Overview of Hazardous Waste Chapter 27

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts related to hazardous waste management, its characteristics, classifications, treatment methods, regulations, and associated health and environmental impacts.

Hazardous Waste

Materials that pose a substantial risk to human health or the environment due to their chemical, biological, or physical properties.

Ignitability

A characteristic of waste indicating it is easily combustible or flammable. (waste oils, pyrophoric, and solvents)

Corrosivity

The property of waste that can corrode metals or damage skin, typically associated with acids (pH <2) and bases (pH>12.5)

pH scale 0-14

either acid or alkaline

Reactivity

A characteristic of waste indicating it is unstable and prone to dangerous reactions. (lithium sulfur batteries and explosives)

Toxicity

The quality of being harmful or fatal when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed, often leading to environmental contamination.

metals- mercury& lead

chemicals- benzene, dioxin

Listed Waste

Hazardous waste identified on specific EPA lists, including F-list, K-list, P-list, and U-list.

Universal Waste

A category of hazardous waste that includes batteries, pesticides, and bulbs.

Mixed Waste

Waste that contains both hazardous and radioactive materials———> very special location

RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act)

First major federal legislation of hazardous waste established by EPA in 1976, responsible for 'CRADLE TO GRAVE' management protocols.

CERCLA (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act)

A law enacted in 1980 that governs the cleanup of contaminated sites, providing funding and procedures for hazardous waste cleanup (superfund)

HAZWOPER (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response)

-OSHA- 1986

-A standard that emphasizes worker protection and hazard communication regarding hazardous waste.

Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (HMTA)

Regulates safe transportation of hazardous materials, including packaging and labeling.

Incineration

A disposal method that destroys material by combustion, requiring high temperatures and monitoring for emissions.

NIMBY- Not In My Back Yard

Secured Landfill

A specially designed landfill for hazardous materials, meeting EPA requirements including leachate drainage systems.

-require a drainage system

-monitoring system (drill wells)

Biological Treatment

A waste treatment method that uses microorganisms to break down organic substances.

Chemical Treatment

Involves chemical processes such as pH adjustments and extraction of harmful components from waste.

Deep Well Injection

-pumps move the liquid wastes deep into the earth, into locations typically below the bottom most useable water aquifer

-no longer allowed by EPA

-concerns about geology being adequate to maintain the seal for injection pipes

Burial- 2 kinds of landfills that can be used

conventional landfills and secure landfill

conventional landfill

not typically allowed; generally talking about municipal landfills

hazardous waster disposal-3 ways

burial, deep well injection, and incineration- primary ways to dispose of hazardous waste

Love Canal

-1978

-nearly 22,000 tons of chemical waste in a neighborhood of Niagara Falls

-evacuation of 240 families

-1942-1952 companies dumped chemical waste that contaminated the area, leading to significant health issues among residents.

F-List

waste from NONSPECIFIC sources

-common manufacturing and industrial processes

-solvents for cleaning or degreasing operations

-identified by EPA

example- acetyl

K-List

-waste from SPECIFIC sources

-certain sluges from wastewater from treatment & production from specific operations

-petrolum refining or pesticide manufacturing

P-List

-discarded commercial chemical products

-specific commercial chemical products in an UNUSED form

-pesticides and certain pharmaceutical products that become hazardous when discarded

U-List

-discarded commercial chemical products

-can contain toxic cnstituents←——similar to P-listed waste

Hazardous Waste Management Process

generation: identifying and categorizing waste

storage: using approved containers and labels

treatment: reducing or neutralizing hazardous properties

disposal: ensuring proper landfill or incineration methods

generator needs to do research about hazardous materials

Chemical treatment of hazardous waste

-pH adjustments

-extraction of oils, heavy metals, oxidation/reduction

CRADLE to GRAVE

generator is responsible for the waste material from the time it is created until it is no longer hazardous