Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Destroying Chlorpyriphos

sceptic - 4-1-2024 at 05:21

I have about 5 litres of an old 20% solution of chlorpyriphos which I want to get rid of. Given how poisonous it is, I think I'll need to destroy it chemically before I can dispose of it. There is no hazardous waste centre near here that I know of, and even if I tried to find one farther away, I doubt that they would take anything from a private citizen. I'm thinking of using some Fenton's reagent, although that much hydrogen peroxide would be a bit expensive. I also considered electrochemical oxidation, but I don't want to have the cathode bubbling and releasing a mist of chlorpyriphos solution. I could make a contained electrolysis cell, but that would probably be more trouble than buying the hydrogen peroxide. Does anyone else have any ideas?

Sulaiman - 4-1-2024 at 06:11

Ideas but no knowledge!

Decomposes (to what?) at its bp of 160oC

Flammable

Incompatible with strong acids and caustics.

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0137.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorpyrifos

unionised - 4-1-2024 at 06:27

How quickly is it hydrolysed in alkaline conditions?
I have seen reports of a half life of 16 days in alkaline solution (pH 9).

But the real question is "How will you know you have destroyed it?".
If you can't answer that, you aren't in a position to do anything.


[Edited on 4-1-24 by unionised]

Rainwater - 4-1-2024 at 13:21

Its got carbon. Fire
Big propane burner, very small bowl. Steady drip rate.

https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ToxProfiles/tp84-c4.pdf
Quote:

4.4 DISPOSAL
The recommended treatment and disposal methods for chlorpyrifos are incineration, adsorption, and landfilling
(IRPTC 1989). For small amounts, the recommended disposal is adsorption onto materials such as sand and burying
in locations away from domestic water supplies. For the decontamination of containers, the triple rinse and drain
procedure is recommended. The use of a caustic soda-methanol or caustic soda-detergent rinse solution is also
effective in decontaminating the container, but the rinse solutions must be disposed of either by incineration or burial
in an area away from water supplies (IRPTC 1989).