|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Pureflowsm Recovery Service |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pureflowsm Recovery Service
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Q. |
Why do Pureflowsm silver recovery columns work so much better than conventional metallic replacement columns? |
[back ^] |
|
|
| A. |
The patented improvements in Pureflowsm columns keep the surface of the steel wool clean and highly reactive, maximizing the efficiency of the metallic replacement. This means that more silver is able to react with the steel wool in the column, which reduces the silver concentration in the discharge dramatically.
Pureflowsm columns last 2-4 times longer and can hold 2-4 times more silver than conventional columns containing the same amount of steel wool because the metallic replacement reaction is much more efficient in Pureflowsm columns. The steel wool surface in Pureflowsm columns stays active and is available to react with silver much longer than in conventional columns.
Pureflowsm columns are developer tolerant because the patented ingredient in them prevents the iron hydroxide corrosion products produced by the action of the developer on the steel wool from deactivating the surface of the steel wool.
The performance of Pureflowsm columns is much more predictable than conventional columns primarily because silver in Pureflowsm columns is precipitated prior to reacting with the steel wool, and the iron reaction products are precipitated after the reaction with silver occurs. These precipitates plug any channels that would ordinarily form in the steel wool as the column is used, keeping photo chemical solutions from by-passing the steel wool without reacting with it. Channeling and by-pass are the primary reasons why the performance of conventional columns is unpredictable.
Pureflow columns prevent drain clogging primarily because more of the iron is retained in the columns, and more of the iron that is discharged reacts with the EDTA in the photo chemical solutions, forming iron EDTA, than in the discharge from Pureflowsm columns. Iron EDTA will not precipitate as ferric hydroxide in drains. |
|
|
|
| Q. |
Since Pureflowsm columns contain thiram, which is an EPA registered pesticide, are these columns regulated under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)? |
[back ^] |
|
|
| A. |
No. FIFRA regulates only compounds which are used as pesticides, fungicides, etc. The same compounds are not regulated by FIFRA when they are used in products or applications which are not pesticides, fungicides, or other products which are outside the scope of FIFRA. Since Pureflowsm columns are used to recover silver from waste photochemical solutions, FIFRA does not apply to Pureflowsm columns in any way.
Furthermore, the risks cited by the EPA Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances in their recent Risk Assessment documents are not associated with thiram in Pureflowsm columns because thiram in pesticides is applied directly into the environment, in relatively large quantities. Pesticides are applied directly to crops, turf, etc. Food crops can therefore contain residues from the pesticides, even if it is washed. The pesticides can also drain, or be washed by rainfall, directly into lakes and streams, without treatment, where they can injure or kill aquatic organisms.
When used in Pureflowsm columns, thiram stays in the column. Thiram has not been detected in the discharge from Pureflowsm columns at a detection limit of 0.5 parts per billion. The discharge is treated at a POTW before entering any stream, so aquatic organisms are not threatened. |
|
|
|
| Q. |
How can a material that is used as a pesticide be suitable to use in a silver recovery column? |
[back ^] |
|
|
| A. |
There are many materials that are used as pesticides which have other uses, even foods. The following are some examples of chemicals that are all EPA registered pesticides (see http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/biopesticides/product_lists/bppd-prods-5-12-04.pdf) that are also used in non-pesticide applications:
-
Photo chemical constituents:
- Silver Nitrate
- Sodium Silver Thiosulfate
- Sodium Bisulfate
- Acetic Acid
-
Foods
- Canola Oil
- Soybean Oil
- Black Pepper Oil
- Mint Oil
- Wintergreen Oil
- Orange Oil
- Garlic Oil
- Red Pepper
- Thyme Oil
-
Atmospheric Components
- Carbon Dioxide
- Nitrogen (Liquid)
In addition to its use in Pureflowsm columns, thiram is also a pharmaceutical (Antabuse) for the treatment of alcoholics, and it is used as an accelerator in the manufacture of rubber products (with human food contact approval), and a number of others.
|
|
|
|
| Q. |
Could the thiram in Pureflowsm columns be harmful to my employees? |
[back ^] |
|
|
| A. |
No. Since thiram in Pureflowsm columns is inside an inner container inside the column, and no thiram is detectable in the discharge, photo processing workers are not exposed to thiram for Pureflowsm columns during normal use. The acute toxicity of thiram is lower than that of either acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol™) or aspirin. Thiram is also used in the pharmaceutical Antabuse, which is used to treat alcoholics, and thiram is approved for use in rubber products with human food contact approval. The OSHA Health Guidelines website ( http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/healthguidelines/thiram/recognition.html) reports that human volunteers given thiram doses of 0.5 grams/day (500 milligrams per day) for several weeks showed no adverse effects (IARC 1976, Vol.12, p 231). |
|
|
|
| Q. |
What happens if a Pureflowsm columns ruptures in my store? |
[back ^] |
|
|
| A. |
In over 3 years of use, and over 2000 installations, we have never had a Pureflowsm column rupture, either before or during use. In the very unlikely event that this should occur in the future, it is unlikely that any thiram would be released, because it is held in an inner container within the Column. If some should spill, it should be cleaned up using a wet cloth by store personnel wearing rubber gloves and safety glasses, the same precautions that should be taken in cleaning up a spill of photochemical solution. The only additional recommended precaution is to avoid the generation of dust during any clean-up. |
|
|
|
| Q. |
Will thiram, if any, in the discharge from Pureflowsm columns threaten or harm the receiving POTW, or aquatic organisms in the receiving stream, in any way, and do I need to notify the POTW receiving my discharge before I switch to Pureflowsm columns? |
[back ^] |
|
|
| A. |
The thiram in these columns is inside an inner container within the column. Both ECS and The Photo Marketing Association’s Office of Regulatory Affairs have each commissioned analyses for thiram in the discharge from Pureflowsm columns in commercial use. The results of both analyses were the same; thiram was not detectable at a detection limit of 25 parts per billion in the discharge.
A typical 1-hour photo processing installation discharges approximately 1 gallon per hour over a 12 hour day. Even if thiram were present at the detection limit of 0.5 parts per billion, this would mean that only 0.023 milligrams (0.00000005 Lb per day) of thiram would be discharged.
The discharge from Pureflowsm columns flows into a sewer system leading to a Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) where it is treated in an aerobic biological treatment process. At 0.023 milligrams per day, thiram in the discharge from Pureflowsm columns would be easily treatable by this process. This minute quantity of thiram would not be sufficient to inhibit, interfere with or pass through the POTW without considering the effect of dilution from other wastewaters in the sewer system. Even the smallest POTW’s treat about 1 million gallons per day, so the typical concentration of thiram in the headwaters of a POTW would be less than <0.000006 parts per billion, far too low to represent any potential problem to the POTW or to aquatic organisms in the receiving stream after treatment.
Notification of a change to Pureflowsm columns is not required under the Clean Water Act, because any minute traces of thiram in the discharge from Pureflowsm columns would not cause any harm to or pose any threat to the receiving POTW. Even the EPA Model Pretreatment Ordinance that POTW’s may adopt should not require Pureflowsm customers to notify their POTW when they switch to Pureflowsm columns. Some local jurisdictions, however, may have ordinances or permit requirements that, because of particular local conditions, might require notification. |
|
|
|
| Q. |
Are there any special DOT requirement for shipping Pureflowsm columns? |
[back ^] |
|
|
| A. |
No. Thiram is not listed on Table 101 of the DOT regulations, and Pureflowsm columns are not a “hazardous material” because they contain less than the reportable quantity of thiram. Therefore no DOT notification, labeling, or hazardous material documentation is required. |
|
|
|
| Q. |
Does the use of Pureflowsm columns require that I implement a Hazards Communication Program at my store? |
[back ^] |
|
|
| A. |
No. The use of Pureflowsm columns does not, in and of itself, trigger a requirement for a Hazards Communication Program under OSHA regulations, because thiram is sealed inside the columns. Pureflowsm users are only required to have a copy of the Pureflowsm MSDS available where the columns are used or stored, and make it available in the event a column is ruptured and thiram is spilled and a n employee is exposed.
However, most 1-hour photo processing installations will be required to implement this program this program because of the photo chemicals they use. If a Pureflowsm column user has implemented a Hazards Communication Program, We recommend that they include the Pureflowsm MSDS in their Hazards Communication training program. |
|
|
|
| Q. |
Can I get more detailed regulatory information about the use of Pureflowsm Columns? |
[back ^] |
|
|
| A. |
Yes. Click here to review a more detailed analysis of environmental laws and regulations as they relate to the use of Pureflowsm columns. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
![Please Contact Us... [https://ecsrefining.com]](/share_images/icons/email_letter.gif){kind=icon}
![Please Contact Us... [https://ecsrefining.com]](/share_images/icons/postal.gif){kind=icon}