Hazardous Waste

 

Hazardous waste is any waste material with properties that make it dangerous or capable of having harmful effects on human health or the environment. Hazardous wastes are those that may contain harmful and toxic substances like heavy metals that are generated from Industries, hospitals and even some types of domestic waste. The concern towards hazardous waste management was stimulated by undesired massive health effects that were noticed in the neighborhood of Niagara Falls in New York State in the United States in the 1970s. These wastes could be corrosive, inflammable, explosive, or react when exposed to other materials. Some hazardous wastes are highly toxic to the environment including humans, animals, and plants. It comprises the waste generated during the manufacturing processes of the commercial products such as industries involved in petroleum refining, production of pharmaceuticals, petroleum, paint, aluminum, electronic products etc. Hazardous Waste management is a major challenge in urban areas throughout the world. Without an effective and efficient waste management program, the waste generated from various human activities, both industrial and domestic, can result in health hazards and have a negative impact on the environment. Hazardous waste management, the collection, treatment, and disposal of waste material that, when improperly handled, can cause substantial harm to human health and safety or to the environment. Hazardous wastes can take the form of solids, liquids, sludges, or contained gases, and they are generated primarily by chemical production, manufacturing, and other industrial activities. They may cause damage during inadequate storage, transportation, treatment, or disposal operations. Improper hazardous waste storage or disposal frequently contaminates surface water and groundwater supplies as harmful water pollution and can also be a source of dangerous land pollution. People living in homes built near old and abandoned waste disposal sites may be in a particularly vulnerable position. In an effort to remedy existing problems and to prevent future harm from hazardous waste, governments closely regulate the practice of hazardous waste management. Hazardous waste is generated from many sources, Solid Waste Management 32 ranging from industrial manufacturing process wastes to batteries and may come in many forms, including liquids, solids gases, and sludges.

CONCERNS ABOUT HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT

There are a lot of problems that should be kept in our mind before the disposal of hazardous waste appropriately. These problems could be the death causing for humans or animals. They may cause damage during inadequate storage, transportation, treatment, or disposal operations. Hazardous waste management is a critical aspect of protecting human health and the environment. 

There is some of the points that shows the concern related to Hazardous waste management. 

• cause of mass life and material damage and loss (disability, death, fire, explosion); 
• cause of environmental damages: potential water, solid, and air pollution (underground and surface drinking water); 
• cause of potential increased chemical bioaccumulation that is hard for biodegradability (chlorine containing chemicals); 
•  cause of long-term irreversible health risks (mutagenicity, teratogenicity, and carcinogenicity)
• high concern of trans-boundary movement of toxic wastes; 
• cause of massive toxic health damage. 
• Surface water and ground water contamination.  
• Land pollution 
• Abandoned sites  
• Health Risks 
• Toxic waste can be lethal and can cause chronic harm