Disposal of Hazardous Materials

Question 1

Hazardous waste is disposed of legally in the U.S. by;
(4)

Answer 1

1. Discarding on the surface of the land
2. Storing in slurry ponds
3. Dumping into landfills or into the ocean
4. Incineration

Question 2

Some waste disposal sites used before _____ were designed poorly

Answer 2

1970

• Note
  Untreated waste was dumped into open pits or deposited onto land or placed in illegal dumping sites.

Question 3

Sources of Hazardous Materials: Used in the home
(5)

Answer 3

1. Pesticides
2. Cleaning pr
3. Automotive products
4. Painting supplies & other flammable materials
5. Nonflammable products

Question 4

Sources of Hazardous Materials: Medical Waste
(3)

Answer 4

1. Chemicals
2. Medications
3. Infectious agents & radioactive materials

Question 5

Sources of Hazardous Materials: Industrial Hazardous Waste
(3)

Answer 5

1. Heavy metals from plating operations
2. Toxic chemicals, solvents
3. Residues from the manufacturing of pesticides

Question 6

Sources of Hazardous Materials: Mining wastes & extraction wastes
(1)

Answer 6

1. Toxic chemicals left over from mining operations ( includes acids & heavy metals )

Question 7

The Scope of the Hazardous Waste Problem

Answer 7

~400 million tons of hazardous waste (HW) are produced/per year worldwide

• In some countries, industrial & hazardous wastes are being deposited on the open land contributing to the increase level of pollution.
• ** Developed countries produce the vast majority of the toxic waste
• HW from industrialized countries is shipped to developing countries that get cash payments for accepting those materials.
• The environmental impact is the main concern.

Question 8

• The U.N. Environmental Program [ Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes & their Disposal treaty ] came into effect in ____

Answer 8

1989

• 2021 amendment: export of plastic waste

The purpose of this treaty is to regulate the international transport of hazardous wastes & promote the disposal of the waste in a safe manner.

Question 9

Asbestos Abatement

Answer 9

Encapsulation: coated with polymer sealant

Enclosure: building a non-permeable barrier between exposure & surrounding.

Removal: asbestos containing material removed from structure

Question 10

What is the main concern of the U.S. regarding hazardous waste sites?

Answer 10

• The main concern in the U.S. is the presence of toxic materials in uncontrolled hazardous waste sites.
• Approximately 40,000 sites have been reported to federal agencies.
• 1,400 sites are on the National Priorities List (NPL).

Question 11

Who mandates the cleanup of hazardous waste sites?

Answer 11

• Superfund legislation

mandates the cleanup of hazardous waste sites.

Question 12

Impact of Uncontrolled Sites
(4)

Answer 12

-These materials may be released into the environment from uncontrolled hazardous waste sites with potential adverse human effects:

1. Detrimental human health effects
2. High cost of cleanup
3. Reductions in property values
4. Potential ecological damage

Question 13

Medical Waste

Answer 13

• Any solid that is generated in the:

1. Diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of human beings or animlas
2. In research pertaining to thereto (that place)
3. In the production or testing of biologicals

• Before its disposal in landfills, medical waste is decontaminated.

Question 14

How much medical waste does the U.S. produce annually?

Answer 14

U.S. produces ~3.5 million tons of medical waste annually.

(Before disposal, medical waste is decontaminated)