RA 6969 and Hazardous Waste

Flashcards for Environmental Engineering review, focusing on Republic Act 6969 and hazardous waste management.

RA 6969

Republic Act 6969, also known as the 'Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990'.

Hazardous Waste (EPA Definition)

A waste that does not appear on a special Listed Wastes group but meets one or more of four waste characteristics (Ignitability, Corrosivity, Reactivity, or Toxicity).

Toxic Waste (EPA's Dictionary)

A waste that, when ingested or absorbed, is harmful or fatal to living organisms.

Characteristics of Hazardous Waste

Flammable, corrosive, reactive, or toxic.

Types of Hazardous Waste

Listed Wastes, Characteristic Wastes, Mixed Waste, and Universal Wastes.

Examples of Listed Wastes

F-List, K-List, and P and U-List.

F-List Wastes

Wastes from common manufacturing and industrial processes (non-specific source wastes).

K-List Wastes

Wastes from specific industries like petroleum refining or pesticide manufacturing (source-specific wastes).

P- and U-List

Discarded commercial chemical products; P-list contains acutely toxic substances, and U-List wastes are ALL TOXIC.

Four Characteristics of Subpart D-List Wastes

Toxic, Corrosive, Ignitable, and Reactive.

Ignitable Wastes

Wastes that can create fires, are spontaneously combustible, or have a flash point less than 60 °C (140 °F). Examples: waste oils and used solvents.

Corrosive Wastes

Acids or bases (pH ≤ 2 or ≥ 12.5) capable of corroding metal containers.

Reactive Wastes

Wastes unstable under normal conditions that can cause explosions, toxic fumes, gases, or vapors when heated, compressed, or mixed with water. Examples: lithium-sulfur batteries & explosives.

Toxic Wastes

Wastes harmful or fatal when ingested or absorbed (e.g., containing mercury, lead, etc.).

Mixed Waste

Waste containing both radioactive and hazardous waste components, regulated by RCRA and AEA.

Types of Mixed Waste

Low-level mixed waste (LLMW), High-Level Mixed Waste (HLW), and Mixed Transuranic Waste (MTRU).

Universal Wastes

Batteries, pesticides, mercury-containing equipment and bulbs (lamps). Also known as commonly generated waste, and classified as dangerous goods.

Policy of the State (RA 6969)

To regulate, restrict or prohibit the importation, manufacture, processing, sale, distribution, use and disposal of chemical substances and mixtures that present unreasonable risk and/or injury to health or the environment; to prohibit the entry of hazardous and nuclear wastes into the Philippines.

Objectives of RA 6969

To keep an inventory of chemicals, regulate chemicals, inform and educate the public, and prevent entry of hazardous wastes.

Chemical Substance

Any organic or inorganic substance of a particular molecular identity.

Chemical Mixture

Any combination of two or more chemical substances.

Manufacture

The mechanical or chemical transformation of substances into new products.

Unreasonable Risk

Expected frequency of undesirable effects or adverse responses arising from a given exposure to a substance.

Nuclear Waste

Hazardous wastes made radioactive by exposure to radiation incidental to the production or utilization of nuclear fuels.

Functions of DENR

Responsible for keeping an updated inventory of chemicals, testing chemicals, evaluating characteristics, conducting inspections, monitoring and preventing entry of hazardous waste, and disseminating information.

Inter-Agency Technical Advisory Council

Attached to the DENR, assists in formulating rules and regulations, preparing the inventory of chemicals, evaluating characteristics of chemical substances.

Pre-Manufacturing and Pre-Importation Requirements (Information Needed)

Name, chemical identity, molecular structure, estimate amount, test data, proposed uses.

Priority Chemical List (PCL)

Includes chemicals that need regulation.