To: All SPI Contractors
From: Robert Klein
Memo 1105 Defining Health Hazards

We have lately received a number of complaints from clients and M&M contractors that our contractors often provide bids to remove as health hazards items and/or materials that do not need to be removed.  As you know, at pre-sale properties, the only items that should be removed are those that pose an infestation risk.  Many of the hazard-removal bids we receive, however, include bids to remove a variety of normal household items that do not pose a health or safety issue.  Common sense must be used when submitting bids for household items.  If the item you are bidding to remove is an item you have in your home and does not require any special method of disposal, it should not be bid as a health hazard.  These item should be considered as debris and debris guidelines should be followed.
 
Please note that bids and invoices for the removal of normal household items will not be accepted.  To help you assure that your bids are in keeping with standards and guidelines for identifying health hazards, we have prepared a list of some items that routinely show up as part of HH removal bids but that should not be bid or removed from pre-sale properties. 

Normal Household Items (Non-Hazardous)
Aerosol Cans - Spray Paint, Air Freshener, Cleansers
Alcoholic beverages
Rubbing Alcohol
Beauty/Hygiene Products ? cosmetics, shampoo, feminine products, tooth paste
Candles
Canned Food
Chemicals (Harsh) - oven cleaner, bleach, ammonia, antifreeze, chlorine, lawn chemicals, adhesives
Chemicals (Mild) - household/school glue, detergent, car wax, soap
Light Bulbs
Paint/Stain (less than 5 gallons)
Rock Salt/Ice Melt
Household Batteries  (A, AA, AAA, D, 9V type) 

Please note as a general rule, everyday usage and non-specialty items that can be purchased over the counter at local stores (and not specialty stores) are considered as household hazardous waste(HHW), and considered as normal debris and should be disposed as such.

The following photo links show examples of items for which we received bids.  These are normal household items that should not be bid as health hazards :

Bid Photo Link

Bid Photo Link 1
 
Bid Photo Link 2

While this is by no means a complete list of the items that should be considered non-hazard household items, the list is representative of things that have appeared on health hazard-removal bids over the past several months.  If you have questions about whether an item should be removed or bid for removal, contact your regional coordinator from the job site.
 
Please also keep in mind that, when bidding to remove health hazards, you must provide a detailed description of the items being removed.  It's not sufficient to simply indicate ?bid to remove 10 chemicals? and provide a bid amount: the bid must clearly identify the items and quantity to be removed, justify the amount of the bid and the presence of the hazards must be documented with photographs.  Orders lacking such descriptive details will be left open. 

If you have any other questions or need more information about how to identify items that should be classified as health hazards, please contact your regional coordinator.

Kathy Cogan
Research & Development Manager