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How to Safely Dispose Hazardous Waste?

Introduction:

Imagine you live in a world with air, water, and soil all filled with life-threatening toxic substances. Well, it is not imagination but a waking reality that we face due to improper hazardous waste disposal. Millions of tons of hazardous waste are produced each year, and its improper management severely affects human health and the environment. Corrosive, ignitable, toxic, and reactive materials fall under the category of hazardous waste. So, buckle up and read on to learn why proper hazardous waste disposal matters, and how to do it correctly.

What Qualifies as Hazardous Waste?

Hazardous waste has many different types, each with a particular origin and characteristic. After knowing the correct types of waste, the organizations can properly handle, treat, and dispose of the waste, keeping the risk at edge.

Following are the types of hazardous waste:

1. Listed Wastes:

EPA has identified these types of wastes and divided them into 4 different categories:

F-List Wastes: These wastes have non-specific sources and are mainly generated as a result of manufacturing processes (e.g., dioxin-bearing wastes spent solvents).
K-List Wastes: These wastes are generated from specific sources in particular industries such as petroleum refining, wood preservation and explosive manufacturing.
P-List Waste: These are pure and unused chemicals that are hazardous in nature, such as some pesticides. P-list waste containers are also treated as hazardous.
U-List Waste: These are less severe than P-Listed wastes, mainly unused and toxic, such as different solvent types.

2. Characteristic Wastes:

These waste types are classified on their hazardous properties:

Ignitable: These hazardous wastes, such as solvents with low flashpoints, can catch fire easily.
Corrosive: These have a pH lower than 2 or above 12.4 and corrode materials easily.
Reactive: They can violently react under normal conditions, such as certain batteries and explosives.
Toxic: When absorbed and ingested, these are harmful to health, such as chloroform and arsenic.
Mixed Radiological Wastes: These include wastes that have both hazardous and radioactive components. They require disposal according to the RCRA and the Atomic Energy Act.

3. Universal Wastes:

Also known as the commonly generated hazardous wastes, the universal wastes contain items such as bulbs, pesticides, mercury-containing equipment, and batteries. This type of waste is also classified as ''dangerous goods'', having 9 particular categories:

Class 1: Explosives.
Class 2: Gases.
Class 3: Flammable Liquids.
Class 4: Flammable Substances or Solids.
Class 5: Organic Peroxides and Oxidizing Substances.
Class 6: Infectious and Toxic Substances.
Class 7: Radioactive Material.
Class 8: Corrosive Substances.
Class 9: Miscellaneous Dangerous Substances.

4. Mixed Wastes:

These are a mixture of both hazardous wastes and radioactive components. Due to their diverse nature, their treatment and disposal also differs. These wastes are identified into 3 types by the US DOE. These are low-level mixed waste (LLMW), high-level mixed waste (HLW), and mixed transuranic waste (MTRU).

By understanding these waste categories, hazardous waste can be properly managed and disposed of while complying with environmental regulations.

Examples of Common Hazardous Materials

Following are some of the commonly known hazardous materials:

Benzene:

This organic chemical is used in plastics and detergent production. It is highly toxic, flammable, and a carcinogen that affects multiple organs if ingested. Inhaling benzene vapors damages the central nervous system and bone marrow. If skin is exposed, then irritation and redness can occur.

Arsenic:

Found in soil and water, this naturally occurring metal is used in glass production and wood preservation. Arsenic exposure is the cause of cancer and respiratory issues. One can get exposed to arsenic by ingesting arsenic-contaminated water or food, which is the cause of gastrointestinal issues. Arsenic dust can be inhaled, which develops respiratory issues.

Cadmium:

It is a toxic metal used mainly in batteries. It causes lung damage and kidney diseases, when exposed. Industrial processes produce cadmium fumes that damage the lungs and ingesting the contaminated water or food causes kidney diseases. When cadmium comes in contact with the skin, it can cause irritation.

Chlorine:

This corrosive gas is widely used in water treatment and manufacturing. It causes respiratory irritation and is toxic at higher concentrations. Gaseous chlorine, when inhaled, causes respiratory system irritation and can cause death at high concentrations. When it comes in contact with skin, chlorine leads to irritation and burns, while the digestive system gets damaged when ingested.

Lead:

Paints and batteries have lead metal, which is the culprit causing neurological damage, developmental issues in children, and anemia. Exposure to lead dust occurs through inhalation, skin contact and ingestion of contaminated items.

Mercury:

This liquid metal is used in dental fillings and thermometers. Its highly toxic nature damages the kidneys and the nervous systems. Inhalation of mercury vapors affects the nervous system, while ingestion causes kidney damage. Skin exposure can result in absorption through the skin, leading to toxicity over time.

Sulphuric Acid:

This strong acid is commonly used in batteries and chemical manufacturing that causes severe burns when touched. Inhalation of its fumes irritates the respiratory tract, and ingestion can lead to internal burns and tissue damage.

Gasoline:

A common type of fuel that contains harmful chemicals such as benzene. Inhaling it or contact with the skin poses serious health risks. Inhalation of fumes can cause dizziness and central nervous system depression.

Hydrogen Peroxide:

It is a common disinfectant that is flammable. Skin contact causes irritation or burns; ingestion leads to stomach pain and vomiting, and inhaling concentrated vapors irritates the lungs.

Acetone:

Used to make nail polish removers and paint thinners. It is highly flammable and is a skin and eye irritant. Inhalation of acetone vapors causes dizziness and headaches, while skin contact irritates the skin. Ingestion can harm the digestive tract.

All these hazardous materials damage human health and the environment and, therefore, require careful handling to prevent environmental contamination.

How Can You Safely Dispose Hazardous Waste at the Workplace?

Industrial waste can be disposed of safely by considering regulated methods that minimize environmental impact and enable companies to stay compliant with the legal guidelines. The following are the primary disposal methods:

Incineration:

This thermal treatment method burns hazardous waste at high temperatures (1500-3000 degrees Fahrenheit), destroying harmful substances. This method reduces waste volume and can generate energy, but it needs to be conducted in permitted facilities to control the emissions properly by neutralizing the toxic gases. The incineration-produced energy is used to generate electricity, adding to sustainable energy production efforts.

Underground Injection:

In underground areas, hazardous liquid waste can be dumped to form geological formations. The site for liquid injection is selected carefully to prevent groundwater contamination and stick to regulatory standards. This method is most effective for industrial products that are not easily treated simply by using surface-level techniques. To ensure long-term safety, the process needs to be monitored continuously, and the injection wells should be maintained.

Land Disposal:

Specially designed landfills can be used to dispose of some types of hazardous waste after the pre-treatment process. To prevent gas emissions and leachate, these landfills are engineered prevent a harmful effect on the environment. Hazardous waste is given pre-treatment to neutralize or stabilize the toxic components properly and reduce the detrimental environmental effects. Strict supervision is used to process these waste types so that land disposal becomes a controlled and effective solution for non-recyclable hazardous materials.

Chemical Treatment:

Chemical treatments, including oxidation and neutralization, are used to detoxify hazardous wastes prior to their disposal. This method turns the toxic substances into less harmful compounds, converting them into safer forms for further treatment and disposal. As an example, alkaline substances are used to neutralize acidic waste, while heavy metals can be skimmed out of the liquid waste. Another versatile method is chemical treatment, used onsite or in specialized treatment facilities, depending on the waste type and quantity.

Biological Treatment:

Another effective disposal method is using microorganisms that break down organic hazardous waste. This treatment can be applied to contaminated soil and wastewater to decrease toxicity. Biological therapy is especially effective for contaminated soil and industrial sewage, restoring the ecosystems and cutting down the toxicity levels. Biological treatment can be enhanced with techniques including bioremediation and bioaugmentation by using specialized bacteria or enzymes to speed up the waste breakdown process.

Recycling and Recovery:

Depending on the possibility, hazardous materials should be recycled or recovered for reuse. It covers metal recovery from electronic waste or repurposing solvents used in manufacturing. As part of recycling, valuable metals are extracted from electronics waste, used batteries recycling and repurposing solvents in the industrial processes. The main advantage of recycling is conserving resources and diminishing the hazardous environmental and health risks. The benefits of recycling can be further enhanced by proper sorting of the waste.

All these hazardous waste safe disposal methods require one thing in common: Proper Training. Proper training is the first step in safe hazardous waste disposal, as mishandling can severely harm the environment and health. To help the community out there, HAZWOPER OSHA Training LLC is offering courses such as HAZWOPER (e) Training, which has a comprehensive suite of courses related to hazardous waste operations and emergencies. So, ditch the wait to enroll today and start learning in your preferred formats, such as online, onsite, virtual instructor-led, or SCORM. Join us today to make workplace safety a top priority.

To deeply understand hazardous waste training and who needs it? read our in-depth blog. To dispose of dangerous waste using these methods, one needs to work with licensed disposal facilities compliant with the EPA regulations and local laws to ensure effective waste management.

Conclusion

Apart from the legal obligation, proper hazardous waste disposal is a moral duty to keep the health, environment, and future generations safe. Sticking to the safe methods of disposing of hazardous wastes can prevent irreversible damage to our ecosystem. Another argument is that stringent global policies should be implemented to impose accountability on a larger scale so that every organization contributes to this dire cause. Together, we can make a cleaner and safer world.