Hazardous Materials HAZMATs Chemicals That Present Hazard or Risk –Ignitability: catch fire readily; gasoline –Corrosivity: may corrode storage tanks (e.g. acids) –Reactivity: unstable and may explode or create toxic fumes when mixed with water; explosives, concentrated sulfuric acid –Toxicity: injurious to health; pesticides, chlorine

Toxics Release Inventory Emergency planning and community right-to- know act (EPCRA) 1986; –Industries must report locations and quantities of toxic chemicals stored on site and releases of toxic chemicals: –Inventory results from 1996: 722,000 tons of toxic chemicals released to the air 86,500 tons of toxic chemicals released to the water 11,702,500 tons of hazardous wastes resulting from production of goods 1,066,000 tons of toxic chemicals released to the environment 1,600,000 tons of toxic chemicals from household hazardous wastes

Product Life Cycle

Fate of Toxins Many are broken down by natural processes Two types persist in the environment –Heavy metals –Synthetic organics

Heavy Metals Lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, tin, chromium, zinc, copper. Used in metal-working, paint, and pesticides, among other products Soluble in water and readily absorbed by body. Interfere with enzyme function. Example: mental retardation from lead poisoning.

Synthetic Organics Chemical basis for plastics, synthetic fibers and rubber, solvents, and pesticides. Resistant to biodegradation. Major health effects: carcinogenic and mutagenic. Halogenated hydrocarbons

Toxic Chemical Waste Problems Cleaning up old wastes Managing new wastes Avoiding future wastes

Deep-well Injection

Surface Impoundments

Landfills

How Super Is The Superfund? Advanced cleanup technology –Incineration to burn off contaminants in soil –Cleaning soil with detergent –Bioremediation –Phytoremediation Brownfields Costly and slow

Major Hazardous Waste Laws