Difference between revisions of "Proper disposal of chemicals"

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(Chemical disposal table)
(Chemical disposal table)
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 +
|-
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| [[Aluminium sulfate]]
 +
| Any alkaline hydroxide
 +
| Releases sulfur oxides at high temperature
 +
| Dilute it first; neutralization with a base first is recommended
 +
| No
 +
| Increases the aluminium concentration in soil and water, lowers pH
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[Aluminium sulfide]]
 
| [[Aluminium sulfide]]
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| [[Oxalic acid]]
 
| [[Oxalic acid]]
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| Calcium oxide, hydroxide, carbonate
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| Releases carbon oxides and water vapor at high temperature
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| Yes
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| No
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| Toxic to wildlife
 
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| [[Ozone]]
 
| [[Ozone]]
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| [[Pentane]]
 
| [[Pentane]]
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| Burning
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| Flammable, releases carbon oxides, water vapor when burned in air
|  
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| NO
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| NO
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| Dangerous to wildlife
 
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| [[Perchloric acid]]
 
| [[Perchloric acid]]
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| [[Phosphoric acid]]
 
| [[Phosphoric acid]]
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| Any metal oxide, hydroxide, carbonate
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| Not very useful
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| Yes, if it's diluted
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+
| Neutralize it first, good source of phosphorus, unless contaminated
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| Deadly to small animals; excess in water bodies may cause algal bloom
 
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| [[Phosphorus pentoxide‎‎]]
 
| [[Phosphorus pentoxide‎‎]]
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| [[Potassium ferrate]]
 
| [[Potassium ferrate]]
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| Any acid, hot water
|  
+
| Breaks down to iron(III) oxide and potassium hydroxide, best in the presence of moisture
|  
+
| Yes, but recommended to neutralize first
|  
+
| Yes, but recommended to neutralize first
|  
+
| Dangerous to wildlife in short term
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[Potassium hydroxide]]
 
| [[Potassium hydroxide]]
|  
+
| Any acid, carbon dioxide
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+
| Not useful
|  
+
| Yes
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+
| Neutralize first; neutralized is a good source of potassium for plants
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+
| Dangerous to wildlife in short term
 
|-
 
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| [[Potassium iodide]]
 
| [[Potassium iodide]]
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| [[Sodium chloride]]
 
| [[Sodium chloride]]
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| Not required
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| Not useful
|  
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| Yes
|  
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| No
|  
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| Toxic to plants due to sodium ions
 
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| [[Sodium ferrate]]
 
| [[Sodium ferrate]]
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|-
 
|-
 
| [[Sodium hydroxide]]
 
| [[Sodium hydroxide]]
|  
+
| Any acid, carbon dioxide
|  
+
| Not useful
|  
+
| Yes
|  
+
| Do not dump
|  
+
| Dangerous to wildlife in short term; toxic to plants due to sodium ions
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[Sodium hypochlorite]]
 
| [[Sodium hypochlorite]]
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| [[Sodium silicate]]
 
| [[Sodium silicate]]
|  
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| Any acid
|  
+
| Not useful
|  
+
| Not recommended
|  
+
| Only in places without plant or animal life (construction sites, quarries, etc.)
|  
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| Sodium ions are toxic to plant roots
 
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| [[Sodium sulfate]]
 
| [[Sodium sulfate]]
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| [[Sucrose]]
 
| [[Sucrose]]
|  
+
| Not always required
|  
+
| Turns into caramel if gently heated and soot at high temperatures
|  
+
| Yes
|  
+
| Yes
|  
+
| Source of food for many small animals
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[Sulfur dichloride]]
 
| [[Sulfur dichloride]]
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|-
 
|-
 
| [[Xylitol]]
 
| [[Xylitol]]
|  
+
| Not required
|  
+
| Melts when heated; not useful
|  
+
| Yes
|  
+
| Yes
|  
+
| Cannot be digested by most lifeforms
 
|-
 
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| [[Zinc carbonate]]
 
| [[Zinc carbonate]]
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|-
 
| [[Zinc phosphate]]
 
| [[Zinc phosphate]]
|  
+
| Not required
|  
+
| Not useful
|  
+
| No
|  
+
| Yes
|  
+
| Source of zinc and phosphorus for wildlife
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[Zinc sulfate]]
 
| [[Zinc sulfate]]

Revision as of 17:00, 1 December 2015

Most chemicals used by the amateur chemist come from every day use and do not require special treatment before being discarded in the usual way. However there are many chemicals, such as heavy metal compounds or organic solvents, that require special disposal techniques. In the interest of keeping lab costs low, though, it may be a good idea to look into ways to recycle and recover chemicals such as solvents, which can be reclaimed by distillation.

Standard procedures

Acids

Acids should be neutralized with a base, such as carbonate/bicarbonate, hydroxide (calcium hydroxide e.g.) usually as a solution. The soluble salts of halogen acids and oxoacids (except perchloric and chloric acids) can be safely poured down the drain. Special acids and their salts, such as hydrazoic acid and azides must not be poured directly down the drain, they must be treated with nitrous acid to destroy them.

Oxidizing mixtures, such as Aqua regia, piranha solution or mixed acid must also never be poured down the drain, as they're much more dangerous than simple acids, and can wreak havoc on your plumbing. Instead, they must be neutralized first.

Bases

Alkali hydroxides can be left in open air to absorb carbon dioxide as well as corrosive and unpleasant gases, forming carbonates and salts. For quicker results, alkali bases can be neutralized with any acid, though for practical and economical purposes, acetic acid or citric acid are sufficient. Bases may be reused to absorb acidic vapors in a desiccator, which mitigates their dangers. Care must be taken to avoid excess heating with strong bases.

Cyanides

Waste containing cyanide, either from gold refining or from organic extractions of alkaloids from cyanide containing plants, must be neutralized with bleach or hydrogen peroxide, to turn them into less harmful cyanates. Cyanates can be further neutralized to nitrogen and carbon dioxide.

Cyanides must never be poured down the drain.

Heavy metals

Since the biggest hazard comes from the volatile and soluble heavy metal compounds, it's best to convert them into insoluble compounds, which are less toxic.

Heavy metals, such as mercury, can often be neutralized with sulfur, generating mercury(II) sulfide, which is generally insoluble in water and has little reactivity.

Very dangerous heavy metals such as cadmium and arsenic should always be properly disposed of at designated facilities, as their effects on human life and the environment is sometimes catastrophic.

Inorganic anions

Inorganic anions, based on halogens, sulfur, phosphorus, nitrogen, carbon and silicon can be flushed down the drain with lots of water. Examples of these are sulfide, sulfate, chloride, chlorate, nitrate, nitrite, thiocyanate.[1]

Metal ions

A good rule of thumb for transition metals is to convert solutions of their ions to the insoluble carbonate or oxide, often one of the most stable and nontoxic forms of these elements, prior to disposal. Another simple solution is to reduce the ions back to the metal.

Copper salts are dangerous to the environment and should be reduced with iron to elemental copper, that can be reused, and the iron salts produced are less toxic.

Nickel-containing compounds, especially organonickel compounds, are carcinogens, and are also dangerous to many other forms of life. It is a good idea to take these to a proper waste disposal facility.

Cobalt salts may be carcinogenic and should be taken to a proper waste disposal facility.

Aluminium compounds should not be disposed in the sewage. They can, however, be converted to aluminium sulfate, which is safe to dispose of in soil, though it will cause a decrease in pH(it is used as a fertilizer for this purpose). It is a good idea to dispose of aluminium sulfate and a safe basic compound (such as calcium carbonate) at the same time.

Many compounds of chromium, especially chromium(VI), are poisonous and carcinogenic. These should be converted to the +3 oxidation state; hydrogen peroxide as well as sulfites or thiosulfate will do this, which is typically the least harmful, preferably to chromium(III) oxide. Chromium dioxide may be another feasible option, as it is found in cassette tapes and can be recycled with them.

Zinc compounds can be refined to zinc metal using electrowinning. It's not recommended to use zinc compounds as zinc supplemements for soil or livestock, as it may contain traces of cadmium.

Some MSDS sheets recommend that rare earths be converted to their oxalates or carbonates and disposed of in the trash.

Alkali metals are minimally toxic as their salts and may be dumped down the drain.

Organic compounds

Organic solvents should be dumped in labeled waste tanks, such as: halogenated, non-halogenated solvents. Flammable organic solvents that safe in low exposures such as ethanol, methanol, and acetone can often simply be burned outside for disposal, as most often their combustion products are simply carbon dioxide and water. It may be a better idea just to recover them by distillation, though.

A good way to destroy halogentated and aromatic compounds is with Fenton's reagent, which breaks them down to simpler non-toxic compounds. It's best however, to avoid dumping large quantities of waste, as the reaction in exothermic and may splash or volatilize some of the waste, so it's best to perform the neutralization in small steps.

Organic salts, such as acetates and oxalates can be pyrolyzed to carbonates and water vapors.

Recycling

Main article: Reagent recycling

Sometimes it is an option to purify waste products into chemicals that are pure enough to be used again. While this can sometimes be time consuming, it can often be more environmentally and economically friendly than discarding the waste in one manner or another is. Before discarding waste, think about what all it contains, and if there is some way that it could be used.

Down the drain vs. into the soil

The availability of these disposal methods varies depending on where you live. If you live in an apartment block, you only have the drain. If you live in a suburban house, you have both. If you live in some quaint rustic shithole like the author of this edit, you only have the "into the soil" option.

Generally, the soil option is safer, because there is no plumbing you should worry about, but some chemicals shouldn't be released into the soil, either. In general, your designated place for pouring chemicals into the soil should be far from any gardens, horticulture or any other agricultural objects. But chemicals marked as "Oh yes!" in the table are harmless and even useful in agriculture as fertilizers. These you can pour down in your garden.

Lists of various chemical compounds that can be safely released in the ground or down the drain can be found here, here or here.

Other

Heavy metal salts or solutions can be mixed with cement, and trapped in the resulted concrete block. The resulting block can also be covered in another layer of cement, to reduce the diffusion of the heavy metals. Unless the resulting concrete is damaged, broken and dissolved in acid, the heavy metal ions will not be released. However, this merely is a method to prevent the heavy metals from being released in the environment, and is not a permanent way of disposal.

Chemical disposal table

Substance Neutralization Heat treatment Down the drain Into the soil Environmental considerations
1,2-Dichloroethane
1,4-Dioxane
2-nitrotoluene
2,2,4-Trimethylpentane
2,4-Dinitrobromobenzene
Acetaldehyde
Acetic acid Bicarbonates, carbonates, bases, oxides Flammable (high concentrations), no dangerous combustion products Yes Yes Safe, biodegradable; avoid dumping large amounts, acidifies soil
Acetic anhydride Bicarbonates, carbonates, bases, oxides Flammable, no dangerous combustion products Yes Yes Biodegradable; avoid dumping large amounts, acidifies soil
Acetone Oxidation, reducing, photolysis Flammable, no dangerous combustion products Not advised Yes Biodegradable; not advised
Acetone peroxide Photolysis, detonation in safe area Explosive, not recommended Not advised Not advised Biodegradable; not advised
Acetonitrile
Acetylene Oxidation, photolysis Dangerously flammable Not possible Not possible Biodegradable
Acetylsalicylic acid Any base Not particularly helpful Yes Yes Biodegradable
Alpha-pinene
Aluminium chloride Treatment with water, precipitation with a base No effect; Water solutions however will give off hydrogen chloride vapors Not advised Yes
Aluminium nitrate
Aluminium sulfate Any alkaline hydroxide Releases sulfur oxides at high temperature Dilute it first; neutralization with a base first is recommended No Increases the aluminium concentration in soil and water, lowers pH
Aluminium sulfide Hydrogen peroxide, bleach No NO NO Releases hydrogen sulfide on contact with water, which is toxic to organisms
Ammonia Oxidation, neutralization with acids At high concentrations Not possible (gaseous), safe to pour (as solution) Not possible (gaseous), safe to pour (as solution) Biodegradable
Ammonium acetate Unnecessary -- Yes Yes Safe, biodegradable
Ammonium bicarbonate Pyrolysis, hydroxides, acids Decomposes on heating Yes Oh yes! Safe, good fertilizer (nitrogen source)
Ammonium nitrate Pyrolysis, Hydroxides, carbonates Emits nitrous oxide, may explode if the temperature is too high Yes Oh yes! Safe, good fertilizer (nitrogen source)
Anthocyanin
Asbestos
Ascorbic acid Unnecessary Yes Yes Safe, biodegradable
Barium ferrate
Barium manganate Sulfuric acid Not advised Yes
Basic lead chromate
Benzene Oxidation with Fenton's reagent Generates dangerous combustion products DO NOT DUMP No Avoid releasing in environment
Bis(ethylenediamine)copper(II) perchlorate Crystallize and ignite safely Detonates DO NOT DUMP No Copper kills aquatic life and plant roots
Bismuth trioxide Reduced to bismuth metal Will oxidize anything (yes, platinum too) when molten
Boric acid
Boron trioxide
Butane
Butanol
Butyl acetate
Caesium hydroxide
Calcium acetate Pyrolysis Decomposes to calcium carbonate and acetone at high temperature Yes Yes Biodegradable
Calcium carbide
Calcium carbonate
Calcium chloride
Calcium fluoride
Calcium gluconate
Calcium hydroxide
Calcium hypochlorite
Calcium nitrate
Calcium oxide Plenty of cold water, carbon dioxide, sodium/potassium bicarbonate No Do not dump Do not dump Burns grass on contact
Calcium perchlorate
Calcium sulfate
Carbon dioxide
Carbon disulfide
Carbon monoxide
Carbon tetrachloride Sodium hydroxide excess, Fenton's reagent Results in phosgene in the presence of air DO NOT DUMP DO NOT DUMP Toxic to wildlife, sinks at the bottom of water bodies
Carbonic acid
Charcoal Burning, dumping in ground Results in carbon dioxide and ash Do not dump Oh yes Unless it adsorbed dangerous volatile compounds or heavy metals, it can be used as a fertilizer
Chevreul's salt
Chloric acid
Chloroauric acid Reduction with a reducing agent, such as metabisulfite, sulfur dioxide Gives off hydrogen chloride gases and leaves gold powder behind DO NOT DUMP DO NOT DUMP Dangerous to wildlife; Best to try to recycle it
Chlorobutanol
Chloroform Destruction with aqueous sodium hydroxide, which can be aided by methanol or acetone; Oxidation with Fenton's reagent Boils to form vapor, should not be attempted indoors DO NOT DUMP DO NOT DUMP May cause ozone depletion, dangerous to aquatic life
Chromium(III) oxide
Chromium(III) sulfate
Citric acid
Cobalt(II) chloride
Cobalt (III) oxide
Copper(I) chloride
Copper(II) acetylsalicylate
Copper(II) carbonate
Copper(II) chloride Precipitate as carbonate or reduce to copper metal using aluminum Loses water, turns brown DO NOT DUMP Yes but far from any agricultural plants Kills aquatic life and plant roots
Copper(II) hydroxide
Copper(II) nitrate
Copper(II) oxide
Copper oxychloride
Copper(II) phosphate
Copper(II) sulfate
Copper chromite
Curcumin
Cyclohexane
Dichloromethane Destruction with aqueous sodium hydroxide, iron can also be used; Oxidation with Fenton's reagent Boils to form vapor; pyrolysis at high temperatures yielding chlorine, hydrochloric acid and carbon monoxide DO NOT DUMP No May cause ozone depletion, dangerous to aquatic life
Diethyl ether
Diisopropyl ether
Dimethyl sulfoxide
Dimethylformamide
Dipicolinic acid
Disulfur dichloride
Erythritol Not required Yields carbon oxides, water vapor Yes Yes Low toxicity
Ethane
Ethanol Not required Yields carbon oxides, water vapor Yes Not recommended Deadly to small animals on direct contact, dangerous to aquatic and soil life
Ethyl acetate Sodium hydroxide Combustion in the presence of air Do not dump Do not dump Toxic to aquatic life
Ethylene glycol
Ethylene glycol dinitrate
Ethylenediamine
Formaldehyde
Formic acid Sodium hydroxide Gives off carbon monoxide and water vapors DO NOT DUMP DO NOT DUMP Deadly to insects and aquatic life; reason why it's used to kill varroa
Glycerol
Hematein
Heptane
Hexamethylene triperoxide diamine Adding a mixture of zinc sulfate, copper(II) chloride with Zn and Cu powder in a 5:5:1 ratio to the peroxide solution, in the presence of small amounts of sulfuric acid Do not use heat, as it will lead to detonation DO NOT DUMP Debatable
Hexamine Burning in an oxygen atmosphere yields carbon oxides, water vapor, nitrogen; Pyrolysis generates formaldehyde, carbon oxides, ammonia and nitrogen fumes; at temperatures >800°C also yields hydrogen cyanide Yes Yes
Hexane
Holmium citrate
Hydrazine
Hydrazine sulfate
Hydrazoic acid Sodium nitrite or nitrous acid Will lead to detonation for concentrated solutions DO NOT DUMP DO NOT DUMP Dangerous to wildlife
Hydrobromic acid
Hydrochloric acid Any alkali or alkaline-earth carbonate, bicarbonate DON'T! Results in acidic vapors, extremely dangerous and corrosive NO! Neutralize first NO! Toxic to wildlife and corrosive to minerals
Hydrofluoric acid
Hydrogen chloride Any base, carbonate, bicarbonate; for gaseous form, ammonia can be used, though will result in a dense ammonium chloride mist No No Do not dump Corrosive for rocks, toxic for all wildlife
Hydrogen iodide
Hydrogen peroxide Manganese dioxide, iron(III) oxide Except for very concentrated solutions Not for concentrated solutions DO NOT DUMP Deadly for microbial life, extremely toxic for small animals
Hydrogen sulfide
Hydroiodic acid
Iron(II) sulfate
Iron(II,III) oxide
Iron(III) chloride Calcium hydroxide Gives off hydrogen chloride fumes DO NOT DUMP DO NOT DUMP Extremely toxic to wildlife
Iron(III) oxide
Iron(III) sulfate
Isobutanol
Isopropanol
Isopropyl nitrite
Lead(II) acetate Alkali carbonate or hydroxide; Lead precipitate should be taken to disposal facilities Results in lead oxides; Yields carbon oxides, water vapors DO NOT DUMP! DO NOT DUMP!
Lead(II) chromate
Lead(II) nitrate
Lead(II) oxide
Lead(II,IV) oxide
Lead(IV) acetate
Limonene
Lithium aluminium hydride
Lithium chloride
Lithium hydroxide
Magnesium chloride Not required Hydrated form gives the oxychloride salt Yes Yes May increase the magnesium and chloride content in the soil significantly
Magnesium sulfate
Manganese dioxide
Manganese heptoxide
Methane
Methanol
Methyl ethyl ketone
Methyl formate
Methyl nitrate Alkali solution, recommended to be cooled Will lead to explosion No No Dangerous to wildlife
Methyl salicylate
Methyl tert-butyl ether
Mineral oil Will burn at high temperatures, releasing carbon oxides, water vapors and soot No No Oils float on water bodies and inhibit the cellular breathing of many organisms
Naphthalene
Neodymium oxalate
Nicotine
Nitric acid
Nitrocellulose
Nitrogen dioxide Bubbling through an alkali solution, peroxide solution Not useful Not possible No Will react with atmospheric moisture to generate nitric acid and contributes to the acid rain; extremely toxic to animals and plants
Nitrogen trichloride
Nitrogen triiodide Sodium thiosulfate Leads to detonation DO NOT DUMP DO NOT DUMP
Nitroglycerin
Nitromethane
Nitrous oxide
Octyl acetate
Oxalic acid Calcium oxide, hydroxide, carbonate Releases carbon oxides and water vapor at high temperature Yes No Toxic to wildlife
Ozone Any compound easily oxidizable that does not ignite, such as carbon monoxide, activated charcoal Aceelerates the decomposition of ozone, but not enough Not possible No Dangerous to wildlife, may oxidize various gaseous compounds, contributing to the acid rain
Pentaerythritol
Pentane Burning Flammable, releases carbon oxides, water vapor when burned in air NO NO Dangerous to wildlife
Perchloric acid
Permanganic acid Hydrogen peroxide Leads to decomposition Do not dump Do not dump The resulting manganese dioxide from the decomposition can be toxic if ingested by animals
Peroxymonosulfuric acid
Petroleum ether
Phenol
Phosgene Alkaline metal hydroxide, ammonia No DO NOT DUMP DO NOT DUMP Extremely toxic for all organisms
Phosphoric acid Any metal oxide, hydroxide, carbonate Not very useful Yes, if it's diluted Neutralize it first, good source of phosphorus, unless contaminated Deadly to small animals; excess in water bodies may cause algal bloom
Phosphorus pentoxide‎‎ Alkaline solution, lots of water Will volatilize at very high temperatures No, reaction with water is highly exothermic and may generate acidic steam Neutralize first Corrosive and dangerous on direct contact with wilflife; Reaction with water will lead to phosphoric acid, highly corrosive and dangerous.
Picric acid
Polytetrafluoroethylene Not required; Can simply be dumped in trash Generates toxic fluorine, hydrogen fluoride, fluorocarbons and carbon oxide vapors DO NOT DUMP DO NOT DUMP Resistent to most corrosive chemicals, cannot be digested by wildlife
Potassium antimony tartrate
Potassium bromide
Potassium carbonate Any acid will do No Yes OH YES Excess may increase the soil level of potassium in the dumping area
Potassium chlorate
Potassium chloride
Potassium dichromate
Potassium ferrate Any acid, hot water Breaks down to iron(III) oxide and potassium hydroxide, best in the presence of moisture Yes, but recommended to neutralize first Yes, but recommended to neutralize first Dangerous to wildlife in short term
Potassium hydroxide Any acid, carbon dioxide Not useful Yes Neutralize first; neutralized is a good source of potassium for plants Dangerous to wildlife in short term
Potassium iodide
Potassium manganate
Potassium metabisulfite
Potassium nitrate Not required Gives off nitrogen oxides at very high temperatures; burns in presence of organic compounds, releasing carbon oxides, nitrogen and leaving behind alkaline slag Yes OH YES Excellent fertilizer, though may lead to uncontrolled algae growth if dumped in water bodies
Potassium perchlorate
Potassium permanganate Hydrogen peroxide Decomposes to manganese dioxide at high temperatures DO NOT DUMP DO NOT DUMP The resulting manganese dioxide from the decomposition can be toxic if ingested by animals
Potassium peroxymonosulfate Alkaline solution, sodium carbonate Decomposes, releasing oxygen Recommended be neutralized first Must be neutralized first Dangerous to the environment in short term
Potassium sulfate
Propane
Propylene carbonate
Propylene glycol Not required Generates carbon oxides and water vapor, as well as other toxic pyrolysis compounds Yes Yes Little toxic effect on aquatic wildlife
Prussian blue
Pyranine
Pyridine
Rosocyanine
Safrole
Salicylic acid
Schweizer's reagent
Silicon dioxide Not required At high temperatures results in melting; Can be used to indurate crystalline silica Not recommended, may clog the plumbing Yes Finely divided silica is dangerous for fauna
Silver nitrate
Sodium acetate
Sodium acetylsalicylate
Sodium azide Sodium nitrite, nitrous acid Breaks down in sodium metal and nitrogen gas DO NOT DUMP DO NOT DUMP Very toxic for wildlife
Sodium benzoate
Sodium bicarbonate
Sodium bisulfate Any base, carbonate, bicarbonate No Yes Do not dump Decreases the soil pH
Sodium carbonate
Sodium chloride Not required Not useful Yes No Toxic to plants due to sodium ions
Sodium ferrate Diluted organic solutions will reduce it to its constituent oxides Breaks down to its constituent oxides, both dry and as solution Yes Not recommended due to its sodium content Dangerous to organisms due to its strong oxidizing properties
Sodium hydroxide Any acid, carbon dioxide Not useful Yes Do not dump Dangerous to wildlife in short term; toxic to plants due to sodium ions
Sodium hypochlorite
Sodium metabisulfite
Sodium nitrate
Sodium perchlorate
Sodium peroxide
Sodium silicate Any acid Not useful Not recommended Only in places without plant or animal life (construction sites, quarries, etc.) Sodium ions are toxic to plant roots
Sodium sulfate
Sodium thiosulfate Bleach No Yes Yes Breaks down rapidly in the environment due to air and microorganisms, yielding sulfides and sulfates.
Sorbitol Not needed Releases carbon dioxide and water vapor Yes Yes None
Strontium carbonate
Strontium oxide
Sucrose Not always required Turns into caramel if gently heated and soot at high temperatures Yes Yes Source of food for many small animals
Sulfur dichloride
Sulfur dioxide
Sulfur trioxide
Sulfur hexafluoride Not required May lead to sulfur dioxides and fluorine at very high temperatures Not possible Yes Strong greenhouse effect
Sulfuric acid
Terbium(III) oxide Unnecessary, simply dump in trash Releases absorbed water or carbon dioxide Unnecessary Effects unknown, may stimulate plant growth
Terbium sulfate
Tetraamine copper(II) complex
Tetraaminecopper(II) persulphate
Tetrachlorocupric acid
Tetrahydrofuran
Tin(IV) chloride
Titanium dioxide Not required; Can be dumped in trash Leads to fusing in the presence of alkaline and alkaline-earth oxides and hydroxides Yes, but not recommended Yes, but recommended May lead to staining water bodies and soil in a white color
Toluene
Trichloroethylene
Trichloroisocyanuric acid
Trimethyl borate
Tris(ethylenediamine)nickel perchlorate
Tungsten carbide
Urea Not required Generates carbon oxides, nitrogen fumes; May corrode metal container, if done in one Yes OH YES May cause uncontrolled algae growth in water bodies
Vanadium pentoxide
Water Not required Leads to steam YES YES It's...water
Xylene
Xylitol Not required Melts when heated; not useful Yes Yes Cannot be digested by most lifeforms
Zinc carbonate
Zinc chloride
Zinc chromate
Zinc oxide Not required; Weak acids can be used to dissolve zinc oxide stains to soluble zinc compounds Turns the oxide yellow at high temperatures; process is reversible Not recommended Yes, but not recommended May pose a threat to aquatic life
Zinc peroxide
Zinc phosphate Not required Not useful No Yes Source of zinc and phosphorus for wildlife
Zinc sulfate
Zinc sulfide

References

  1. http://woelen.homescience.net/science/chem/exps/rules.html

Relevant Sciencemadness threads