Hazardous Waste Management Chapter 4

What is Hazardous Waste?

A waste with properties that make it dangerous or capable of having a harmful effect on human health or the environment.

RCRA

“Resource Conservation and Recovery Act”

RCRA

Law which creates a framework for the proper management of non-hazardous and hazardous waste.

CERCLA

Comprehensive Enviromental Response, Compensation and Liabilities of 1980

CERCLA

Law which identifies sites where HW threatens the environment or public health as a result of leakage, spillage or general mismanagement; Identifies the responsible party and holds the responsible party accountable for clean-up of contaminated site

Mercury (Hg)

If dumped into the environment, can be converted to methylmercury by microorganisms

Love Canal, NY (Mercury issue)

Hooker Chemicals and Plastic Corporation took over site in 1947 and buried thousands of tons of toxic chemicals. In October 1976, Niagara Gazette reports that materials from a chemical landfill have been seeping into basements in the area, people falling ill.

Hazardous Waste Landfill use what?

1. Double Liner
2. Double Leachate Collection Systems
3. Leak Detection System
4. Landfill Gas Collection System
5. Surface Water Control Mechanism
6. Groundwater Monitoring System
7. Impermeable Cover System