Hazardous Waste – A big problem for the environment?

Hazardous waste is an environmental term that is not too familiar to everyone. Even though they appear every day in our daily lives, sometimes we still ignore them. Therefore, in the article below, we will define this term and other aspects of hazardous waste.

I. What is “Hazardous Waste”?

– According to Clause 20, Article 3 of the Law on Environmental Protection 2020: Hazardous waste is waste that contains elements that are toxic, radioactive, infectious, flammable, explosive, corrosive, toxic, or have hazardous properties. other.

– According to the EPA, hazardous waste is waste with properties that make it dangerous or capable of hurting human health or the environment. Hazardous waste is generated from many sources, from industrial manufacturing waste to batteries, and may come in many forms, including liquids, solids gases, and sludges.

II. Why Hazardous Waste is dangerous?

Hazardous wastes are classified based on their biological, chemical, and physical properties. These properties generate materials that are either toxic, reactive, ignitable, corrosive, infectious, or radioactive.

Toxic wastes are poisons, even in very small or trace amounts. They may have acute effects, causing death or violent illness, or they may have chronic effects, slowly causing irreparable harm. Some are carcinogenic, causing cancer after many years of exposure. Others are mutagenic, causing major biological changes in the offspring of exposed humans and wildlife.

Reactive wastes are chemically unstable and react violently with air or water. They cause explosions or form toxic vapors. Ignitable wastes burn at relatively low temperatures and may cause an immediate fire hazard. Corrosive wastes include strong acidic or alkaline substances. They destroy solid material and living tissue upon contact, by chemical reaction.

III. Some examples of Hazardous Waste in normal life

• Aerosol spray; The battery; Cleaners and disinfectants; Medicine; Nail polish and makeup remover; Fertilizer; Pesticides; Cigarette; Glue; Paint and paint thinner; Fuel;…..

=> To solve your household hazardous waste problem, consider switching to products that contain fewer materials considered hazardous. Instead of buying a separate cleaner for a single purpose, buy one product that will help you complete a variety of tasks. Use mineral or water-based paint for crafts, remove weeds in the garden by hand instead of using pesticides, or create your pesticide formula instead of buying one. Of course, items like batteries are often unavoidable, but products like all-purpose household cleaners, dish soap, bug sprays, and laundry detergents have natural or environmentally friendly ingredients. These days it’s relatively easy to find.

[RESOURCES]

1. Jerry A. Nathanson. 2023. Hazardous-waste management. Encyclopædia Britannica. From: https://www.britannica.com/technology/hazardous-waste-management
2. The authors. 2023. Learn the Basics of Hazardous Waste. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. From: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/our-mission-and-what-we-do
3. Katherine Gallagher. 2021. What Is Household Hazardous Waste? Definition, Examples, and How to Dispose of It. From: https://www.treehugger.com/