Unit 3: Water and Waste Day 7: Hazardous Waste
Hazardous Waste- Scale Level 3 Level 2 3C: Evaluate various ways of managing hazardous waste. 2C: Identify and describe hazardous concepts: - examples of hazardous waste - management strategies; deep well injection surface impoundments hazardous waste landfills -relevant laws: Superfund Act and RCRA
Why don t we shoot it into space?? https://www.nytimes.com/video/us/100000003202697/watch-space-station-rocket-explode.html
What is hazardous waste? Any type of waste that can be dangerous or hazardous to human health or the environment Include: solids, liquids, contained gases, and sludges
Types of hazardous chemicals: Corrosive Strong acids or bases that can corrode (or break down) metal pipes or containers Examples: Battery Acid
Types of hazardous chemicals: Reactive Waste that is unstable under normal conditions Can cause explosions, toxic fumes, gases, vapors when heated, compressed or mixed with water Examples: Lithium Batteries Explosives
Types of hazardous chemicals: Discarded Commercial Products Any unused chemicals products that are used/created for sales Examples: Pesticides Pharmaceutical (medicines) Bug Spray Cleaning De-greasers
Types of hazardous chemicals: Ignitable Waste that can create fire under certain conditions Can spontaneously combust Examples: Oils Used solvents
Types of hazardous chemicals: Mutagens Physical or chemical agents that can alter the genetic material (DNA) of an organism Carcinogen (cancer-causing) Example Nitrous Acid Bromine Sodium Azide (found in air bags) Benzene- used to make plastic, rubber, gasoline
Types of hazardous chemicals: Teratogens Substances found in the environment that can cause birth defects Examples: Ethanol (drinking alcohol) Radioactive compounds Lithium Mercury Tobacco Excess caffeine
Types of hazardous chemicals: Toxic Anything that is harmful or fatal when ingested or absorbed If disposed on land, chemicals may leach from waste and into groundwater Examples: Mercury Lead
How to deal with hazardous waste: hazardous waste landfills Landfills that are specifically created for hazardous waste Must be capped to prevent contaminants from spreading Minimize water movement through waste Resist damage caused by waste settling in ground Prevent standing water so surrounding soil/water maintains healthy levels Pros: Inexpensive Cons: Groundwater seepage and contamination
How to deal with hazardous waste: Surface impoundment Shallow ponds that get filled with hazardous waste Lined to prevent corrosion of the pond Pro: Low cost Low operating costs Built quickly Can be stored for a long time Cons: Groundwater contamination from spilling Overflow if flooding or earthquakes occur Promotes waste production
How to deal with hazardous waste: Deep Well injection Hazardous waste injected into porous rocks below the ground Must be located 6 ft above the water table Most often used when hazardous waste is a liquid Salt water, waste water or water mixed with chemicals Pros: Low cost Waste can be retrieved Simple Cons: Leaks Groundwater
THE LOVE CANAL IS BACK! Near Niagra Falls Hazardous waste (included nuclear waste) seeped into houses from below the ground Effects: Birth defects Cancer Children had lead in blood Why they had problems: Landfills were NOT lined or capped
Must Follow Law: The Superfund Act Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) Environmental Response: Must keep hazardous waste out of the environment Compensation: Companies who make the mess are responsible for cleaning it up Liability: The government collects money collected from industries to pay for the clean-up of the waste