Modern humans generate an enormous amount of toxic waste that must be disposed of effectively to preserve the planet for future generations. Reputable hazardous waste disposal companies offer recycling services and work with businesses to align their sustainability goals and regulatory obligations.
Exposure to harmful toxins can cause respiratory problems like coughing and wheezing, and long-term exposure can lead to serious illnesses like cancer. These contaminants can also corrode pipes and kill plants and animals. Click the Hazardous Waste Disposal Companies to learn more.
In the modern world, humans constantly create hazardous wastes through a wide variety of activities. These wastes must be treated and disposed of properly to preserve planet Earth for future generations. Failure to do so can cost businesses and organizations big money. Familiarizing yourself with the major hazardous waste classifications is essential for avoiding fines and other liabilities.
The most common types of hazardous wastes include ignitable, toxic, and corrosive chemicals. In addition, contaminated water and soil can also pose dangers. These problems can be particularly dangerous to human beings because of the possible effects on their health.
Ignitable wastes are liquids that can cause an explosion or release toxic gases if subjected to heat or pressure. These include battery acid and drain cleaner. Corrosive wastes are liquids or solids that can eat through metal containers and human skin. These are things like perchloric acid and nitric acid. These types of chemicals must be stored in a chemical fume hood.
Toxic wastes are wastes that contain high concentrations of heavy metals such as cadmium, mercury, or lead. They are commonly generated by medical or dental facilities and laboratories. In addition, industrial processes such as wood preserving and petroleum manufacturing can create toxic wastes. These wastes are often referred to as “P”-listed hazardous wastes.
The last category of hazardous wastes is reactive. These are wastes that are unstable under normal conditions and may explode or release toxic gases, fumes, or vapors if mixed with water or exposed to certain other conditions such as heat or pressure. These include some cyanides and sulfide-bearing wastes.
Hazardous waste determinations are based on the physical properties of the waste, as well as the characteristics and history of its generation. A hazardous waste determination must be done by a qualified individual using one of the following methods: TCLP test, flash point, pH, or the characteristic of reactivity. This last method relies on the generator’s knowledge of its characteristics at the time it was created. This means that the determination of a waste’s reactivity depends on the information in the material safety data sheet, the process that generated it, and any other available information such as its use and history.
Ignitable Wastes
Some liquid wastes can be ignitable, which is why the EPA lists them as hazardous wastes. These include liquids with a flash point below 140oF, as well as non-liquids that cause fire under specific conditions such as oxidizers (waste code D001). Ignitable solids also fall into this category, as do many types of powdered metals.
Just as with reactive wastes, some ignitable and corrosive wastes can be dangerous for handling or transporting. This is why it’s important to review product safety data sheets before you dispose of these chemicals. Also, be sure to follow any directions for disposal provided on the product label. This will help you avoid leaking, spilling, exploding or mixing with other materials during their journey to a hazardous waste disposal site.
Toxic wastes may be disposed of in the same way as ignitable or corrosive wastes, though special precautions should be taken to reduce risk of physical injury to sanitation workers. These wastes are dangerous if ingested or absorbed through skin, and they can be a hazard to workers who might come into contact with them during transportation or processing.
The EPA has established four characteristics that indicate that a waste poses sufficient threat to merit regulation as a hazardous waste: ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity and toxicity. Wastes that meet the ignitability characteristic, such as liquids with flash points below 140oF or non-liquids that cause fire under certain conditions, are classified as hazardous wastes and cannot be disposed of down drains.
Wastes that are ignitable or corrosive, such as many types of batteries, are not allowed to be disposed of down drains either. Instead, they must be collected as hazardous wastes for disposal at a facility that is licensed to receive them.
Ignitable and corrosive wastes should be placed in leak proof secondary containment and kept away from other chemicals, to prevent the possibility of them leaking out, igniting or reacting with each other. Also, they should be transported in containers that are securely fastened and labelled to minimize the chance of them being damaged during transport. Liquids should be transported in tubs or trays that can hold the entire volume of the liquid, while dry solids are best transported in a puncture resistant container.
Corrosive Wastes
Corrosive wastes have the ability to destroy or erode metals, inorganic and organic polymers, living tissues, and other materials with which they come into contact. They can also be dangerous to humans because they can cause severe burns if contacted with the skin. This type of waste is produced by many common industrial, manufacturing and petrochemical processes and must be disposed of properly.
To be regulated as hazardous, liquid corrosive waste must be placed in a container with a tight-closing lid and stored in a ventilated area, such as a chemical fume hood. A container must also be labeled with the name of the substance, the date accumulated and emergency contact numbers. In addition, a container must be kept away from sources of heat and ignition, as corrosive liquids can react violently with these elements when exposed.
When storing chemicals, choose containers made of materials compatible with the material being stored. For example, acid should be stored in glass or polyethylene, and caustics in stainless steel or polypropylene. Store corrosives in areas separate from other chemical wastes, and make sure they are clearly labeled to avoid confusion.
While the majority of household chemicals are not considered to be hazardous waste, any that are must be disposed of correctly. This includes pesticides, herbicides, pool chemicals, and mercury-containing products such as thermometers. Hazardous wastes can be disposed of at the local landfill or by participating in your city’s or county’s household hazardous waste program.
Some corrosive chemicals can be mixed together to create explosive, poisonous or toxic gases. These wastes should be disposed of at the hazardous waste facility, where they will undergo proper treatment and disposal to prevent contamination of the environment and human exposure to dangerous chemicals.
The EPA’s regulations include four characteristics that determine whether or not a solid is considered a hazardous waste: ignitability (D001), corrosivity (D002), reactivity (D003) and toxicity (D043). These classifications are separate from DOT’s Hazardous Material Regulations or HMR. RCRA focuses on on-site management, while HMR regulates the transportation of hazardous waste from point A to point B.
Infectious Wastes
Infectious wastes are waste materials that contain pathogens that may cause disease in humans. Infectious wastes must be stored and transported with special precautions to prevent the spread of infection to other laboratory personnel or the general public. Laboratory workers are responsible for identifying and segregating infectious waste so that it can be safely contained prior to final disposal. It is important to have a clear understanding of the different types of infectious waste and how they should be handled in order to comply with state and federal regulations.
Infective wastes are classified by their level of risk to human health. Class 4 infectious waste contains the most serious infectious agents and must be handled with the greatest care. This includes cultures and stocks of agents that can cause epidemic diseases in humans, live and attenuated vaccines, and anything used to contain or mix the infectious agent (e.g., petri dishes, pipettes, disposable loops and Eppendorfs).
Discarded sharps that are used in the treatment of animal or human patients or in medical, pharmaceutical, or research laboratories (including hypodermic needles with attached needles, scalpels, lancets and broken glassware) are considered infectious waste. In addition, contaminated animals and their carcasses and bedding are considered infectious waste. Infectious wastes should be stored and transported in a properly labelled biohazard container or bag, and it must bear the universal biohazard symbol.
Hazardous waste disposal that is not performed correctly poses a significant threat to the environment and human health. It can cause a wide range of acute and chronic health problems, from skin irritation and chemical burns to respiratory issues and cancer.
Fortunately, with the right hazardous waste management plan in place, you can help ensure that your facilities are running smoothly and efficiently while reducing your environmental footprint. To begin, it is important to understand the different classes of hazardous wastes and how they should be handled.
Hazardous wastes can be liquids, solids or contained gases and may be the byproducts of manufacturing processes or discarded unused commercial products. They can also include certain household chemicals and a variety of other materials. Generally, the hazardous wastes are divided into several categories based on their properties and how they affect human health and the environment. These include reactivity, ignitability, corrosion and toxicity.