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Mercury
Work Group
Phase I Reports >> Infrastructure Report
Executive Summary | End-of-Pipe Report |
Operations Report | Infrastructure Report
For more information,
contact David Eppstein by email at
deppstein@masco.harvard.edu,
or by calling 617-632-2860.
Objective: To determine if there are any chemicals which will remove, dissolve, disperse and/or eliminate biological growth inside hospital conveyance piping.
CAUTION !!! - Do not begin this Protocol until you are completely
familiar with its entire contents.
I. PLUMBING SAMPLE SELECTION (Refer to Section 5 - Health
& Safety - prior to handling any plumbing samples)
- The following is a list of plumbing material, in order of preference,
that may be used in this protocol.
Glass
Polypropylene
PVC
Iron & Brass (not desired due to amalgamation)
- The following is a list of plumbing sample types, in order
of preference, that may be used in this protocol. The following
samples types were selected because they will probably contain
the largest volumes of growth and the removal of these plumbing
samples tend to be easier. It is very important that the plumbing
sample material and type be recorded in the protocol spreadsheet
(refer to Appendix A - Protocol Spreadsheet).
P Traps
Other Traps
90o Elbows
Couplings & Union with small section of piping attached
Conveyance Piping
A sample will not be used if it does not contain biomass
growth.
- For each chemical, that is being evaluated for biomass removal,
approximately five (5) to ten (10) plumbing samples will be required.
The number of samples required are due because of the different
chemical concentrations that will probably be needed.
- After the section of plumbing sample has been selected and
removed, take the necessary general precautions to avoid contaminating
the plumbing samples (i.e. avoid touch growth, avoid losing growth,
avoid setting plumbing samples down on table top,.......)
- The plumbing sample must be given an identification name and
label that includes the following information:
Institution Name
Building and / or Floor NumbeR
Sink, Trap and / or Piping
Internal Tracking Identification Number
EXAMPLE: Saint Elizabeth's Hospital, Mary Rose Building
- Second Floor, Sink Number 214 - 1 is where the plumbing
sample was removed.
Identification Name: STE-MARY-2ND-214-1
- In addition to the sample identification label, a sample inventory
sheet should be prepared for all the samples transported to the
analytical laboratory (refer to Appendix C - Sample Inventory
Sheet). This sheet will further assist the laboratory technician
in identifying the samples.
- The plumbing sample must now be prepared for transportation
to the analytical laboratory for chemical treatability testing.
Each sample must be preserved until it reaches the laboratory,
this will be done by filling the plumbing sample with source water
and capping both ends. The end caps must be secured tightly to
ensure that no water will leak during transportation to the laboratory.
- After the plumbing sample is filled with source water and capped,
all samples should be placed in a proper shipping container that
meets all DOT regulation requirements for transportation of infectious
materials.
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT & MATERIALS FOR SECTION I
- Protocol Sample Inventory Sheet
- Plumbing tools for the removal of plumbing samples
- Replacement plumbing stock for the removed plumbing samples
- Caps for sample preservation
- Plumbing sample labeling material
- DOT shipping containers, labels and papers
II. CHEMICAL CLEANING PREPARATION (Refer to Section
VI - Chemical Support Information - prior to handling
any chemicals)
- Upon receipt of the plumbing samples, the laboratory technician
will verify that the samples are all present and accounted for
by means of the protocol sample inventory sheet prepared by the
sampler at the host institution. This will ensure that all the
samples have an identification name and institution source location.
- This protocol has a spreadsheet which will be used to record
all analytical results and observations performed by all laboratory
technicians (refer to Appendix A - Protocol Spreadsheet). When
a plumbing sample is selected for chemical cleaning, the sample
identification name used in section I (5) will be entered in the
protocol spreadsheet when testing commences.
- The following is a list of suggested chemicals that will be
used for this pipe cleaning protocol:
Potassium Hydroxide
Sodium Hydroxide
Hydrogen Peroxide
Trisodium Phosphate (TSP)
Surfactants
Sulfuric Acid / Hydrogen Peroxide Etching Solution
Sodium Hypochlorite
Each of the chemicals used will require a background mercury concentration
be obtained (refer to Appendix B - Mercury - Analytical Methods).
- These chemicals will not be used in their full strength concentration,
they will require diluting in the 1 - 10 percent range. It is
recommended to start with a 5 percent concentration and adjust
the concentration up or down pending the results of the 5 percent
solution. If the concentrations in the 1 -10 percent range have
little or no effect on the samples, then increase the concentration
to 25 - 50 percent range, but not exceeding 50 percent. It is
important to record each individual chemical concentration for
each plumbing sample on the protocol spreadsheet (refer to Appendix
A - Protocol Spreadsheet).
- The water used for diluting concentrated chemicals must be
analyzed for total mercury prior to mixing (refer to Appendix
B - Mercury - Analytical Methods). Remember, the proper
way of combining acid or base is adding acid or base to water.
- After the diluted chemical solution is prepared, it will also
require total mercury analysis (refer to Appendix B - Mercury
- Analytical Methods).
- Sufficient volume of diluted chemistry should be prepared to
ensure that the plumbing sample's internal surfaces will be completely
wetted.
- At this point a chemical should be selected, sufficient volume
of diluted chemistry prepared and a sample of concentrated chemistry
obtained for mercury analysis.
- Remove the end caps and dispose of any wastewater inside the
plumbing sample. All wastes and wastewaters must be disposed
via laboratory procedures.
- Observe the physical appearance and condition of each plumbing
sample and record all observations on the protocol spreadsheet
(refer to Appendix A - Protocol Spreadsheet). For samples that
have different amounts of biomass, recorded observations will
be important for interpreting test results.
- After all the wastewater has drained out of the plumbing sample,
it is important to obtain a representative sample
of biomass solids. This will act as the background mercury for
that plumbing sample. You will need approximately 1.0 gram of
biomass, this will be enough for the total mercury analysis (refer
to Appendix B - Mercury - Analytical Methods).
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT & MATERIALS FOR SECTION II
- Protocol Spreadsheet for recording observations and analytical results.
- Sampling Inventory Sheet from Institution sampler.
- Approximately 30 gallon container for dilution and rinse water
storage. (quantity = 1)
- A large container, approximately 3 - 5 liters, for diluting treatability
chemicals.
- Graduated cylinder for chemical dilutions.
- Sampling containers for mercury analysis.
(quantity = 3 liquid samples per chemical being evaluated
and 1 biomass sediment per plumbing sample)
- Grease pencils for labeling sampling containers and chemical
containers.
- A mercury analyzer that can satisfy the required analytical methods
in Appendix B
REQUIRED ANALYTICAL TESTING FOR SECTION II
- Concentrated chemicals for total mercury background concentration
- Dilution water for total mercury concentration
- Diluted chemicals for total mercury concentration
- Biomass for total mercury background concentration
All analytical results must be recorded on protocol spreadsheet!!!!!!!!!!
III. CHEMICAL CLEANING
- Prior to introducing the plumbing sample to diluted chemicals
make sure there is sufficient volume of diluted treatment chemical
prepared to completely wet the entire internal surfaces of the
plumbing sample, and a sample of diluted treatment chemical should
also have been obtained.
- Make sure a biomass sample has been taken for mercury analysis
and observations are made about the sample prior to submerging
into diluted chemicals.
- Make sure that one end of the plumbing sample is water tight
prior to the addition of the treatment chemical. Be careful when
filling the sample with treatment chemical not to pour the chemistry
directly at or into the plumbing sample, this is done to avoid
physical removal of the biomass.
- Plumbing samples should be allowed to soak for a limited period
of time. The maximum amount of soaking time is 2 hours. During
that soaking period there should be observation taken approximately
every 15 to 20 minutes to evaluate the chemicals performance.
All of these observations must be recorded and will be used to
help determine the length of soaking that will be required when
the chemical is used full scale.
- Once a visual determination is made that the chemical appears
to be finished cleaning, or the soaking period has elapsed, then
the treatment chemical can be removed from the plumbing sample.
After removing the treatment chemical, allow sufficient time
for the sample to drip dry into the collected used treatment chemical.
The length of the soaking time and final visual observations
should be recorded on the protocol spreadsheet.
- If after 2 hours of chemical soaking and none of the protocol's
objectives are met, then the testing is completed for that chemical
concentration. If the same result occurs at a concentration of
50 percent for the same chemical than that chemical will no longer
be tested. Remember to record all observations, especially for
chemicals that have no effect on the biomass.
A representative sample of the residual chemical,
which now contains biomass, must be obtained and analyzed for
total mercury (refer to Appendix B - Mercury - Analytical Methods).
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT & MATERIALS FOR SECTION III
- Protocol Spreadsheet for recording observations and analytical
results
- Large clean containers, approximately 3 - 5 liters or large enough
to contain the volume of the plumbing sample.
(quantity = 1 per chemical concentration being evaluated)
- Timing device for keeping track of soaking times.
- Sampling containers for mercury analysis.
(quantity = 1 liquid samples per chemical being evaluated)
- Grease pencils for labeling sampling containers and chemical
containers.
- A mercury analyzer that can satisfy the required analytical methods
in Appendix B
REQUIRED ANALYTICAL TESTING FOR SECTION III
All analytical results must be recorded on protocol spreadsheet!!!!!!!!!!
IV. CHEMICAL RINSING
- The plumbing sample will be triple rinsed to determine if complete
growth removal was successful.
- First rinsing step (Rinse Water I) will be a 20 minute soaking
in previously analyzed water. The plumbing sample's internal
surfaces must once again be completely wetted. At the end of
the 20 minutes remove the rinse water and allow to completely
drip dry. Set aside the used rinse water for mercury sampling.
- Second rinsing step (Rinse Water II) will consist of pouring
previously analyzed water through the plumbing sample and into
a clean beaker or container. The volume of rinse water that should
be used in this step will be approximately 2 liters. Set aside
the used rinse water for mercury sampling after you have allowed
the sample to drip dry sufficiently.
- Third rinsing step (Rinse Water III) will consist of pouring
an additional 2 liters of previously analyzed water through the
plumbing sample, same as Rinse Water II step, and collecting all
rinse water in a clean beaker or container. Set aside the used
rinse water for mercury sampling.
- It is important to allow sufficient drip time between rinsing
steps. This will minimize the amount of chemical and biomass
dragout between rinse stations.
- After Rinse Water III step, record any final observation and
dispose of the plumbing sample via laboratory disposal procedures.
- Obtain a representative sample of the rinse waters
for steps I, II and III and have them analyzed for total mercury
(refer to Appendix B for Mercury Analytical Procedures). It is
very important that the samples of rinse water obtained are representative.
- After the three representative rinse water samples
have been analyzed and you are satisfied with the
analytical results, then all spent rinse water may be disposed
via laboratory procedures.
- After all the information is entered in to the protocol spreadsheet
and any final observations or comments are made and recorded,
then the treatability testing for this chemical is completed.
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT & MATERIALS FOR SECTION IV
- Protocol Spreadsheet for recording observations and analytical
results
- Large clean container, approximately 3 liters or large enough
to submerge plumbing sample, for chemical rinsing in step I.
(quantity = 1 per chemical concentration being evaluated)
- Large clean container, approximately 3 liters, for collecting
water from rinsing steps II and III.
(quantity = 2 per chemical concentration being evaluated)
- Timing device for keeping track of soaking times.
- Sampling containers for mercury analysis.
(quantity needed = 3 liquid samples per chemical concentration
being evaluated)
- Grease pencils for labeling sampling containers and chemical
containers.
- A mercury analyzer that can satisfy the required analytical methods
in Appendix B
REQUIRED ANALYTICAL TESTING FOR SECTION IV
- Rinse waters from phases I, II and III for mercury concentration
All analytical results must be recorded
on protocol spreadsheet!!!!!!!!!!
V. HEALTH AND SAFETY
- Prior to handling or removing any "Special Waste" conveyance
plumbing, the Host Institution's Safety Officer must give the
sampler and laboratory technician training in sampling. If the
Host Institution is unable to supply the sampler and technician
with this training, then they must obtain contract services to
provide the necessary training and sampling protocol.
- When dealing with any conveyance plumbing there is always the
risk of coming in contact with infectious diseases and it will
be imperative that samplers and laboratory technicians receive
required training.
- The types of plumbing samples that are preferred, would be samples
from research and clinical laboratories that do not deal with
highly infectious diseases and radioactive materials.
VI. CHEMICAL SUPPORT INFORMATION
- Material Safety Data Sheet MSDS must be obtained and present
for all chemicals during testing.
- When handling and dispensing chemicals always refer to manufacturers
material safety data sheets (MSDS) on all safety and precaution
issues. MSDS's should be reviewed prior to starting work.
- Prior to handling protocol treatment chemicals the Analytical
Testing Laboratory Safety Officer must give the laboratory technician
Hazard Communication Training for all chemicals and procedures
of the laboratory. The Hazard Communication Training should include,
but not limited, to the following:
- MSDS Awareness
- Laboratory Hazards
- Personnel Protective Equipment
- Spill Response Procedures and Equipment
- Emergency Showers and Eye Wash Stations
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