Definitions of Waste and Toxic SubstancesDr. Shamsul Bahari ShamsudinEnvironmental Health UnitDepartment of Community HealthFaculty of Medical and Health SciencesUNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA

GENERAL DEFINITIONS

Toxic SubstancesAgents that make you sick after too much exposure. (example: DDT, methyl-mercury, etc)

Hazardous SubstancesInclude toxic agents, plus those that burn, react energetically or wreck the environment. (example: PCB, dioxin, etc)

EPA DEFINITIONS

Toxic ChemicalsChemicals whose total emissions or releases must be reported annually by owners & operators of certain facilities that manufacture, process or otherwise use a listed toxic chemicals. (example: methyl iscocyanate)

Hazardous WasteA solid waste or combination of solid wastes, which because of its quantity, concentration or physical, chemical or infectious characteristics may :

I.cause or significantly contribute to an increase in mortality or an increase in serious irreversible or incapacitating reversible illness; or

II.pose a substantial present or potential hazard to human health or the environment when improperly treated, stored, transported or disposed of or otherwise managed.

Hazardous SubstancesChemicals which, if released into the environment above a certain limit must be reported. (example: benzene 0.5mg/l, vinly chloride 0.2mg/l)

Extremely Hazardous SubstancesChemicals which must be reported to the appropriate authorities if released above the threshold reporting quantity. (example: hexavalent chromium etc)

OSHA DEFINITIONS

Hazardous ChemicalsAny chemical that would be a risk to employees if exposed in the work place. (example: organic solvents; xylene, toulene, etc)

Hazardous substancesEvery chemical regulated by both DOT and EPA (example: lead, etc)

Hazardous WasteNot defined.

EQA, 1974 DEFINITIONS

Environmentally Hazardous substancesAny natural or artificial substances including any raw material, whether in a solid, semi-solid or liquid form, or in the form of gas or vapor, or in a mixture of at least two of these substances, or any living organisms intended for any environmental protection, conservation and control activity, which can cause pollution.

Scheduled WastesAny waste falling within the categories of waste listed in the First Schedule. (example: waste containing PCB or PCT, etc)

Hazardous WasteNot defined

SPECIFIC WASTE DEFINITIONS

Hazardous Waste (UNEP, 1985)

Wastes (solids, liquids, sludge and gases) other than radioactive (and infectious) wastes which by reason of their chemical activity or toxic, explosive, corrosive or other characteristics, cause danger or likely to cause danger to health or the environment, whether alone or when coming into contact with other waste.

UNEP United Nation Environmental Protection

SPECIFIC WASTE DEFINITIONS

Hazardous Waste (RCRA, 1976)

A solid waste or combination of solid wastes, which because of its quantity, concentration or physical, chemical or infectious characteristics may :

I.cause or significantly contribute to an increase in mortality or an increase in serious irreversible or incapacitating reversible illness; orII.pose a substantial present or potential hazard to human health or the environment when improperly treated, stored, transported or disposed of or otherwise managed

RCRA - Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (under EPA)

SPECIFIC WASTE DEFINITIONS

Hazardous Waste

CANADA : Wastes which due to their nature and quantity are potentially hazardous to human health and/or the environment and which require special disposal techniques to eliminate or reduce the hazard

PHILIPPINES : Materials which are inherently dangerous to the human body or to animals, including, but not limited to, materials that are toxic or poisonous; corrosive, irritants, strong sensitizers; flammable; explosive.

OTHERS SPECIFIC WASTE DEFINITION

Medical Waste Any solid waste which is generated in the diagnosis, treatment or immunization of human beings or animals, in research pertaining thereto, or in the production or testing of biological organisms.

Mixed WasteWaste that contains both hazardous and source, special nuclear, or by products material subject to the Atomic Energy Act, 1954.

Solid Waste All solid or semisolid materials that the possessor no longer considers of sufficient value to retain.

Municipal WasteSolid and heterogeneous household waste.

Industrial WasteSimilar to municipal waste, specific to manufacturing process and some by products coming from manufacturing processes.

Building WasteAll wastes linked to civil engineering work, be it construction or demolition work.

TYPE OF WASTES

3 types of waste

Solid (debris, furniture, ash, etc);Liquid (sludge, solvents, etc); andGaseous (dioxin, CO, etc).