Can quenching be used to react substances prior to disposal?
Quenching various reactive chemicals to rendering them less or non-hazardous for the sole purpose of disposal is considered RCRA treatment and prohibited. Quenching, for the purposes of rendering equipment, lab instruments and other devices used in research, clean and safe for use is acceptable and not a RCRA issue. If quenching is necessary to a lab protocol and is documented in the protocol, it would generally be considered part of the experimental process and not subject to RCRA.
