
GFM Environmental Services Disposes of used X-Ray Fixer and Developer.
Analog photographic x-ray machines generate dangerous waste. Medical facilities, such as doctors', dentists', and veterinarians' offices must handle these wastes in a method that protects nature and people.
Analog photographic x-ray machines generate dangerous waste. Medical facilities, such as doctors', dentists', and veterinarians' offices must handle these wastes in a method that protects nature and people.
Best Management Practices for Used/Spent Fixer Solution
Spent fixer solution contains silver, a toxic substance that contributes to the heavy metal burden in waste water if it is disposed of down the drain or sewer. Municipal by-laws place concentration limits on several heavy metals that enter the waste water stream, as waste water eventually becomes reused as local drinking water. Silver can also contaminate the soil and groundwater if it is sent to the landfill. Used fixer from X-ray processing is a dangerous waste because it contains high concentrations of silver–3,000 to 8,000 parts per million— and anything over 5 ppm is dangerous waste. Because of these high silver levels, it’s illegal to put used fixer down the drain, into a septic system or into the garbage.
- Collect used fixer in a containers sold by GFM Environmental Services or reuse original container.
- It is not necessary to keep fixer and develop separate as the environmentally sound process utilized by GFM Environmental Services treats both simultaneously .
- Have GFM Environmental Services pick-up used fixer for recycling.
Best Management Practices for Developer Solution
Unused developer contains hydroquinone which is a toxic substance, so unused developer cannot go down the drain and must be treated as a hazardous waste. It is recommended that used developer be treated and disposed of as per fixer. During the x-ray development process developer may become contaminated or mixed with fixer raising the silver content above acceptable limits. Additionally, many municipalities prohibit used developer from being disposed of via the municipal waste-water treatment facility.