Hazardous Waste Chapter 19.3

• Contains toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic compounds

• Catch fire easily

• Explosive or release toxic fumes

• Capable of corroding metal containers

Examples

• Dyes, cleansers

• Gasoline, paints, solvents

• Metals

• Pesticides

• Acids, bases, ammonia, chlorine bleach

• Oven and drain cleaners

• Lead

Hazardous waste sites

• Love Canal– Niagara Falls, NY

Local Superfund sites

Name 3 household hazardous wastes

• Motor Oil Computers• Mobile phones Paints• Pesticides Cleaners• Fertilizers Batteries

Hazardous Waste Legislation

• 1976 - RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act):

– Requires producers of hazardous wastes to keep records

– Also require liner in landfills– PRODUCERS OF HAZARDOUS WASTE ARE

RESPONSIBLE FOR SAFE DISPOSAL

Hazardous Waste Legislation

• 1980 - CRCLA (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act):

– Gives the EPA the right to sue companies for cleanup costs

– Establishes a fund to clean up abandoned waste sites = SUPERFUND