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
!haracteristic waste is considered hazardous based on specific properties of the material The four
basic properties that can define a characteristic waste are ignitability "#$$%&' corrosi(ity "#$$)&'
reacti(ity "#$$*&' and toxicity "#$$+ , #$+*&
1. Ignatibility
-gnitable wastes can create fires under certain conditions' are spontaneously
combustible' or ha(e a flash point less than .$ /! "%+$ /0&
Examples of Ignitable Waste
-gnitable li1uids: acetone' benzene' acetonitrile' methanol' hexane' ethanol'
isopropanol' xylene' toluene' lac1uer thinner' methyl ethyl 2etone
-gnitable compressed gases: hydrogen' acetylene' butane' methane' propane' spray-paint cans
3xidizers: ammonium persulfate' potassium permanganate' sodium nitrate' potassium peroxide'
sodium perchlorate' hydrogen peroxide "a1ueous solution greater than or e1ual to 45&
2. Corrosivity
!orrosi(e wastes are acids or bases "p6 less than or e1ual to )' or greater than
or e1ual to %)7& and8or are capable of corroding metal containers' such as
storage tan2s' drums' and barrels
Examples of Corrosive Waste
!orrosi(e a1ueous li1uids: hydrochloric acid' nitric acid' acetic acid' sulfuric
acid' perchloric acid' potassium hydroxide solution' sodium hydroxide solution
. !eactivity
9eacti(e wastes are unstable under :normal: conditions They can cause
explosions' undergo (iolent reactions' generate toxic fumes' gases' or (apors or
explosi(e mixtures when heated' compressed' or mixed with water
Examples of !eactive Waste
Sodium metal' lithium metal' potassium metal' picric acid' trinitrobenzene'
concentrated sulfuric acid' amides' metal azides' benzoyl peroxide
". #oxicity
Toxic wastes are harmful or fatal when ingested or absorbed "eg' containing
mercury' lead' etc& ;hen toxic wastes are land disposed' contaminated li1uid
may leach from the waste and pollute ground water Toxicity is defined through
a laboratory procedure called the Toxicity !haracteristic <eaching Procedure
"T!<P&
$ecause of the un%no&n and potential hazards associated &ith
nanomaterials' these &astes must be managed as (nanomaterial)containing &aste streams*
&ith the characteristic of toxicity.
Examples of #oxic Waste
;aste containing the following metals or inorganics abo(e specific limits: antimony' arsenic'
barium' beryllium' cadmium' chromium' cobalt' copper' lead' mercury' molybdenum' nic2el'
selenium' sil(er' thallium' (anadium' zinc' asbestos' fluorides
;aste containing the following organic constituents abo(e constituent-specific limits: benzene'
carbon tetrachloride' chlorobenzene' chloroform' cresols' %')-dichloroethane' methyl ethyl 2etone'
nitrobenzene' pyridine' tetrachloroethylene' trichloroethylene' P!=s
Created $y+
2",- Waste !emoval
!esources+
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