Emergency Permit for Management of Hazardous Waste, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Fremont, California

Emergency Permit for Management of Hazardous Waste, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Fremont, California

The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), pursuant to authority granted under California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 22, Division 4.5, Chapter 20, Sec. 66270.61, has issued an Emergency Permit to Thermo Fisher Scientific, (EPA ID# CAR000278267) to treat hazardous wastes through a controlled reaction with chemical solutions. Specifically, eight (8) 1-liter containers of Tetrahydrofuran, two (2) 1-liter containers and twenty nine (29) 100-milliliter containers of 1,4 Dioxane, one (1) 500-milliliter container of 2-Methoxyethanol, two (2) 500-milliliter containers of Diethyl Ether, two (2) 1-liter containers of Butyl Acrylate, one (1) 1-liter container of Styrene, one (1) 3-Kilogram container of Acrylic Acid, and one (1) 1-liter container of Sodium Azide must be stabilized prior to transport to an authorized hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facility. These chemicals are currently being stored at Thermo Fisher Scientific located at 46500 Kato Road, Fremont, California 94538. DTSC has determined as a safety precaution to prevent an accident or severe injury, an Emergency Permit should be issued to chemically stabilize the hazardous wastes prior to storage and eventual transportation off-site by Clean Harbors Environmental Services (Clean Harbors). Background: The containers have peroxide formation present on either the inside, outside, or the bottom of the chemicals’ containers, as well as the thread container caps. The presence of peroxide formation may be unstable at relatively low concentrations, resulting in fire and/or explosion if improperly handled. Shock and/or temperature sensitive materials can decompose or detonate with external energy when dry or concentrated. If the material is improperly handled, there is a potential for a reaction, which includes fire, deflagration, or detonation. Due to the presence of peroxide formation materials and shock-sensitive materials, DTSC considers these chemicals to be an imminent and substantial endangerment to human health and the environment. Chemical stabilization is recommended prior to transport to a permitted treatment, storage, and disposal facility. Project Activities: The treatment of these hazardous wastes involves the addition of solutions to the containers in a controlled manner to reduce the reactive or ignitable characteristics of the chemicals. Treatment will take place within a designated exclusion zone. Only technicians from Clean Harbors will be allowed in the exclusion zone. Movement, preparation, and treatment of the containers will be in accordance with established standards. Within 10 business days of the expiration of this permit, Thermo Fisher Scientific will submit a final report, signed in accordance with Title 22, CCR Sec. 66270.11(d). The report shall include certification that the treatment area has been cleared of all residual hazardous waste generated from this emergency treatment and all generated waste has been properly managed. The Emergency Permit is effective beginning February 7, 2025 and shall expire on April 8, 2025.

Fremont

Alameda

San Francisco Bay Area

Alameda