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Types of Toxic Wastes

Some of the waste we generate, either in our homes or during industrial processes, is too poisonous or hazardous to just throw away with our ordinary waste or to recycle for further use. This waste is called toxic waste and without proper disposal it can contaminate our landfills, groundwater used as drinking water, the environment and the oceans. In addition, toxic waste can cause serious health problems to humans, animals and plants. To protect your family and our environment, you need to know the types of toxic waste that need special disposal procedures.

  1. What Is Toxic Waste?

    • Toxic waste is defined as poisonous byproduct created by product manufacturing, farming, city septic systems, construction, laboratories, hospitals, auto garages or other industries. Toxic waste can be generated by households or industries and it can be in liquid, solid or sludge form and include chemicals, heavy metals, radiation, dangerous pathogens, batteries, used computer equipment, paint and pesticides. Humans, plants and animals can be affected by these toxins if they are buried in the ground, are part of stream runoff, in the groundwater contaminating drinking water or spread by floodwater or other natural disaster phenomena. In addition, some toxic waste materials, such as mercury, remain in the environment for long periods of time and accumulate in the food chain.

    Chemical Waste

    • If you are using chemicals that are identified as hazardous when you buy them or after you use them, you are dealing with toxic chemical waste when you dispose of the chemicals. Chemicals that are labeled as flammable, corrosive, reactive or toxic are always toxic chemical waste. Some of the most common chemical toxic wastes are solvents, laboratory reagents, chemicals used to develop photographs, pesticides, paints and household cleaners.

    Radioactive Waste

    • Radioactive toxic waste includes any waste materials that are used in the process of ionizing radiation substances. Radioactive waste is most often comprised from radioactive rods used to generate nuclear power in a nuclear power plant and cooling water used to cool the same rods as part of nuclear power production.

    Medical Waste

    • Medical waste is defined as any liquid or solid waste material that either was contaminated or might have been contaminated with biological agents or other infectious materials. Most medical waste comes from hospitals, other health care facilities or laboratories where the materials are used to treat or used in research on humans or animals. Medical toxic waste includes bulk blood and other blood products, animal or human tissues, biological agents such as viruses and bacterias, materials such as bandages contaminated with animal or human bodily fluids, instruments such as needles and catheters that cannot be sterilized for further use and items designed to be used only once.

    Toxic Waste Disposal

    • In the United States, the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state environmental protection departments administer toxic waste disposal. If you handle toxic waste, you need to use specific precautions and only use special facilities designated for toxic waste disposal. All toxic waste needs to be sealed in clearly marked containers or heavy garbage bags. Some U.S. cities have a special collection day for household toxic waste but in most cases you have to organize a pick-up from the toxic waste facility and pay for the service. Once toxic waste reaches the appropriate facility, it is often stored in sealed containers in the ground or on top of the ground under a hard clay cap.

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