BEC 210/CIVE 2302:

INTRODUCTION TO
ENVIRONMENTAL
ENGINEERING CHAPTER 9:
INTRODUCTION
TO HAZARDOUS
WASTE
MANAGEMENT
 DEFINITION: HAZARDOUS WASTE

Anything which, because of its quantity,

concentration, or physical, chemical, or
infectious characteristics may cause, or
significantly contribute to, an increase in
mortality; or cause an increase in serious
irreversible, or incapacitating reversible,
illness; pose a substantial present or
potential hazard to human health and the
environment when improperly treated,
stored, transported, or disposed of, or
otherwise managed
 4 CATEGORIES OF HAZARDOUS
WASTE:

 Corrosive (pH less than 2.0 or

greater than 12.5)
 Ignitable – also known as
flammable; oxidizers
 Reactive (i.e. shock sensitive,
water reactive)
 Toxic – very broad category;
includes metals (Mercury),
organics (Methylene Chloride)
 4 CATEGORIES OF HAZARDOUS
WASTE: CORROSIVES

 Corrosive (pH less than 2.0 or

greater than 12.5)
 Examples include:
Hydrochloric acid, Sulfuric
Acid, Sodium Hydroxide
 4 CATEGORIES OF HAZARDOUS
WASTE: IGNITABLES

 Ignitable – also known as

flammables; Examples
include: Acetone, Toluene,
Xylene
 Any waste material with a
flashpoint < 140° F.
 Includes oxidizers (Sodium
nitrate, potassium
permanganate)
 4 CATEGORIES OF HAZARDOUS
WASTE: REACTIVES

 Reactive: Includes shock

sensitive (lithium and
sodium, water reactive
(calcium carbide,
spontaneously combustible,
peroxide-forming (ethyl ether)
and potentially explosive
chemicals (dry picric acid).
 4 CATEGORIES OF HAZARDOUS
WASTE: TOXICS

 Toxic – very broad category;

 Includes metals, such as
mercury, lead and
compounds such as
Methylene Chloride,
Chloroform.
 Includes acutely toxic
chemicals, which are very
dangerous (i.e.arsenic and
cyanide compounds..
 HOW DO YOU KNOW IF A MATERIAL IS
CONSIDERED A HAZARDOUS WASTE?
 The burden of proof is on the generator,
not the disposal contractor.
 The material safety data sheet (MSDS)
or original container labeling are good
starting points.
 Unlabeled containers present a number
of problems
 When in doubt, assume worst case and
manage as a hazardous waste.
 Contact EHS for guidance.
HAZARDOUS WASTE
 CATEGORIES OF HAZARDOUS WASTE

Hazardous waste determinations are based

upon whether the material is a:
 Characteristic waste
 Listed on the D-list or TCLP (Toxicity Characteristic Leaching
Procedure)
 Listed waste
 Materials specifically identified on one of the following lists: F, K, U
or P lists
 Universal waste
 Batteries, lamps, pesticides, mercury from thermometers

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 CHARACTERISTIC WASTES

 D001 – Ignitable Wastes (flashpoint is less than

140º F) includes oxidizers
 D002 – Corrosive Wastes (pH less than or equal to
2 or greater than or equal to 12.5)
 D003 – Reactive Wastes (water reactive,
normally unstable materials, cyanides &
sulfides, etc)
 D004 – TCLP Wastes

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 LISTED WASTES

F-listed wastes are from non-specific

sources
 Example: halogenated solvents used to degrease
equipment
K-listed wastes are from specific sources
 Example: petroleum refining or pesticide manufacturing
U-listed wastes are toxic wastes
P-listed wastes are acutely hazardous
wastes

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 EXAMPLES OF U-LISTED WASTES

Acetaldehyde 1,4-Dioxane
Acetone Ethyl acetate
Acetonitrile Ethyl ether
Aniline Formaldehyde
Benzene Methyl alcohol
Bromoform Methylene chloride
1-Butanol Phenol
Chloroform Toluene

U-listed chemicals are commonly found in labs

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EXAMPLES OF P-LISTED WASTES

Allyl alcohol Osmium tetroxide

Ammonium vanadate Phenylthiourea
Arsenic acid Potassium cyanide
Arsenic trioxide Sodium azide
Carbon disulfide Sodium cyanide
2,4-Dinitrophenol Thiosemicarbazide
Fluorine Vanadium oxide
Nitric oxide Vanadium pentoxide

P-listed chemicals are also fairly common in labs

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 UNIVERSAL WASTES

Universal wastes include the following

materials that are commonly found in the
workplace
 Batteries
 Fluorescent lamps
 Pesticides
 Thermometers (containing mercury)

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 HAZARDOUS WASTE TREATMENT

 It was begin from the generator site to a secure

long-term storage facility
 The waste can be stabilized, detoxified and
rendered harmless through the treatment process
 The treatment process consists of chemical
stabilization/fixation, volume reduction, waste
segregation, detoxification, degradation and
encapsulation
 TREATMENT PROCESS:

1 . Chemical stabilization/fixation
 Chemicals are mixed up with waste sludge, the mixture is
pumped onto land and solidification take place for several days
or weeks
 Pollutants are chemically bound in insoluble complexes
 Asphalt-like compounds form the cages around the waste
molecules while grout and cement trapped the substances
 Chemical stabilization digging up and moving large quantities
of hazardous waste
 TREATMENT PROCESS:

2. Volume reduction
 The volume reduction is done through the
incineration process.
3. Waste segregation
 Before transfer wastes to storage facilities, wastes
are segregated by type and chemical characteristics
4. Detoxification
 It can be done through the neutralization, ion
exchange, incineration, aerated lagoon and waste
stabilization ponds
 TREATMENT PROCESS:

5. Degradation
 It will rendered to less hazardous
Chemical degradation
 It is in form chemical detoxification.
 It may include hydrolysis which destroys
organophosphorus and carbonate pesticides while
chemical dechlorination destroys some
polychlorinated pesticides
Biological degradation
 Landfarming as an example rely on microorganisms
to metabolize the waste components
 TREATMENT PROCESS:

6. Encapsulation
 It used 55-gallon steel drum (the primary container
for liquids), clays, plastics and asphalt to solidify the
waste
 Several layers of different materials are often
recommended for the outside of the drum, such as
an inch or more of polyurethane foam to prevent
corrosion.
 TRANSPORTATION OF HAZARDOUS WASTE

1. Haulers
 Schedules for relicensing haulers and checking
equipment are part an overall program for ensuring
proper transport of hazardous wastes.
 The Chemical Manufacturer's Association and
USDOT operate a training program for operators of
long-distance vehicles hauling hazardous materials.
 TRANSPORTATION OF HAZARDOUS WASTE

2. Hazardous waste manifest

It serves four major purposes:

 it provides the government with a means of tracking waste
within a given state and of determining quantities, types, and
locations where the waste originates and is ultimately
disposed of;
 it certifies that wastes being hauled are accurately described
to the manager of the processing/disposing facility;
 it provides information for recommended emergency response
if a copy of the manifest is not returned to the generator;
 it provides a database for future planning within a state.
 TRANSPORTATION OF HAZARDOUS WASTE

3. Labeling and placarding

 Before the waste being transported, the container is labeled

and the transportation vehicle is placarded
 The labeled should have the warning information
 TRANSPORTATION OF HAZARDOUS WASTE

4. Accident and incident reporting

 Accidents involving hazardous wastes must be reported

immediately to state regulatory agencies and local health
of ficials.
 It must indicate the amount of materials released, the
hazards of these materials, and the nature of the failure that
caused the accident may be instrumental in containing the
spilled waste and in cleaning the site. For example, if liquid
waste can be contained, groundwater and surface water
pollution may be avoided.
THANK YOU