Different kinds of wastes are being produced in households, industries, and commercial workplaces in large amounts. Hazardous wastes are among the wastes being produced. These wastes are referred to by that named because they are a threat to public health and the surroundings. In most developed states, hazardous waste disposal gets regulated by government agencies under very strict laws.
In the US, RCRA handles the regulation of hazardous materials. The RARC Act places these materials into two major groups as either listed or characteristic wastes. Wastes of all forms, which have been verified to have capability of corrosivity, reactivity, toxicity, and ignitability, are placed below the characteristic category. On the contrary, listed wastes are ones relevant authorities feel like they should be listed as dangerous. They originate from non-specific sources, discarded chemical products, and specific sources.
The production of hazardous wastes occurs in both industrial as well as domestic settings. Although so, the amounts contributed by industrial sources by far outweigh those of domestic applications. Various domestic products contain hazardous wastes in different forms. Some of the products include paints and solvents, aerosols, ammunition, electronics, caustics, pesticides, refrigerant, radioactive wastes, and automotive wastes among many others.
Historically, most wastes of this nature were destined for landfills. However, that changed with the discovery that the materials used to be leaked to water reservoirs under the ground. From the reservoirs, the materials would find a way into natural hydrologic systems. This problem had to be stopped, which necessitated the development of counter measures. One way was to install the sides and bases of landfills with barriers. The barriers stopped materials from seeping underground.
Besides installation of foundations at the bases of landfills, solidification and stabilization is done to most wastes prior to disposal. Cement is used in the stabilization and solidification process. Cement can be used on many wastes and it is why it is used. Stabilization and solidification improves physical characteristics of the materials while decreasing their toxicity and ability to transmit contaminants.
Flammable materials are often recycled so that they can be put to other uses when their life cycle has elapsed. For instance, most flammable materials are now being recycled into industrial fuel. Additionally, lead acid batteries and electronic circuit boards are also being recycled on a large scale in most developed countries. Ashes from the combustion of certain products are often used as fillings for pavements.
Another method that is used widely to dispose wastes is incineration. The method is suitable for almost all forms of wastes. Although safe, fast, efficient, and convenient, the financial commitment required at first is very high. This makes it expensive. Large companies involved in production of large amounts of wastes own incineration chambers. Efficiency in modern-day incinerators is very high and they are relatively cheaper to maintain.
Substances are burned in a large chamber during incineration. All substances are turned to ash by high temperatures the chambers operate at. The duration for combustion varies with the nature of substance in question. Emptying of the chamber is only done after enough time has been allowed for it to cool.
In the US, RCRA handles the regulation of hazardous materials. The RARC Act places these materials into two major groups as either listed or characteristic wastes. Wastes of all forms, which have been verified to have capability of corrosivity, reactivity, toxicity, and ignitability, are placed below the characteristic category. On the contrary, listed wastes are ones relevant authorities feel like they should be listed as dangerous. They originate from non-specific sources, discarded chemical products, and specific sources.
The production of hazardous wastes occurs in both industrial as well as domestic settings. Although so, the amounts contributed by industrial sources by far outweigh those of domestic applications. Various domestic products contain hazardous wastes in different forms. Some of the products include paints and solvents, aerosols, ammunition, electronics, caustics, pesticides, refrigerant, radioactive wastes, and automotive wastes among many others.
Historically, most wastes of this nature were destined for landfills. However, that changed with the discovery that the materials used to be leaked to water reservoirs under the ground. From the reservoirs, the materials would find a way into natural hydrologic systems. This problem had to be stopped, which necessitated the development of counter measures. One way was to install the sides and bases of landfills with barriers. The barriers stopped materials from seeping underground.
Besides installation of foundations at the bases of landfills, solidification and stabilization is done to most wastes prior to disposal. Cement is used in the stabilization and solidification process. Cement can be used on many wastes and it is why it is used. Stabilization and solidification improves physical characteristics of the materials while decreasing their toxicity and ability to transmit contaminants.
Flammable materials are often recycled so that they can be put to other uses when their life cycle has elapsed. For instance, most flammable materials are now being recycled into industrial fuel. Additionally, lead acid batteries and electronic circuit boards are also being recycled on a large scale in most developed countries. Ashes from the combustion of certain products are often used as fillings for pavements.
Another method that is used widely to dispose wastes is incineration. The method is suitable for almost all forms of wastes. Although safe, fast, efficient, and convenient, the financial commitment required at first is very high. This makes it expensive. Large companies involved in production of large amounts of wastes own incineration chambers. Efficiency in modern-day incinerators is very high and they are relatively cheaper to maintain.
Substances are burned in a large chamber during incineration. All substances are turned to ash by high temperatures the chambers operate at. The duration for combustion varies with the nature of substance in question. Emptying of the chamber is only done after enough time has been allowed for it to cool.
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