ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH�� www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/eh/ehhome.htm��

Guidelines for Handling and Disposing Hazardous Materials at Fire Sites

In the aftermath of the Summit Fire residents and property owner may encounter hazardous materials and household hazardous waste.� It is important for your safety, to protect the environment, and to protect your property value, that hazardous materials are handled and disposed of properly.� Santa Cruz County Environmental Health Services (EHS) has created this guide sheet to assist you in safely handling and disposing household hazardous materials that you may encounter as you assess damage and begin the clean up process.

1) Protect yourself!� Wear rubber gloves, eye protection, long sleeved shirts, and pants (or coveralls) when handling hazardous materials or their containers.� Be especially careful when handling vehicle batteries.� The heat from the fire has likely caused the casings to crack and leak acid.

2) Evaluate all containers of hazardous materials prior to moving or opening them.� Do not open or touch containers or drums that are bulging!� Call EHS for consultation.�

3) Separate out all hazardous materials such as paint, automotive fluids, garden chemicals, pool and hot tub chemicals, and batteries from other debris that is going to the landfill.� Do not mix chemicals!

4) Place containers of hazardous materials in buckets or deep pans for temporary storage or transporting to a Household Hazardous Waste Facility.� Vehicle batteries need to be placed in a plastic container to contain any leaking acid.

5) Empty containers of hazardous materials can be recycled or disposed of in the garbage.�� Also, empty propane containers, where the valve has blown, can be recycled or disposed in the garbage.�

How to Dispose Household Hazardous Waste

Take vehicle and household batteries, waste motor oil, waste antifreeze, oil filters, brake and transmission fluids to the Buena Vista Landfill Recycling Center at 1231 Buena Vista Road.� You may transport no more than 20 gallons of waste oil at a time and use containers no larger that 5 gallons. It is open 7 days a week from 7:30 am �3:30 pm.

For all other household hazardous materials you may take them to the Buena Vista Household Hazardous Waste Facility at the Buena Vista Landfill.� You may only transport 15 gallons at a time.� It is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm.�

If you are storing hazardous materials in 55 gal drums on your property you are in violation of State and local regulations.� EHS will consult with you on disposing these materials properly and safely without risk of prosecution.�

Please, contact EHS at (831) 454-2022, if you have any questions. �