Hazardous waste identifying

Two properties of corrosivity have been identified by the US EPA, either of which can render a solid waste a hazardous waste, identified by the waste code D002. An aqueous solid waste that has a pH <2 or 12.5, as measured by a specified test, is a corrosive hazardous waste. Likewise, a liquid solid waste that corrodes steel at a rate 6.35 mm year at 55 C, as measured by a specified test, is also a corrosive hazardous waste. 

It exhibits any of the characteristics of hazardous waste identified in Subpart C ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, and toxicity... 

Assessment Phase The assessment phase aims to collect data needed to identify and analyze pollution-prevention opportunities. Assessment of the facility s waste-reduction needs includes the examination of hazardous waste streams, process operations, and the identification of techniques that often promise the reduction of waste generation. Information is often derived from obsei vations made during a facihty walk-through, interviews with employees (e.g., operators, line workers), and review of site or regulatory records. One professional organization suggests the following information sources be reviewed, as available (Ref. 7) ... 

Now you can reconsider the material balance equations by adding those additional factors identified in the previous step. If necessary, estimates of unaccountable losses will have to be calculated. Note that, in the case of a relatively simple manufacturing plant, preparation of a preliminary material-balance system and its refinement (Steps 14 and 15) can usefully be combined. For more-complex P2 assessments, however, two separate steps are likely to be more appropriate. An important rule to remember is that the inputs should ideally equal the outputs - but in practice this will rarely be the case. Some judgment will be required to determine what level of accuracy is acceptable, and we should have an idea as to what the unlikely sources of errors are (e.g., evaporative losses from outside holding ponds may be a materials loss we cannot accurately account for). In the case of high concentrations of hazardous wastes, accurate measurements are needed to develop cost-effective waste-reduction options. It is possible that the material balance for a number of unit operations will need to be repeated. Again, continue to review, refine, and, where necessary, expand your database. The compilation of accurate and comprehensive data is essential for a successful P2 audit and subsequent waste-reduction action plan. Remember - you can t reduce what you don t know is therel... 

Enter one of the following codes to identify the type of treatment or disposal method used by the off-site location for the chemical being reported. You should use more than one line for a single location when the toxic chemical is subject to different disposal methods the same location code may be used more than once. You may have this information in your copy of EPA Form SO, Item S of the Annual/Biennial Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Report (RCRA). Applicable codes for Part III, Section 6(c) are as follows ... 

The HASP, on the other hand, foeuses on the site-speeifie aetivities and outlines the appropriate elements of the site s existing health and safety program to the related task. The existing programs are reviewed to identify those elements meeting the needs of the planned site aetivity. Program elements and proeedures are supplemented with worksite-speeifie detail and tailored to meet speeial or unique aspeets of the hazardous waste aetivity on an as-needed basis [1]. 

Before work aetivity begins, all employees required to partieipate in a medieal surveillanee program for hazardous waste aetivities should undergo a baseline medieal examination (a physieal exam). This exam should be based on speeifie hazards identified during the preliminary hazard assessment. Periodie follow-up exams are required at the disere-tion of the attending physieian. Typieally, these follow-ups are eompleted annually, however, they ean be adjusted to more often or less often dependent on the exposure [1]. 

The use of proper PPE is an integral part of many jobs when dealing with hazardous waste. OSHA standard 1910.132 of 1998 requires an assessment be eondueted to determine the appropriate PPE for eyes, faee, head, and extremities whenever hazards eneountered are eapable of eausing injury or impairment in the funetion of any part of the body through absorption, inhalation, or physieal eontaet. Aeeording to the PPE standard, it is the employer s responsibility to determine if hazards are present (or likely to be present). If the employer determines that hazards are present, the employer should ehoose the types of PPE that will proteet affeeted employees from the hazards identified in the hazard assessment [1]. 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identifies the most serious hazardous waste sites in the nation. These sites make up the National Priorities List (NPL) and are the sites targeted for long-term federal cleanup activities. Methyl parathion has been found in at least 16 of the 1,585 current or former NPL sites. However, the total number of NPL sites evaluated for this substance is not known. As more sites are evaluated, the sites at which methyl parathion is found may increase. This information is important because exposure to this substance may harm you and because these sites may be sources of exposure. 

Populations residing near hazardous waste disposal sites may be subject to higher levels of methyl parathion in environmental media (i.e., air, groundwater, soil) than those experienced by the general population. Methyl parathion has been identified in at least 16 of the 1,585 hazardous waste sites that have been proposed for inclusion on the EPA National Priorities List (NPL). However, the number of sites evaluated for methyl parathion is not known. As more sites are evaluated, the number of sites where methyl parathion has been detected may increase. 

PBPK models improve the pharmacokinetic extrapolations used in risk assessments that identify the maximal (i.e., the safe) levels for human exposure to chemical substances (Andersen and Krishnan 1994). PBPK models provide a scientifically sound means to predict the target tissue dose of chemicals in humans who are exposed to environmental levels (for example, levels that might occur at hazardous waste sites) based on the results of studies where doses were higher or were administered in different species. Figure 3-4 shows a conceptualized representation of a PBPK model. 

Methyl parathion has been released to the environment mainly as a result of its use as an insecticide on crops. It is applied to agricultural crops by aerial or ground spraying equipment. Methyl parathion has been detected in surface waters and sediments, rainwater, aquatic organisms, and food. There are no known natural sources of the compound. Methyl parathion has been identified in at least 16 of the 1,585 hazardous waste sites on the NPL (HazDat 2001). 

Endosulfan (one or both of its isomers) has been identified in a variety of environmental media (air, surface water, groundwater, soil, and sediment) collected at 164 of the 1,577 NPL hazardous waste sites (HazDat 2000). 

Endosulfan has been identified in 162 soil and 45 sediment samples collected at 131 of the 164 NPL hazardous waste sites where it was detected in some environmental media (HazDat 2000). 

These substance-specific estimates, which are intended to serve as screening levels, are used by ATSDR health assessors to identify contaminants and potential health effects that may be of concern at hazardous waste sites. It is important to note that MRLs are not intended to define clean-up or action levels. 

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