Nuclear power is the only large-scale energy-producing technology that takes full responsibility for all its waste and fully costs this into the product. The amount of waste generated by nuclear power is very small relative to other thermal electricity generation technologies. Used nuclear fuel may be treated as a resource or simply as waste. Nuclear…
On the family farms of yesteryear, farmers relied on natural processes to fertilize and protect their farms. In the mid-20th century, the Green Revolution brought new technology to farming that allowed farmers to produce more food on less land, relying on chemicals to protect crops and livestock from diseases and pests and causing farms to…
High-risk low-frequency incidents are difficult to prepare for What exactly is a boilover? It is one of the most dangerous flammable liquid fires that firefighters face. Full-surface crude oil fires can have catastrophic consequences if adequate resources, immediate actions, and proper techniques are not executed. Historically speaking, flammable liquid fires have some of the highest…
Health care facilities that provide a host of health care-related services or distribute, sell, or dispense pharmaceuticals will need to learn a whole new set of regulations thanks to a finalized new rule promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The new rule revises management standards for hazardous waste pharmaceuticals (HWPs) for health care facilities,…
EPA considers some leftover household products that can catch fire, react, or explode under certain circumstances, or that are corrosive or toxic as household hazardous waste. Products, such as paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides can contain hazardous ingredients and require special care when you dispose of them. Safe Management of HHW To avoid the…
Hazardous waste threatens human health or the environment if it is carelessly thrown away, dumped into the ground or handled improperly. According to the EPA, solid waste or municipal solid waste (MSW) is commonly known as trash or garbage. It refers to the overall garbage created by a community, including household waste, as well…
Standards This section highlights OSHA standards, preambles to final rules (background to final rules), Federal Register notices (rules, proposed rules, and notices), directives (instruction to OSHA staff), model training programs, and other federal and national consensus standards related to hazardous waste. State Standards There are twenty-eight OSHA-approved State Plans, operating state-wide occupational safety and health programs.…
History When EPA proposed regulations for managing hazardous waste under Subtitle C of Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) on December 18, 1978 (43 FR 58946), the agency deferred hazardous waste requirements for six categories of waste—which EPA termed “special wastes”—until further study and assessment could be completed to determine their risk to human health…
A new report by Allied Market Research forecasts the global waste management market to reach $435 billion by 2023, after being valued at $285 billion in 2016. The report, Global Waste Management Market by Waste Type, and Service: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2017-2023, shows the municipal solid waste market may reach $222.8 billion…
Hazardous wastes are wastes or products that have the potential to harm humans or the environment, either now or in the future. There are many options to help you dispose of household hazardous wastes safely, protect the environment and keep your home safe. Recycling programs are available for some hazardous wastes. Over the last two…
