EHS Topics

Aerosol Cans (Spray Cans)

Overview & Applicability

Cleaners, paints, pesticides, lubricants, and polishes are some of the many products on a campus that come in aerosol cans (spray cans.) Aerosol cans contain both the product and a pressurized propellant to distribute the product. In many cases the product may have hazardous characteristics, most commonly ignitability (e.g. paints, lubricants) or toxicity (e.g. pesticides, chlorinated cleaning products). In addition, most propellants are mixtures of ignitable gases, such as propane and butane. Due to their flammability, these gases can cause fires and explosions if they are sprayed or are released unintentionally due to puncture or damage to the can, or if the contents are exposed to an open flame, pilot light, spark, or static electricity.

In a properly functioning aerosol can the product and propellant is simultaneously depleted, so that when the can is depressurized it is also empty of product. However, occasionally cans will malfunction, leaving product in the can after it is depressurized. Nozzles can also break or become clogged during use, leaving the can unusable but with a significant amount of product still left inside.

Disposing of an aerosol can that still has product inside the can in the regular trash can be considered improper disposal of hazardous waste. To ensure compliance with hazardous waste regulations, non-empty aerosol cans should be collected and managed as hazardous wastes.

An aerosol puncturing system is a cost-effective and safe way to minimize costs associated with the disposal of non-empty aerosol cans. These systems use an airtight puncturing device to safely puncture aerosol cans and drain the contents into a container, such as a 55-gallon drum. The propellants are treated through a series of filters prior to discharge. Once empty, the cans are considered scrap metal and can be recycled or disposed. The consolidated contents can be shipped of for proper disposal as hazardous waste.

Summary of Requirements

Review the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) for the aerosol products commonly used on your campus to identify those which are hazardous.
Whenever possible, completely use up the contents of an aerosol can for its intended purpose. Do not empty aerosol cans by discharging the contents directly to the environment.
Collect all aerosol cans that are no longer usable but contain product/propellant. If an aerosol can puncturing/draining system is not available on campus, accumulate non-empty cans with other hazardous wastes for pickup by a properly licensed hazardous waste disposal company.
Cans that are completely emptied of product and propellant can be disposed of as scrap metal, preferably through a scrap metal recycling program.