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WASTE MINIMIZATION OPPORTUNITY ASSESSMENT: OPTICAL FABRICATION LABORATORY - FITZSIMMONS ARMY MEDICAL CENTER
Citation:
Drabkin, M. AND E. Rissman. WASTE MINIMIZATION OPPORTUNITY ASSESSMENT: OPTICAL FABRICATION LABORATORY - FITZSIMMONS ARMY MEDICAL CENTER. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/2-91/031 (NTIS 91-235887), 1991.
Description:
Under the Waste Reduction Evaluations at Federal Sites (WREAFS) program, RREL has taken the initiative to merge the experience and resources of the EPA with other Federal agencies. At the Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center (FAMC) in Aurora, Colorado, the Army and the EPA cooperated in an assessment of the Optical Lens Fabrication Laboratory (OFL). The OFL is responsible for producing optical lenses, specticals, and special optical products for the services. Processes include both glass and plastic lens fabrication. The assessment at OFL was concerned with two RCRA hazardous wastes, first, the residual lead-bearing glass lens blocking alloy and alkaline washwater from lens deblocking/cleaning operations and, second, the nonhazardous ground glass from lens grinding operations. Three options were identified: Filtration of the alkaline washwater from glass lens deblocking/washing operations to recover and recycle residual lead-bearing blocking alloy particulates. Potentially 500 lb./yr. of the alloy is reclaimable. Substitution of Lead-free glass lens blocking alloy for the lead-bearing material presently used. Offsite recycling of the nonhazardous fine glass particulate waste generated in the lens grinding operation and currently disposed of in a sanitary landfill.