Characterization - Further Testing

It might be necessary to further test bulked materials in order to properly identify the makeup of the waste. The best way to do so is through an onsite lab. This allows for the quickest testing, which decreases the time between waste testing and waste cleanup or storage. It also helps decrease potential issues from transport, such as spilling the samples and determining the proper packaging for sample transport.

If samples must be tested offsite, samples must be packaged onsite and must follow DOT regulations from 49 CFR for shipment to the laboratory.

When possible, materials should be characterized using an onsite laboratory. This provides data as rapidly as possible and minimizes the time lag before appropriate action can be taken to handle any hazardous materials. Also, it precludes any potential problems associated with transporting samples to an offsite laboratory (such as sample packaging, waste incompatibility, fume generation). If samples must be analyzed offsite, samples should be packaged onsite in accordance with DOT regulations (49 CFR) and shipped to the laboratory for analysis.

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