Introduction
You’ve probably heard the term ‘Hazardous waste’ and thought it has a scary ring to it. Well, that’s because it does, the word and all it entails should make us as individuals and cooperations do better. Do better at managing and properly disposing of these kinds of toxic materials because we would be inadvertently saving our own lives and those of the generation yet unborn. Now back to the issue subject of focus.
Hazardous waste as we all know takes several forms; it could be in gaseous, liquid, or solid forms and it could also take the form of sludges. Generally, these harmful waste materials are brought forth by industrial activities, chemical manufacturing, and/or production companies. They are prone to cause damage through improper treatment, storage transportation, storage, and disposal. Many emphases have been placed upon the latter because it’s been one of the major contributors to water and land pollution and even climate change.
The issue of hazardous waste has lingered over the years. As governments around the world have made laws regulating and trying to mitigate the impact of hazardous waste in societies around the world. In the same vein, several pro-environment companies work with hazardous waste clean-up. This goes to show the level of importance of hazardous waste and in that light, you should prioritize its handling if perchance you work in any industry that emits hazardous waste. You could also engage the services of competent professionals.
Characteristics of Hazardous Waste
More often than not, Hazardous wastes are grouped based on their physical, chemical, and biological properties. The said properties bring about material that could be corrosive, toxic, radioactive, ignitable, reactive, or infectious.
Even in their smallest amount, toxic wastes could be very poisonous. And they may have fatal and unrepairable effects on those who are exposed to them. These effects could be either instantaneous or accrue over time. Some of the characteristics of waste will be highlighted as follows
Reactive tendencies: in this sense, when hazardous waste is said to be reactive then it is chemically unbalanced and could react very violently when exposed to water or air. That said they could also cause explosions given their violent tendencies.
Corrosiveness: Hazardous wastes have caustically destructive tendencies. Such waste materials include alkaline and strong acidic substances. They can very well destroy living organisms and even solid materials just by unprotected contact.
Ignitable tendencies: these kinds of waste burn at quite a low temperature and could be quick to start a fire. That is of course if it isn’t very well handled and or managed.
Infectious tendencies: through materials such as – hypodermics, bandages, and or materials used in biological facilities or hospitals – hazardous waste has an infectious tendency and could spread across many people if not properly contained.
Radioactivity: hazardous waste in this sense emits dangerously ionizing energy, and this is very harmful to the lives of humans, plants, and animals. These types of hazardous waste are particularly alarming because radioactive materials can lurk for hundred of thousands of years before decaying.
Managing Hazardous Waste
Recycling remains one of the major and most efficient ways of managing hazardous waste. However, this is not a task that could be taken up by anyone with the necessary nous. That said for proper storage, transporting, treatment, and eventual management of hazardous waste. You should engage the services of a professional hazardous waste company.