Disposing of used Pyro

Among other uses, pyrogallol is used commercially in gas analysis. I wonder what these users do with the oxidized pyro.

Pat, here's what JT Baker/Mallikrodt say:

Remove all sources of ignition. Ventilate area of leak or spill. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment as specified in Section 8. Spills: Clean up spills in a manner that does not disperse dust into the air. Use non-sparking tools and equipment. Reduce airborne dust and prevent scattering by moistening with water. Pick up spill for recovery or disposal and place in a closed container.

Disposal Considerations
Whatever cannot be saved for recovery or recycling should be managed in an appropriate and approved waste disposal facility. Processing, use or contamination of this product may change the waste management options. State and local disposal regulations may differ from federal disposal regulations. Dispose of container and unused contents in accordance with federal, state and local requirements.


http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/p7973.htm


For cleaning up chemical spills, this is what we use:

http://www.hazmatpac.com/page54.html

"HAZMATPAC's Universal Yellow absorbent material is ideal for most chemical spills. Manufactured from polypropylene with surfactant, the universal yellow is the chemist's choice for an all purpose absorbent."

Apart from apparently breaking down more quickly, would pyrogallol be much different to the other two developing agents that are very similar in molecular structure, pyrocatechol and hydroquinone? The latter, of course, is used in very much bigger quantities.

john_s said:

Apart from apparently breaking down more quickly, would pyrogallol be much different to the other two developing agents that are very similar in molecular structure, pyrocatechol and hydroquinone? The latter, of course, is used in very much bigger quantities.

Click to expand...

hydroquinone seems likely to be potentially the most toxic of the three (pyrogallol, pyrocatechol and hydroquinone).