Safety & Loss Prevention

Paint Booth Exhaust Filters

Exhaust filters from paint (spray) booths can be hazardous waste, depending on the components of the material being sprayed, if listed solvents are added by the user to the paint formulation, and how the booth is managed.

Waste determination

  • As with other wastes, you can base your waste determination upon:
    1. knowledge of the waste, or
    2. TCLP results
  • Any paint waste, including paint booth filters, is as a hazardous (listed) waste if you put additional listed solvent(s) into the paint, or spray a hazardous solvent into the filter when cleaning spray guns.
  • Just because a paint formulation that has a RCRA-listed solvent is used in a booth does not mean that the used filter is a listed waste. According to an EPA letter on F-listed solvents and paint formulations dated May 5, 1988 , “…process wastes where solvents were used as reactants or ingredients in the formulation of commercial chemical products are not covered by the listing. The products themselves are also not covered.” ( see also 50 FR 53316, December 31, 1985). Paints are included in this classification of commercial chemical products and an unaltered paint formulation would not be a F-listed spent solvent hazardous waste.

Non-hazardous filter disposal considerations

  • Non-hazardous filters can be disposed in a Wisconsin solid waste landfill provided they are dry and the landfill will accept them.
  • Avoid conditions that could lead to spontaneous combustion in dumpsters. Both hazardous and non-hazardous filters have been known to spontaneously combust.

Other guidance

Wisconsin DNR does not provide guidance on the issues related to this specific waste stream. However, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) provides excellent guidance on the waste determination process and waste management practices for paint booth filters. Check it out at:

Managing Paint Booth Filters-Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

If you determine that your filters are not hazardous waste, the “Managing Nonhazardous Filters” section on page 3 of the MPCA guidance provides good advice. However, note that the first paragraph of this section does not apply in Wisconsin . The industrial solid waste definition is a Minnesota-specific provision.

 

Updated October 18, 2007.

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This publication was prepared for environmental, health and safety staff at University of Wisconsin System campuses, to assist in finding resources and information for regulatory compliance. It is not intended to render legal advice. (Click here to read full legal disclaimer.)