Hazardous industrial waste specific sources

The K list. The K list designates as hazardous particular wastestreams from certain specific industries. K-list wastes are known as wastes from specific sources. 

The K list of hazardous wastes designates particular wastes from specific sectors of industry and manufacturing as hazardous. The K list wastes are therefore known as wastes from specific sources. Like F list wastes, K list wastes are manufacturing process wastes. They contain chemicals that have been used for their intended purpose. To determine whether a waste qualifies as K-listed, two primary questions must be answered. First, is the facility that created the waste within one of the industrial or manufacturing categories on the K list Second, does the waste match one of the specific K list waste descriptions There are 13 industries that can generate K-list wastes1 2 3 ... 

Generic wastes produced by manufacturing and industrial processes are included in the list of hazardous wastes from non-specific sources. Spent halogenated solvents, bottom sludge from electroplating operations, wastes from various chemicals manufacturing, and the like are examples of hazardous wastes from non-specific sources. These are designated by prefix F [2-4],... 

Hazardous wastes from specific sources - Unless the laboratory is a pilot operation simulating an industrial process, it is unhkely that most research laboratories would fell within this category. Note however, that hazardous chemicals used in a pilot plant operation normally would not be exempt from the regulatory provisions of SARA Title HI, discussed in Section IX.B of this chapter. 

The K-type hazardous wastes are those from specific sources produced by industries such as the manufacture of inorganic pigments, organic chemicals, pesticides, explosives, iron and steel, and nonferrous metals and from processes such as petroleum refining or wood preservation some examples are as follows ... 

Exposure Levels in Humans. Silver has been detected in the blood, tissues, urine, and feces of humans. The only biological monitoring studies located consisted of small numbers of worker populations in chemical manufacturing industries. Studies that better characterize important sources of general population exposure and define populations with potentially high exposure, such as those located near hazardous waste sites, would be helpful. More specific information concerning the chemical from of silver present at hazardous waste sites would also be useful. These data would assist in developing a more accurate estimate of the potential for silver exposure from hazardous waste sites contaminated with the metal. 

A broad spectrum of diseases in children are known (or suspected) to be associated with unhealthy environments. For much of the world, traditional environmental health hazards continue to remain the primary source of ill-health. These include lack of adequate nutrition, poor sanitation, contaminated water, rampant disease vectors (e.g. mosquitoes and malaria), and unsafe waste disposal. In addition, rapid globalization and industrialization coupled with unsustainable patterns of production and consumption have released large quantities of chemical substances into the environment. Although the term environmental exposure can encompass a variety of factors, the focus of this document is specifically on environmental chemical exposures. Most of these substances have not been assessed for potential toxicity to children, nor have the most vulnerable subpopulations of children been identified. The incidence of a number of important paediatric diseases and disorders (e.g. asthma, neurobehavioural impairment) is increasing in several parts of the world. Although a variety of factors are likely to be involved, this may be due, in part, to the quality of the environment in which children live, grow, and play. 

Waste Audits The company must identify the processes, the products, and the waste streams in which (hazardous) chemicals are used. Mass balances of specific (hazardous) chemicals will help to identify source reduction opportunities. Engineering interns could be very valuable in conducting such audits. An outside person can achieve significant progress in this area as well, due to the fact that he or she may be able to cut through some of the management and personnel barriers of the industry. 

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