According to National Geographic’s article “Toxic Waste, Explained,” hazardous, or toxic, waste is the potentially dangerous byproduct of various activities, including manufacturing, farming, water treatment, construction, automotive services, laboratories, hospitals, and other industries. This waste can be in the form of liquid, solid, or sludge, and may contain chemicals, heavy metals, radiation, pathogens, or other harmful materials. Even households contribute to hazardous waste through items such as batteries, used computer equipment, and leftover paints or pesticides.
Toxic waste poses significant risks to people, animals, and plants, whether it contaminates the ground, streams, or the air. Some toxins, such as mercury and lead, are particularly concerning as they persist in the environment for many years and accumulate over time. Humans and wildlife can absorb these toxic substances through the food chain, often by consuming contaminated fish or other prey.
Historically, hazardous wastes were loosely regulated, leading to substantial contamination of communities and the environment. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has overseen toxic waste management since 1976, along with state departments of environmental protection. The EPA mandates that hazardous waste be handled with special precautions and disposed of in designated facilities. Many towns now have special collection days for household hazardous waste.
A typical hazardous waste facility stores the material in sealed containers underground. Less toxic waste, such as soil containing lead, may remain in place and be sealed with a hard clay cap. These sites can eventually be repurposed for golf courses, parks, or labeled as “brownfields” for commercial or industrial use.
Illegal dumping of untreated hazardous waste to avoid disposal fees can result in hefty fines or jail time. Many hazardous waste sites that still pose a threat are remnants from the era before 1976, while others result from recent illegal dumping activities.
The U.S. federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act regulates the handling and storage of hazardous waste. However, community activists and environmentalists often criticize what they perceive as lax enforcement of these regulations by federal and state governments. They highlight issues of environmental racism, noting that toxic waste sites are disproportionately located in or near low-income and communities of color, which often lack resources to oppose such activities.
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Article with all rights reserved, courtesy of nationalgeographic.com
