Hazardous Waste Characteristics

Solid waste is classified as hazardous if it meets at least one of these two conditions set by EPA:
- it exhibits certain hazardous characteristics;
- it is included on a specific list of wastes EPA has determined are hazardous;
This document presents the characteristics that will assist in identifying hazardous waste. The
document examines only characteristic wastes.

Characteristic Hazardous Waste

Characteristic waste is considered hazardous based on specific properties of the material. The four
basic properties that can define a characteristic waste are ignitability (D001), corrosivity (D002),
reactivity (D003), and toxicity (D004 – D043).

1. Ignatibility

Ignitable wastes can create fires under certain conditions, are spontaneously
combustible, or have a flash point less than 60 °C (140 °F).

Examples of Ignitable Waste

Ignitable liquids: acetone, benzene, acetonitrile, methanol, hexane, ethanol,

isopropanol, xylene, toluene, lacquer thinner, methyl ethyl ketone.

Ignitable compressed gases: hydrogen, acetylene, butane, methane, propane, spray-paint cans.

Oxidizers: ammonium persulfate, potassium permanganate, sodium nitrate, potassium peroxide,

sodium perchlorate, hydrogen peroxide (aqueous solution greater than or equal to 8%).

2. Corrosivity

Corrosive wastes are acids or bases (pH less than or equal to 2, or greater than
or equal to 12.5) and/or are capable of corroding metal containers, such as
storage tanks, drums, and barrels.

Examples of Corrosive Waste

Corrosive aqueous liquids: hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, acetic acid, sulfuric
acid, perchloric acid, potassium hydroxide solution, sodium hydroxide solution.

3. Reactivity

Reactive wastes are unstable under "normal" conditions. They can cause
explosions, undergo violent reactions, generate toxic fumes, gases, or vapors or
explosive mixtures when heated, compressed, or mixed with water.

Examples of Reactive Waste

Sodium metal, lithium metal, potassium metal, picric acid, trinitrobenzene,

concentrated sulfuric acid, amides, metal azides, benzoyl peroxide.
4. Toxicity
 Toxic wastes are harmful or fatal when ingested or absorbed (e.g., containing
mercury, lead, etc.). When toxic wastes are land disposed, contaminated liquid
may leach from the waste and pollute ground water. Toxicity is defined through
a laboratory procedure called the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure
(TCLP).

Because of the unknown and potential hazards associated with

nanomaterials, these wastes must be managed as “nanomaterial-containing waste streams”
with the characteristic of toxicity.

Examples of Toxic Waste

Waste containing the following metals or inorganics above specific limits: antimony, arsenic,
barium, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, lead, mercury, molybdenum, nickel,
selenium, silver, thallium, vanadium, zinc, asbestos, fluorides.

Waste containing the following organic constituents above constituent-specific limits: benzene,
carbon tetrachloride, chlorobenzene, chloroform, cresols, 1,2-dichloroethane, methyl ethyl ketone,
nitrobenzene, pyridine, tetrachloroethylene, trichloroethylene, PCBs.

Created By:

24/7 Waste Removal

Resources:
http://www.epa.gov/osw/hazard/wastetypes/wasteid/char/hw-char.pdf
http://www2.lbl.gov/ehs/waste/wm_pub_3092_ch1.shtml