|  | Public Health Safety | Public Health

What Is the Proper Disposal for Menthol?

Menthol is most commonly used in cold preparations to relieve chest and nasal congestion and for easing muscle and joint pain when rubbed into the skin. However, menthol is considered an industrial chemical when it exists in large quantities in its crystalline form. Proper disposal of menthol is important for human safety but less so for environmental protection.

  1. About Menthol

    • Menthol is an organic compound containing the chemicals levomenthol and methone and made from peppermint or other mint oils. It also can be produced synthetically. In its pure form, menthol can cause irritation to the eyes, skin and the respiratory tract. It's harmful if inhaled and can prove fatal if ingested. A lethal human dose is 2 grams, according to Scholar Chemistry of Rochester, N.Y.

    Handling

    • Ventilation is important with menthol. It should be stored in airtight containers in a cool, dry environment. Empty menthol containers should be considered hazardous, given the menthol residue that can remain. The chemical should be kept away from heat and flames. When it's released to the environment menthol readily evaporates, so it's not considered an environmental threat.

    Disposal

    • Recovery or recycling of menthol is, of course, preferable to outright disposal, but when disposal is necessary, small amounts can be directed to sewer systems and the trash. Otherwise, in larger quantities, menthol should be disposed of according to local and national regulations to sanitary landfills, with the caveat that local rules are likely to be more stringent, according to Scholar Chemistry.

      A sanitary landfill is one in which waste is sequestered until it is deemed safe to release to the environment, according to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. To be considered a legitimate sanitary landfill, a site must meet four basic requirements: The area must be partially or fully isolated, or lined; it must be prepared with local geological and hydrogeological parameters in mind; the site must be continuously monitored; and the waste must be arranged in layers and compacted.

Public Health - Related Articles