When considering toxic vs. hazardous waste, it’s not uncommon for generators to assume that the terms are synonymous. After all, both toxic and hazardous waste are, by definition, potentially harmful to people, animals, and the environment if not handled properly. Each results from numerous industrial activities throughout the country. They are the byproducts of chemical production, petroleum refining, medical and biological processes and procedures, mining activities, agriculture production, nuclear energy, and laboratory research. Even the production of everyday household items like cleaning supplies, batteries, cosmetics, and electronics is a source of such waste.
Nonetheless, though the terms “toxic waste” and “hazardous waste” are often used the same, there is a difference between the two. In a nutshell, while all toxic waste is hazardous, not all dangerous waste is necessarily harmful. Generators need to know this distinction to ensure that the type of hazardous material is handled and disposed of correctly. In fact, for state and federal regulatory agencies like the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the EPA, understanding the distinction between the two is not only fundamental to preventing a threat to public health, wildlife, and the environment but it is a law which all generators must comply with.
What is Hazardous Waste?
According to the EPA, hazardous waste is characterized by its potential to threaten human health or the environment. To receive a hazardous waste classification, a waste must undergo an identification process to determine its properties and potential risks. First, any substance or physical material—solid, liquid, sludge, or gas—that can be classified as a “waste” has the potential to be hazardous. To be identified as hazardous, the waste must hold one of four specific properties or characteristics determined by the material’s corrosivity, reactivity, ignitability, or toxicity.
In identifying the first three, corrosive substances are characterized by their extreme acidity or alkalinity. They can severely damage the skin, eyes, and human tissue or corrode other surfaces and durable materials. Reactive wastes are those substances that are highly unstable or tend to undergo sudden chemical reactions that, even under controlled conditions, could present an explosive hazard or release toxic or harmful gases. Ignitable substances are those that catch fire or ignite easily. They pose a significant risk of explosion or fire hazard with the potential to cause extensive damage to businesses, communities, and the environment, with devastating consequences.
When handling corrosive, reactive, or ignitable hazardous wastes, it is essential to exercise caution during the labeling, storage, and disposal process to ensure safety. When managing toxic waste, extreme caution is essential to ensure public health, safety, and the environment.
Understanding Toxic Waste
What separates toxic waste from corrosive, reactive, and ignitable wastes is the former’s potential lethality. Toxic waste can cause severe harm or death to living organisms when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. It can also cause a public health emergency, contaminate the environment, and harm surrounding wildlife. This characteristic distinguishes toxic waste from other hazardous materials, highlighting the importance of recognizing the unique risks associated with toxicity.
Toxic waste can manifest in various forms, including poisonous substances that can cause harm or even death, radioactive materials that emit harmful radiation, explosive materials that can cause damage or harm, and carcinogenic substances that increase the risk of cancer. Additionally, toxic waste can also be mutagenic, causing damage to chromosomes and potentially leading to genetic mutations, teratogenic, causing birth defects, or bioaccumulative, where toxins concentrate at the high ends of the food chain, posing a risk to the environment and human health.
How Toxic Waste is Categorized
Toxic waste originates from three primary sources: medical, chemical, and radioactive substances. Toxic medical waste involves biological materials that harbor infectious agents and pathogens, such as tissues, bodily fluids, and contaminated items. Chemical waste encompasses a broader range of hazardous substances, including highly toxic, explosive, corrosive, or capable of causing harm through prolonged exposure. This category also includes heavy metals, such as arsenic, cadmium, and lead, which pose significant environmental and health risks. Radioactive waste is generated from materials that emit ionizing radiation, including elements and compounds that interact with or contain radioactive substances. This category also encompasses materials that come into contact with radioactive elements, such as those used in nuclear power plants, like cooling water and reactor rods.
Toxic waste is one of four types of hazardous waste. Identifying and knowing the differences between toxic vs. hazardous waste is vital to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. Proper handling of hazardous and toxic materials is crucial for protecting the health and safety of individuals and the environment. Understanding the distinction between toxic vs. hazardous waste can also benefit businesses by reducing costs and enhancing their reputation. Failure to manage these substances correctly can result in severe penalties, including fines and license suspension, as well as damage to a company’s reputation and relationships with the community.
Maine Labpack offers numerous hazardous waste removal services and disposal options to ensure your facility is always compliant. Please call if you have questions or concerns about toxic and other hazardous wastes generated by your business or organization. To learn more about how we can help you properly manage your hazardous waste, or if you want more information about our removal services, don’t hesitate to contact one of our experts today.