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Fats, Oil and Grease - Hazardous Materials
Fats, Oil, and Grease (FOG) is comprised of vegetable oils and/or animal fats. Grease is a common term applied to both substances. FOG stems from a wide range of sources with restaurants and foodservice preparation in general being primary. FOG is a natural consequence of cooking many foods. Meats in particular contain fat, oil, and grease. Recipes for breads, salads, and deserts may contain FOG and oil is an absolute requirement of the deep-fat frying process.

FOG is a problem because when it enters the sanitary sewer system, it tends to stick to the walls of sewer pipes. FOG posses a natural stickiness that leads to the formation of a grease layer. That layer continues to grow and often attracts other foreign materials, which reduce the diameter of the sewer pipe. The outcome is generally an incident of sewer line back up or a Sanitary Sewer Spill with sewage escaping from a grease inceptor and contaminating the adjacent area.

Commercial Establishments: to include restaurants, snack bars, food preparation facilities, hospitals, cafeterias, bakeries, laundromats, service stations, photo processing establishment, and similar facilities are required to have grease interceptors that inhibit the flow of Fats, Oil and Grease into the sewer system.

FOG can be contained or severely reduced with the use of a grease interceptor that is properly sized, correctly installed and appropriately maintained. Such inceptors are mandatory. Please call your Industrial Pretreatment Technician (822-2272) for assistance in determining the appropriate inceptor size for your business or for an evaluation of your existing system. Discharge permits are obtained through the City Building Department.

You can reduce household FOG by limiting the use of your garbage disposal. Solids should always be disposed of in your takeout garbage. Grease and oil can be place in a container or plastic bag or tin can and dispose of in the takeout garbage. Do not pore oil or grease down the drain or toilet.

Grease Interceptor Maintenance is an on-going requirement. Grease will build up in a properly functioning interceptor. If that build up becomes too dense, the interceptor becomes ineffective. The City requires you to have your interceptor pumped out and cleaned at least three times per year. You may find that having this service more frequently is in your best interest. There are commercial transfer companies who provide these services. Keep the transfer receipt for your records and to show the City inspectors.

Industrial Pretreatment Technicians will inspect your kitchen and the condition of your grease interceptor at least once per year and more frequently if possible.

Hazardous Material: Safe Handling of Mercury and Mercury Compounds

Note: The following information was extracted from portions of the Environmental Safety and Health Manual, produce by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory of Livermore California. Recommend you visit the Livermore site for full Mercury handling information, Click Here.

"Mercury is a liquid metal that is environmentally persistent and bioaccumulates in the food chain. Mercury is present in both organic and inorganic forms. The inorganic form can be further divided into elemental mercury and mercuric salts.

All forms of mercury are toxic. Mercury poisoning can result from inhalation, ingestion, and injection or absorption through the skin. Elemental mercury poses a health hazard because it is volatile. Elemental mercury, as a vapor, penetrates the central nervous system, where it is ionized and trapped, attributing to its extreme toxic effects. Mercury metal and mercury compounds are highly hazardous if inhaled or if they remain on the skin for more than a short period of time. Dimethyl mercury rapidly penetrates intact skin. Depending on the type of mercury and dose, symptoms may appear relatively quickly or take a number of years to appear."

ADDITIONAL LINKS FOR MERCURY HANDLING

EPA Mercury Home Site

EPA / Purdue University Site

National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH)

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS HANDLING - GENERALl

Hazardous Material (HAZMAT): is any solid, liquid, or gas that can cause harm to humans, other living organisms, or the environment due to being radioactive, flammable, explosive, toxic, corrosive, a biohazard, an oxidizer, an asphyxiant, or capable of causing severe allergic reactions. The term hazardous material is used in this context almost exclusively in the United States. The equivalent term in the rest of the English-speaking world is Dangerous Goods. (www.Wikipedia-Hazardous Material).

The following links can provide information on handling, storing, shipping and cleaning up hazardous spills.

Office of Hazardous Materials Safety.

The National Materials Safety Data Sheet Repository.

MSDS Data Bases

Household Hazardous Waste. Office of Waste Management, University of Missouri Extension

DISPOSAL OF HOME GENERATED HAZARDOUS MATERIALS:

West Palm Beach
Household Hazardous Waste
6161 North Jog Road
West Palm Beach, FL 33412

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 9a.m. - 5p.m.
Saturday: 7a.m. - 2p.m.

Batteries: Drop off rechargeable batteries to the nearest transfer station or return to a participating retailer take back program such as Home Depot or Office Depot. Call 1-800-8-BATTERY or visit the RBRC website for participating locations.

Used Oil: Used oil can be brought to the nearest transfer station listed below or call (800) 741-4DEP for alternate used oil drop-off locations.

Paint: You can dispose of Latex paint (water based) in your garbage can if you dry it out first. Remove the lid and add sand, cat litter or sawdust. Leave the can uncovered. Spray aerosol cans until empty and then placed them in the garbage can. Bring all other types of paints to a transfer station for proper disposal.

Pesticides: Empty containers can be thrown away in the trash. Spray contents on target area or combine with new product. Triple rinse bottles.

Sharps / Medical Wastes: Needles and syringes can not be placed in the garbage, recycling containers, or down the toilet. Waste Management and Safe Compliance, Inc. have collaborated to provide a safe and confidential disposal of medical wastes such as needles, syringes, lancets, test strips, and other items through the mail. Click here to order or call 1-877- WASTE MD. The Palm Beach County Department of Health has a Used Sharps Depository Program for proper disposal of used needles. Call (561) 355-3023 for the closest Sharps Exchange locations in our area.

These hazardous items must be disposed of properly. Bring them to a transfer station or drop-off location near you.







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