Chapter 4 Land and Soil Resources Section 3 Hazardous Wastes Notes 4-3

Hazardous Wastes Material that can be harmful to human health or the environment if not properly stored, transported, treated or disposed of Can result from many different things Agriculture Industry Military operations Hospitals (laboratories)

Types of Hazardous Wastes Toxic: (poisonous) Wastes that can damage the health of humans or other organisms Explosive: React very quickly when exposed to air or water; can explode when dropped Flammable: Catches fire easily and can burn at low temps. Corrosive: Dissolve or break down many materials Radioactive: Contain unstable atoms

Radioactive Wastes Unstable atoms give off radiation Can cause cancer or other serious disease Two types of wastes High level: used fuel from nuclear reactors Low level: radioactive material is mined and processed Can remain dangerous for thousands of years ements/Radioactive/index.s7.html ements/Radioactive/index.s7.html

Health Effects of Hazardous Wastes Determined by: How much one has been exposed to… How long the exposure lasted… Person’s age, weight and health all determine how it affects that person Short term exposure causes irritation or more severe health problems Breathing difficulty, internal bleeding, paralysis, coma, possibly death Long term exposure causes cancer, damage to organs Effects may be life threatening

Disposal of Hazardous Wastes Can dispose of hazardous wastes in a few different ways Secure landfills: lined with concrete and many layers of plastic Incineration: can be burned at very high temps Breakdown by living organisms: bacteria, algae and fungi can break down some wastes Pumping into the ground: into sandstone or limestone deep in the ground Recycling: some can be recycled like battery acid and motor oil

Disposal of Radioactive Wastes Have only found temporary ways to dispose of radioactive wastes Mixing them with concrete Sealing them in abandoned mine shafts Sealing them in concrete vaults deep underground or thick concrete or steel containers above ground Nothing is permanent and completely safe

Location of Disposal Sites Because of the danger, no one wants to work or live near a disposal site One large disposal site is mostly like the favorite choice Transportation is costly and dangerous Many small facilities are harder to regulate but cheaper, safer and easier to transport to

Reducing Hazardous Wastes Find safer alternatives to using hazardous wastes Bug spray vs citronella candles Furniture polish (w/beeswax or lemon oil) vs furniture polish (w/petroleum oil) Companies are looking for ways to make formaldehyde-free products Carpet, air fresheners, curtains, plush furniture all have formaldehyde in them