exposed to HAZMAT through inhalation of polluted air with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBS), dioxin, furans; ingestion of contaminated food/water and dermal contact • Exposure can be acute (single exposure) or chronic (repeated exposures) • Use of protective gears and proper handling & disposal procedures reduce human exposure References Moeller, D. W. (2005). Environmental Health. Harvard Cambridge , MA: Harvard University Press ATSDR (2010). Toxic substances portal. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). Retrieved from http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/substances/toxsubstance.asp?toxid=25 CDC. (2010). National environmental report on human exposure to environmental chemicals. Polycyclic Hydrocarbons. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/exposurereport/data_tables/URXP10_DataTables.html

8. Environmental effects of HAZMAT • Pollute soil, air, surface water & underground water by PAHs, heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and other pollutants that in turn affect people, animals & crops mainly during its treatment & final disposal. • Contribute to ozone layer depletion and climate change effects following global warming for example chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) References Moeller, D. W. (2005). Environmental Health. Harvard Cambridge , MA: Harvard University Press USEPA (2010). Superfund for students and teachers: Hazardous material and hazardous waste. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/superfund/students/clas_act/haz-ed/ff_01.htm ATSDR (2010). Toxic substances portal. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). Retrieved from http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/substances/toxsubstance.asp?toxid=25 Environmental Protection Agency (2010). Ozone Layer Protection. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/ozone/geninfo/benefits.html

9. Health effects of HAZMAT e.g. desktop computer Reference Moeller, D. W. (2005). Environmental Health. Harvard Cambridge , MA: Harvard University Press

10. Health effects of HAZMAT in desktop computer cont… Reference Moeller, D. W. (2005). Environmental Health. Harvard Cambridge , MA: Harvard University Press

11. Health effects of HAZMAT in desktop computer cont… Reference Moeller, D. W. (2005). Environmental Health. Harvard Cambridge , MA: Harvard University Press

12. HAZMAT Management

13. HAZMAT minimization • Promote less HAZMAT generation; • Ensure long-term utilization of HAZMAT; • Regular inventory taking to check expire date for first-in-first-out issuing plan for HAZMAT • Promote HAZMAT sharing among contingents & departments • Promote awareness on HAZMAT minimization • Avoid HAZMAT spillage • Promote recycling and reuse References Moeller, D. W. (2005). Environmental Health. Harvard Cambridge , MA: Harvard University Press

14. Recycling & Reuse • Changing HAZMAT into usable products e.g. recovery of heavy metal from electronic scrap, recycling of used lead acid batteries by HAZMAT contractors/recyclers. • Reuse of HAZMAT without changing its initial form e.g. controlling soil erosion by means of used and damaged tires • HAZMAT as source of energy in industries e.g. waste oil as energy source in production of essential oils in Haiti Converting HAZMAT into essential resources http://dodfuelcell.cecer.army.mil/rd/WTE_Workshop/Guinivan-AEC.pdf References Moeller, D. W. (2005). Environmental Health. Harvard Cambridge , MA: Harvard University Press USEPA (2010). Superfund for students and teachers: Hazardous material and hazardous waste. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/superfund/students/clas_act/haz-ed/ff_01.htm

15. DPKO responsibilities towards proper HAZMAT recycling & reuse Avoid destruction/crushing of HAZMAT Promote awareness on HAZMAT handling by civilians, UNPOLs & militaries to facilitate its reuse Supervise HAZMAT contractors & recyclers for adherence on TOR Assist HAZMAT shipment where necessary Facilitate prompt renewal of HAZMAT contracts References Moeller, D. W. (2005). Environmental Health. Harvard Cambridge , MA: Harvard University Press

16. Proper handling • Wear protective gears while working with HAZMAT • Observe good personal hygiene • Segregate HAZMAT at source • Maintain caps and upright position of HAZMAT e.g. lead acid batteries, solvents & waste oil • Keep oil filters upside down to drain oil into a leak proof containers prior to incineration • Don’t hack solid HAZMAT e. g. tires • Maintain original & sealed containers for toxic liquids • Drain scrap generators, vehicles & pumps prior to shipment • Maintain color coding segregation of medical waste • Reference • MINUSTAH.(2009). SOP for the collection and disposal of HAZMAT within MINUSTAH

17. Appropriate HAZMAT storage • Store HAZMAT in cool, dry, well ventilated and confined area • Collect waste non corrosive HAZMAT in 55-gallon metal drums • Place HAZMAT on platforms with spills catchment chambers • Use lined containers for medical waste to prevent contamination • Maintain labels & Store HAZMAT only without mixing with non HAZMAT • Accommodate oil absorbents, empty drums, fire extinguishers and PPEs in storage yard • Reference • MINUSTAH.(2009). SOP for the collection and disposal of HAZMAT within MINUSTAH

18. Dedicated HAZMAT shipment • Use specific truck to ship HAZMAT for disposal • Minimize human contact during transportation • Ship HAZMAT during non-peak periods • Inform responsible units within DPKO about the quantity, nature, shipment day and time • Carry oil absorbent materials in the truck for emergency spills • Reference • MINUSTAH.(2009). SOP for the collection and disposal of HAZMAT within MINUSTAH

19. HAZMAT treatment • Meant for stability, neutrality, and energy recovery from HAZMAT prior to disposal through: • Incineration • Heat treatment • Neutralization • Solidification and/or stabilization • Chemical treatment References Moeller, D. W. (2005). Environmental Health. Harvard Cambridge , MA: Harvard University Press USEPA (2010). Superfund for students and teachers: Hazardous material and hazardous waste. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/superfund/students/clas_act/haz-ed/ff_01.htm

20. Incineration • Involves waste reduction and toxic obliteration such as incineration of medical waste & oil contaminated materials • Centrally located incinerators should be advocated for cost reduction and efficiency in preventing dioxins and furans • Ash requires proper final disposal (landfill) Medical waste incinerator: MINUSTAH (2009) GSS/PDU • References • MINUSTAH.(2009). SOP for the collection and disposal of HAZMAT within MINUSTAH • Moeller, D. W. (2005). Environmental Health. Harvard Cambridge , MA: Harvard University Press

21. Heat treatment • Involves heat application at moderate temperatures • Effective in treating soil contaminated with volatile solvents such as diesel and gasoline fuels • Presence of heat as by product of heat treatment may attract thermophilic bacteria that assist in stabilizing the contaminants Reference Moeller, D. W. (2005). Environmental Health. Harvard Cambridge , MA: Harvard University Press

22. Neutralization • Removing corrosive character of HAZMAT and adjusting its pH to reduce leaching ability • Example is reaction of acid with base to form salt and water References Moeller, D. W. (2005). Environmental Health. Harvard Cambridge , MA: Harvard University Press

23. Solidification and/or stabilization • Portland cement is added to lower toxicity, recover physical characters and diminish transmission of contaminant for example encapsulation of unused and expired vaccines in DPKO • Reduce HAZMAT to its fundamental form through plasma power technology for example upwards processing of 100 ton tires per day. References Moeller, D. W. (2005). Environmental Health. Harvard Cambridge , MA: Harvard University Press

24. Chemical treatment • Suitable in treatment of corrosive solids such as lime in DPKO missions • Leaching of organic or inorganic contaminants from soils in situ or ex situ is being done by use of special formulated solutions • Capable of chemically converting some compounds to much less mobility or toxicity nature for example chromium VI conversion to less toxic chromium III Reference Moeller, D. W. (2005). Environmental Health. Harvard Cambridge , MA: Harvard University Press

25. Final HAZMAT disposal Placing HAZMAT into the land which is lined to prevent leachate from contaminating the environment. HAZMAT should not be disposed of in municipal landfill Collaborate with host countries to implement landfill for HAZMAT if not exist Hazardous waste landfill Cross-section of an active Landfill www.blueenvironmental.com/images/imgLandfillD References Moeller, D. W. (2005). Environmental Health. Harvard Cambridge , MA: Harvard University Press USEPA (2010). Superfund for students and teachers: Hazardous material and hazardous waste

26. References • ATSDR (2010). Toxic substances portal. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). Retrieved from http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/substances/toxsubstance.asp?toxid=25 • CDC. (2010). National environmental report on human exposure to environmental chemicals. Polycyclic Hydrocarbons. Retrieved from • http://www.cdc.gov/exposurereport/data_tables/URXP10_DataTables.html • Environmental Protection Agency (2010). Ozone Layer Protection. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/ozone/geninfo/benefits.html • USEPA (2010). Superfund for students and teachers: Hazardous material and hazardous waste. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/superfund/students/clas_act/haz-ed/ff_01.htm • Moeller, D. W. (2005). Environmental Health. Harvard Cambridge , MA: Harvard University Press • MINUSTAH.(2009). SOP for the collection and disposal of HAZMAT within MINUSTAH

27. Proper HAZMAT disposal requires Militaries, FPUs, civilians, Recyclers and HAZMAT Contractors in DPKO missions to properly minimize HAZMAT generation rates, promote proper handling, shipment, storage, treatment and final disposal. This will minimize pollution in host counties for healthier people and environment. Thanks for your time! Host countries are home countries, don’t pollute!