100th CES Environmental HWSA cuts down pollution Published April 11, 2014 By Airman 1st Class Jonathan Light 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs RAF MILDENHALL, England -- When many people think of hazardous waste, images of people in full-body suits, masks and other protection gear come to mind - but that image doesn't always portray what happens in reality. The 100th Civil Engineer Squadron Environmental Hazardous Waste Storage Area is the central focal point for all the different organizations or shops on base that produce hazardous waste, such as fuel or oil-soaked rags. "We receive the waste created by government-owned property and correctly identify, catalog and package the waste, so it's suitable for an authorized contractor to remove it from the base," said Mark Calvert, 100th CES Environmental hazardous waste program manager from Woodbridge, England. Throughout the different shops that deal with hazardous waste, there are 26 hazardous waste accumulation points. Each shop has someone - a commander-nominated HWAP manager - who was nominated by their commander to be the liaison between the HWSA and their shop. "In addition to the accumulation point managers receiving the training specifically for handling their accumulated waste, all shop members are trained in the processes and disposal of hazardous material - even if they aren't accumulated point managers," said Jeanne Dye-Porto, 100th CES Environmental element chief from Alamogordo, N.M. Although Airmen and Department of Defense contractors are mandated to go through safety training before handling hazardous material, spouses and other Team Mildenhall members may not know what to do in the presence of hazardous material or waste, or even what classifies it as such. "Hazardous materials are materials that could cause injury or death; or damage or pollute land, air or water," said Richard Dickson, 100th CES Environmental scientist from Auchtermuchty, Scotland. "Hazardous waste is any substance that is ignitable, corrosive, toxic, explosive or reactive." Dye-Porto said prior to using or acquiring hazardous materials, people should read a material safety data sheet and/or label. This will help educate a person before he/she handles materials. An MSDS comes with all purchases of hazardous material. If someone has misplaced or does not have a data sheet then they should contact the manufacturer. If the 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron Hazmart Pharmacy provided the material and an individual has the stock number, the pharmacy can provide another data sheet. "Anyone planning on handling hazardous materials, on or off-duty or for government or personal uses, should have access to these data sheets," Dye-Porto said. It's good to remember to always read this information and take seriously. If data sheets aren't available and the material doesn't have a label, personnel shouldn't use it. "The best advice is to take the MSDS seriously because a lot of (the concern involve) long-term effects," Dickson said. "Someone might think it's okay to just go home and wash their hands, but they don't know what has soaked into their skin. Even though we don't always wear full body protection gear, the materials we use on a daily basis are dangerous." For more information, contact the 100th CES Environmental HWSA at DSN 238-5836 or 238-4993, or commercial at 01638-545836 or 01638-544993.