HHW Flashcards
What four characteristics make a waste hazardous?
Ignitability, Corrosivity, Reactivity, Toxicity
What are examples of Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)?
Cleaning products, pesticides, workshop/painting supplies, electronics, light bulbs, appliances
What are ‘White Goods’?
Large household appliances like washers, dryers, and refrigerators
What are ‘E-Goods’?
Electronic devices
How much waste oil is generated annually in the U.S.?
1.2 billion gallons
What can one gallon of waste oil contaminate?
One million gallons of freshwater
What is MTBE and why is it relevant?
Methyl tertiary-butyl ether, a toxic gasoline additive banned since 2005
Is HHW regulated under RCRA?
No, it is exempt under Subtitle C
Does HHW require manifests for transportation?
No, unless mixed with regulated hazardous waste
What happens if HHW is mixed with regulated hazardous waste?
Hazardous waste (HW) regulations prevail
What does the EPA recommend for managing HHW?
1) Reuse/recycle; 2) Treat at hazardous waste facility; 3) Dispose in hazardous landfill
What are the three HHW collection methods?
Permanent collection sites, special collection days, and local business drop-off sites
What is the minimum OSHA training required for HHW handlers?
24-hour HAZWOPER training
What is required before shipping HHW?
Identification, segregation, manifest completion, and certification of destruction
What is double-safe storage used for?
Liquid hazardous wastes
What is the EPA’s required destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) for toxic waste incinerators before landfilling?
99.99%
Which type of waste includes solvents, sludges, pesticides, and heavy metals?
Characteristic hazardous waste
What is the source of most dioxins and furans?
Burning chlorinated waste
What must happen to hazardous organic wastes before landfilling, according to the EPA?
Must be destroyed or reduced
What is a common route by which PCBs enter the environment?
Leaching from old electrical equipment into soil and water
Are hazardous household wastes usually subject to DOT shipping regulations?
No (if exempt under household waste exemption)
What percentage of PCBs may still be found in use in transformers, caulk, and paints?
Trace amounts—often still detected decades later
