HAZMAT Services

DOT Transportation Compliance Prevents Catastrophic Liability

DOT 49 CFR Part 172 (Hazardous Materials Table and Communications) requires specific training, packaging, labeling, placarding, and documentation for hazardous material transportation. Violations cause transportation accidents from improper packaging or incompatible materials mixing, significant civil penalties and potential criminal liability under DOT hazmat regulations, criminal prosecution for willful violations causing injuries or deaths, and carrier refusal to transport improperly packaged materials.

Professional HAZMAT contractors employ DOT-certified drivers who complete required hazmat endorsement training every 3 years per 49 CFR Part 172 Subpart H, use UN-approved packaging meeting drop, stack, and leak testing standards, apply proper hazard class labels and placarding, and prepare shipping papers listing UN numbers, proper shipping names, hazard classes, and emergency contact information. This expertise prevents transportation incidents and regulatory violations.

Chemical Identification Prevents Dangerous Reactions

Unknown or unlabeled chemicals require laboratory analysis before handling, packaging, or disposal. Mixing incompatible materials causes violent reactions including acids + bases creating exothermic reactions, heat generation, and splattering, oxidizers + flammables causing fires, explosions, and intense combustion, water-reactives + moisture producing violent reactions and hydrogen gas explosions (sodium, potassium), and cyanides + acids releasing hydrogen cyanide gas with fatal toxicity.

Professional HAZMAT contractors perform field testing (pH strips, flammability screening) and comprehensive laboratory analysis (TCLP, ignitability, reactivity, corrosivity) identifying materials before packaging. Proper segregation prevents catastrophic mixing incidents.

Radioactive Material Handling Requires NRC Licensing

Radioactive waste disposal is regulated by NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) under 10 CFR Parts 20, 61, 71 and requires specialized licenses, training, and facilities. Low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) from medical, research, and industrial sources requires Class A, B, or C classification determining disposal requirements.

Professional HAZMAT contractors work under appropriate NRC or Agreement State licenses and authorizations, depending on jurisdiction and material type. They employ radiation safety officers, use proper shielding and containment, and maintain disposal site authorizations. Unlicensed handling violates federal law with criminal penalties.

Complete Documentation Protects Against Future Liability

EPA's "cradle-to-grave" tracking under RCRA (40 CFR Parts 260-279) means generators retain responsibility for proper hazardous waste management and documentation, and liability may persist if waste is mishandled. Without proper manifests and disposal certificates, you face liability if waste is mishandled or illegally disposed by contractors.

Professional HAZMAT services provide EPA manifests tracking waste from generation to final disposal, waste profiles documenting chemical composition and hazard characteristics, certificates of disposal from permitted TSDFs, and analytical laboratory reports proving proper waste classification. This documentation protects you during EPA inspections, third-party audits, and property transactions requiring environmental due diligence.

Corrosive Materials

Acids (sulfuric, hydrochloric, nitric, phosphoric) and bases (sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, ammonia) with pH below 2 or above 12.5. Corrode skin, metal, and equipment. Require acid-resistant packaging and segregation. EPA waste code D002. Used in metal processing, cleaning, pH adjustment, and chemical manufacturing.



Flammable Liquids and Gases

Solvents, fuels, and chemicals with flash points below 140°F including acetone, toluene, xylene, methanol, gasoline, diesel, paint thinners, and alcohols. Also compressed flammable gases (propane, acetylene, hydrogen). Require grounded containers, explosion-proof equipment, and no ignition sources. EPA waste code D001. DOT Class 3 (flammable liquids) and Class 2.1 (flammable gases). Common in manufacturing, automotive, printing, and laboratories.

Reactive and Explosive Materials

Water-reactive materials (sodium, potassium, calcium carbide), oxidizers (peroxides, permanganates, nitrates), organic peroxides, and explosive compounds. Can spontaneously combust, explode, or release toxic gases. Require specialized packaging, temperature control, and immediate disposal. EPA waste code D003. DOT Class 4 (flammable solids/water-reactives), Class 5 (oxidizers). Found in laboratories, manufacturing, and outdated chemical inventories.

Toxic Chemicals

Pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, cyanides, heavy metals (mercury, lead, cadmium, chromium, arsenic), and carcinogenic compounds. Cause poisoning, organ damage, or cancer from inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. Require TCLP testing (EPA Method 1311) to determine toxicity characteristic. EPA waste codes D004-D043 (specific toxics). Used in agriculture, pest control, metal finishing, and electronics manufacturing.

PCB-Contaminated Materials

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from transformers, capacitors, fluorescent light ballasts, and hydraulic fluids. Regulated under TSCA 40 CFR Part 761 requiring disposal at EPA-approved high-temperature incinerators. Concentrations above 50 ppm require special handling. PCB spills may require cleanup and notification depending on concentration, quantity, and location under TSCA requirements. Found in older electrical equipment and building materials.

Lead-Based Paint

Paint containing lead (common in structures built before 1978) creating dust during demolition or renovation. Regulated under EPA RRP Rule 40 CFR Part 745 requiring certified renovators and containment. Lead paint waste may require toxicity testing and hazardous waste management depending on TCLP results and state rules. Exposure causes neurological damage especially in children. Found on structural steel, equipment, and building surfaces.

Radioactive waste requires specialized handling under NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) regulations 10 CFR Parts 20, 61, 71. Licensed radioactive material transportation and disposal provided for medical, research, and industrial low-level radioactive waste streams accepted by licensed facilities.

Low-Level Radioactive Waste (LLRW)

Class A, B, and C radioactive waste from medical treatments, research laboratories, and industrial processes. Includes contaminated PPE, glassware, filters, and process materials. Disposal at NRC-licensed facilities (10 CFR Part 61) requires waste classification based on radionuclide content and half-life.

Most common radioactive waste stream accounting for 90% of volume but only 1% of radioactivity. Requires radiation surveys, proper shielding during transport, and DOT Class 7 placarding per 49 CFR Part 172.403.

Radioactive Contaminated Materials

Equipment, soil, building materials, and surfaces contaminated with radioactive materials. Requires radiation surveys per 10 CFR Part 20.1501 to determine contamination levels and proper disposal classification. Decontamination may reduce waste volume and disposal costs.

Common sources: Medical equipment (gamma knives, brachytherapy devices), industrial gauges and sensors, research equipment, demolition debris from nuclear facilities. Disposal determined by contamination level and radionuclide type.

Note: High-level radioactive waste and transuranic waste are managed exclusively by federal programs and are not part of commercial HAZMAT disposal services.

Laboratory services provided through appropriately certified and state-recognized laboratories offering comprehensive chemical testing for waste characterization, environmental compliance, and product quality control. Accurate analysis ensures proper waste classification, regulatory compliance, and safe disposal.

TCLP Testing (Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure)

EPA Method 1311 determining if waste exhibits toxicity characteristic requiring hazardous waste disposal. Simulates landfill leaching conditions measuring heavy metals (arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, selenium, silver) and organic compounds.

Results determine if waste exceeds 40 CFR Part 261.24 regulatory limits requiring RCRA manifesting and disposal at permitted TSDF. Essential for waste profiling and disposal facility approval. Turnaround typically 5-10 business days.

pH Testing and Corrosivity Analysis

Measuring acidity or alkalinity to determine corrosive waste classification under EPA standards. Materials with pH ≤2 or ≥12.5 are hazardous corrosive waste (D002) requiring special packaging and disposal.

Field pH screening provides immediate results. Laboratory pH analysis confirms regulatory classification. Critical for acids, bases, industrial cleaners, and chemical process waste. Results determine packaging requirements and disposal methods.

Ignitability and Flammability Testing

Flash point testing determining if waste is ignitable hazardous waste (D001) with flash point below 140°F (60°C). Identifies flammable liquids requiring DOT Class 3 packaging and placarding.

Prevents transportation fires and explosions. Testing methods include Pensky-Martens closed cup and Setaflash procedures. Required for solvents, paint waste, thinners, alcohols, and petroleum products. Results determine DOT shipping classifications and storage requirements.

Waste Identification and Classification

Comprehensive analysis identifying unknown chemicals and determining proper EPA waste codes. Combines visual observation, physical testing (density, viscosity), chemical analysis (GC/MS, ICP), and hazard screening.

Provides complete waste profiles required by TSDFs for disposal approval. Essential for abandoned drums, unlabeled containers, and legacy chemical inventories. Results include EPA waste codes, DOT shipping classifications, and disposal recommendations.

Environmental Compliance Testing

Analytical services supporting regulatory compliance including wastewater discharge monitoring for NPDES permits, air emissions testing for VOCs and HAPs, soil contamination assessment for remediation projects, and groundwater monitoring well sampling.

Ensures businesses meet EPA, state, and local environmental regulations. Laboratory reports provide legally defensible data for regulatory submittals and permit renewals.

Manufacturing & Chemical Processing

Typical HAZMAT: Solvents, acids, bases, heavy metals, reactive chemicals; process residues, tank bottoms, off-spec products; corrosive equipment, contaminated packaging; spent catalysts containing metals.

Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology

Typical HAZMAT: Active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), solvents (methanol, acetone), heavy metals (platinum catalysts), biological waste; expired pharmaceuticals, formulation failures; DEA-controlled substances requiring documentation.

Research Laboratories & Universities

Typical HAZMAT: Unknown chemicals from decades of research, expired reagents, radioactive isotopes; acids, bases, solvents; carcinogens (benzene, formaldehyde); shock-sensitive peroxides; mercury thermometers and equipment.

Healthcare & Medical Facilities

Typical HAZMAT: Radioactive materials from nuclear medicine (technetium-99m, iodine-131), chemotherapy drugs, mercury devices; pharmaceutical waste; formaldehyde, xylene from pathology labs; lead aprons and shielding.

Automotive & Aerospace

Typical HAZMAT: Paint sludge, solvents, degreasers; hydraulic fluids, fuel, used oil; brake fluid, antifreeze; lead-acid batteries; corrosive cleaning agents; PCB-containing transformers.

Electronics Manufacturing

Typical HAZMAT: Heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury) from circuit boards; solvents (isopropyl alcohol, acetone); etching acids; plating solutions containing chromium, nickel; e-waste with hazardous components.

Power Generation & Utilities

Typical HAZMAT: PCB transformers and capacitors, radioactive gauges and sources; fuel oil, diesel; corrosion inhibitors; wastewater treatment chemicals; coal ash containing heavy metals; lead-based paint on structures.

Construction & Demolition

Typical HAZMAT: Asbestos-containing materials (insulation, floor tiles, roofing); lead-based paint; PCB caulk and ballasts; mercury switches; petroleum-contaminated soil; unknown drums discovered during demolition.

Chemical spills, transportation accidents, unknown material discoveries, or facility emergencies require immediate HAZMAT containment to prevent worker exposure and environmental releases. If you're facing urgent HAZMAT incidents—spills, leaks, unknown chemical discoveries, or transportation accidents—our 24/7 HAZWOPER-trained emergency crews mobilize nationwide with containment equipment, air monitoring, and emergency packaging.

24/7 Emergency Hotline: 800-727-9796 for immediate HAZMAT response.

Learn More: Emergency Services ➞

Service-Driven: DOT-Certified Transportation & NRC Licensing

All drivers hold current commercial driver's licenses with hazardous materials endorsements (49 CFR Part 172 Subpart H) requiring training every 3 years. Fleet uses DOT-approved packaging, proper placarding, and emergency response equipment. Shipping papers include UN numbers, proper shipping names, hazard classes, and 24-hour emergency contacts. Work performed under appropriate NRC or Agreement State licenses and authorizations for radioactive material transportation. Radiation safety program includes certified radiation safety officers, dosimetry monitoring, proper shielding, and disposal site authorizations at NRC-licensed facilities. This expertise ensures safe transportation and regulatory compliance preventing DOT violations and enforcement actions.

Client-Focused: Laboratory Services & Rapid Turnaround

Second-generation family-owned business with 30+ years in industrial services. Laboratory services provided through appropriately certified and state-recognized laboratories for waste characterization and compliance testing. TCLP, pH, ignitability, reactivity, and metals analysis performed using EPA-approved methods. Fast turnaround times (typically 5-10 business days) prevent project delays. Laboratory reports provide legally defensible data satisfying TSDF waste acceptance requirements and regulatory agency submittals. Real people answer phones 7 AM-5 PM weekdays—no automated systems.

Guaranteed Compliance: Extensive HAZMAT Expertise

Extensive experience handling complex HAZMAT projects including unknown chemical identification and disposal, radioactive waste from medical and research facilities, plant decommissioning with PCB and asbestos removal, emergency response for chemical spills and releases, and analytical testing for waste characterization. HAZWOPER-trained specialists safely manage materials other contractors refuse. Complete documentation including manifests, lab reports, and disposal certificates protects you from future liability and satisfies regulatory requirements. $21 million pollution liability insurance protects operations. 25+ years of experience supporting compliant hazardous material management.