One of the types of waste that has the most important manage properly are the so -called hazardous waste. This type of waste can be recyclable or not. However, what characterizes this type of garbage is that they are waste that has a very high risk for both the environment and the health of people and animals. Because of this, these are waste that must be managed in a special way. That is, in a specific way that differentiates them from the rest of usual residues.
In this sense, each type of hazardous residue has an associated management protocol to ensure its correct management and does not become a danger to health or the environment. If you want to know more about hazardous waste, know your classification, some examples and handlingkeep reading Ecology Verde.
Classification of hazardous waste (RP)
The classification of hazardous waste is not unitary. Therefore, according to the regulations taken as a reference, you can find one type of classification or another. However, in most cases, they will be equivalent classifications to each other, since the waste remains the same regardless of the place where they are. In this way, we can consider the following classification as a General classification of the most common hazardous waste:
- Corrosive hazardous waste: These are hazardous waste that has a risk of corroding any surface with which they come in contact. In general, these are waste compounds mainly of acids.
- Hazardous waste by chemical reactivity: In this case, these are hazardous waste because they can corrode the surface with which they contact, or even become explosives. However, these are waste that, for themselves, are not extremely dangerous, but that could become if they react with other substances, for example oxygen.
- Explosive hazardous waste: These are waste that, as the name implies, can explode if they are not managed correctly.
- Flammable hazardous waste: These are especially heat sensitive waste, so they could get out easily.
- Toxic hazardous waste: They are waste whose danger is derived from health toxicity, can be organic or inorganic.
- Radioactive hazardous waste: In this case, these are waste whose danger is derived from the fact that they emit radiation.
Examples of hazardous waste
Once we have seen the main classifications of this waste, we will mention some examples in each of their corresponding categories. These are just some of the Examples of hazardous wastebut these are very broad and varied:
- Corrosive hazardous waste: These waste is characterized by being corrosive when coming into contact with a surface. You can find many examples, especially in relation to acidssuch as sulfuric acid.
- Hazardous waste due to chemical reactivity: These waste is hazardous when they come into contact with other substances that make them react chemically. They can mention substances used in the laboratory, as well as many Heavy metals Among which it is worth highlighting mercury, cadmium or lead among others.
- Explosive hazardous waste: They are waste that can explode when coming into contact with heat sources. The clearest case would be Dynamite or gunpowder.
- Flammable hazardous waste: in this case these are substances that can easily burn, even being explosive in some specific situations. Here we could mention substances such as those derived from the oil or natural gas inter alia.
- Toxic hazardous waste: These are waste that are hazardous for health. In the case of inorganic waste, it could be mentioned substances such as Arsenic or Mercurywhich are considered heavy metals. While in the case of organic, the clearest example is found in the waste of health centers such as hospitals or laboratories.
- Radioactive hazardous waste: They are residues that emit radiation, such as waste from uranium or plutonium. Mainly, it is worth mentioning the waste produced in nuclear plants.
Hazardous waste management
At the time of handle hazardous waste Several factors must be taken into account. First, that only those who have the adequate training To do this. This is the best way to prevent them from managing irresponsibly, since people who handle hazardous waste have received concrete and necessary formation to do so in Mandatory security conditions.
Secondly, we must also mention that the handling of hazardous waste is necessary to always be done with the necessary material and tools. In this sense, it is mainly clothing or equipment that foresees that the hazardous residue may be a threat to the person who handles it and its surroundings.
Finally, it must also be taken into account that each hazardous residue has a concrete way of being handled, which is stipulated by the Management protocols corresponding to each case. As can be understood, it will not be the same to handle radioactive waste than to do it with organic toxic waste. In each case, the protocol and the necessary security measures will be different and concrete, so the management of said waste must be adapted to the protocols established in each case. Likewise, this will happen with each type of dangerous residue in particular.
If you want to read more articles similar to Hazardous waste: classification, examples and handlingwe recommend that you enter our recycling and waste management category.
