I'm hoping to set up a small welding shop for sculpture and am trying to clear environmental hurdles. One concerns disposal of materials considered "hazardous". I think that grinding dust would fall into that category IF it contains heavy metals, which I suspect that many stainless steels might contain. But if I stay clear of stainless (as I plan), does anyone know whether regular mild steel, aluminum, or (possibly) bronze grinding dust might be considered hazardous/ contain any heavy metals? What about sandblaster sand?

I've been looking at the govt. site (here in California) but it's pretty confusing...

Anyone had experience with this?

Thanks a lot!

- Sander