What are hazardous materials?
What are hazardous materials?
Any waste that poses substantial or potential threats to public health or the environment. In the United States, the treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous waste is regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
Hazardous wastes are materials that are known or tested to exhibit one or more of the following four hazardous traits:
- Ignitability
- Reactivity
- Corrosivity
- Toxicity
Some common hazardous wastes are:
- Paints and solvents
- Automotive wastes – oil, fuel, antifreeze
- Pesticides
- Mercury-containing wastes – thermostats, thermometers
- Electronics – computers, cellphones, televisions
- Aerosols
- Fuels – oil, gas, diesel, kerosene
- Ammunition
- Radioactive wastes