Large amount of various kinds of wastes get generated in commercial workplaces, industrial operations, and households every day. Among these wastes are hazardous wastes, which are considered to pose a threat to both the environment as well as public health. Relevant authorities are responsible for the regulation of hazardous waste disposal in most countries that are considered to be developed. Regulation is necessary because without it, pollution would occur on large scale.
In the United States, how hazardous wastes are handled is regulated by the RCRA. The RCRA Act categorizes these wastes into two broad categories, that is, characteristic and listed wastes. All kinds of wastes that have passed the test of possessing the traits of ignitability, toxicity, corrosivity, and reactivity are classified under the characteristic category. Those that fall under the listed category are those that regulatory authorities have listed as hazardous. They may be coming from discarded chemical products, specific sources, or non-specific sources.
The production of hazardous wastes occurs in both industrial as well as domestic settings. Although so, the amounts contributed by industrial sources by far outweigh those of domestic applications. Various domestic products contain hazardous wastes in different forms. Some of the products include paints and solvents, aerosols, ammunition, electronics, caustics, pesticides, refrigerant, radioactive wastes, and automotive wastes among many others.
Historically, most wastes of this nature were destined for landfills. However, that changed with the discovery that the materials used to be leaked to water reservoirs under the ground. From the reservoirs, the materials would find a way into natural hydrologic systems. This problem had to be stopped, which necessitated the development of counter measures. One way was to install the sides and bases of landfills with barriers. The barriers stopped materials from seeping underground.
Besides installation of foundations at the bases of landfills, solidification and stabilization is done to most wastes prior to disposal. Cement is used in the stabilization and solidification process. Cement can be used on many wastes and it is why it is used. Stabilization and solidification improves physical characteristics of the materials while decreasing their toxicity and ability to transmit contaminants.
Flammable materials are often recycled so that they can be put to other uses when their life cycle has elapsed. For instance, most flammable materials are now being recycled into industrial fuel. Additionally, lead acid batteries and electronic circuit boards are also being recycled on a large scale in most developed countries. Ashes from the combustion of certain products are often used as fillings for pavements.
Incineration is another widely used method in disposal. This method is used on almost all kinds of wastes. It is safe and convenient, but requires heavy initial financial commitment. Most companies that produce a lot of wastes usually own their own incineration chambers for disposing the wastes they produce. Modern incinerators are very effective and relatively cheap to maintain.
During the process of incineration, wastes are burned in a huge chamber. The high temperatures in the chamber usually reduce all substances to ash. Combustion takes different amounts of time depending on the kind of substance involved. The chamber is allowed time to cool before it can be opened and emptied.
In the United States, how hazardous wastes are handled is regulated by the RCRA. The RCRA Act categorizes these wastes into two broad categories, that is, characteristic and listed wastes. All kinds of wastes that have passed the test of possessing the traits of ignitability, toxicity, corrosivity, and reactivity are classified under the characteristic category. Those that fall under the listed category are those that regulatory authorities have listed as hazardous. They may be coming from discarded chemical products, specific sources, or non-specific sources.
The production of hazardous wastes occurs in both industrial as well as domestic settings. Although so, the amounts contributed by industrial sources by far outweigh those of domestic applications. Various domestic products contain hazardous wastes in different forms. Some of the products include paints and solvents, aerosols, ammunition, electronics, caustics, pesticides, refrigerant, radioactive wastes, and automotive wastes among many others.
Historically, most wastes of this nature were destined for landfills. However, that changed with the discovery that the materials used to be leaked to water reservoirs under the ground. From the reservoirs, the materials would find a way into natural hydrologic systems. This problem had to be stopped, which necessitated the development of counter measures. One way was to install the sides and bases of landfills with barriers. The barriers stopped materials from seeping underground.
Besides installation of foundations at the bases of landfills, solidification and stabilization is done to most wastes prior to disposal. Cement is used in the stabilization and solidification process. Cement can be used on many wastes and it is why it is used. Stabilization and solidification improves physical characteristics of the materials while decreasing their toxicity and ability to transmit contaminants.
Flammable materials are often recycled so that they can be put to other uses when their life cycle has elapsed. For instance, most flammable materials are now being recycled into industrial fuel. Additionally, lead acid batteries and electronic circuit boards are also being recycled on a large scale in most developed countries. Ashes from the combustion of certain products are often used as fillings for pavements.
Incineration is another widely used method in disposal. This method is used on almost all kinds of wastes. It is safe and convenient, but requires heavy initial financial commitment. Most companies that produce a lot of wastes usually own their own incineration chambers for disposing the wastes they produce. Modern incinerators are very effective and relatively cheap to maintain.
During the process of incineration, wastes are burned in a huge chamber. The high temperatures in the chamber usually reduce all substances to ash. Combustion takes different amounts of time depending on the kind of substance involved. The chamber is allowed time to cool before it can be opened and emptied.
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