Hazardous Wastes

A hazardous waste is one that can cause or contribute to death or illness or that threatens human health or the environment when improperly managed.

Hazardous wastes are divided into four types: reactive, flammable, toxic, and corrosive. A reactive waste tends to react spontaneously or to react vigorously with air or water. A flammable waste burns readily on ignition, presenting a fire hazard. A toxic waste contains or releases toxic substances in quantities sufficient to pose a hazard to human health or to the environment.
A corrosive waste is one that requires special containers because it corrodes conventional container materials. The best way to handle hazardous wastes is not to produce them in the first place. This is a major focus of green chemistry processes. If a hazardous waste cannot be used or incinerated or treated to render it less hazardous, it must be stored in a secure landfill.The best technology at present for treating organic wastes, including chlorinated compounds, is incineration. Scientists have identified microorganisms that degrade hydrocarbons such as those in gasoline. Perhaps biodegradation will be the way of the future.