TOXIC WASTE: TYPES, SUBSTANCES AND DISPOSAL - ENVIRONMENT - 2024

The toxic waste are all materials, liquid, solid or gaseous, which can cause damage to the ingested being inhaled or absorbed through skin. There is talk of poisoning if the toxic waste is ingested in any way by humans.

A waste is considered toxic if it is poisonous, radioactive, explosive, carcinogenic, bioaccumulative, mutagenic, or teratogenic. Wastes that contain dangerous pathogens, like used needles, are sometimes considered toxic as well. Some of the most common include cyanide compounds, chlorine compounds, radiation, pathogens, and dangerous toxins.

Also considered toxic waste are some heavy metals that could cause harm to humans, animals and plants if they are not disposed of correctly; for example mercury cells, batteries or thermometers.

Many toxic wastes are typically derived from construction, laboratories, hospitals, septic systems, auto shops, agriculture, manufacturing, and other industries. Toxic materials can be man-made or can occur naturally in the environment.

Toxic wastes can cause harm to living things if these toxins are found buried in the soil, in the water they drink, or even if they interact with flood waters. Mercury, for example, stays in the environment and accumulates. Humans and animals can absorb this substance when they eat fish.

Contact with toxic waste

Toxic waste must be handled with care. That is why many cities in the world have regulations when interacting with them. Toxic waste must be disposed of in facilities designated for this purpose.

Toxic waste has become more abundant since the Industrial Revolution. Additionally, most technological advances contain toxic chemicals.

Products such as cell phones, computers, televisions, batteries, pesticides, and solar panels contain harmful chemicals. Disposing of these materials has become problematic as they cause serious health problems in the world.

Types of toxic waste

Chemical Waste

Toxic wastes are those that are considered corrosive, flammable, reactive - chemicals that interact with others to create explosives or create toxic by-products, poisonous, carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic substances, as well as heavy metals such as mercury and lead.

Radioactive waste

Radioactive waste includes elements and compounds that produce or absorb ionic radiation and any material that interacts with those elements and compounds. For this reason, this category also includes bars and water used for nuclear reactions in power plants.

Medical waste

This broad category includes fluids and tissues that are capable of harboring disease-causing organisms, right down to the materials and containers in which they are transported and maintained.

The world's most dangerous chemical toxins are grouped into a list categorized as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Many of these substances are pesticides, like DDT.

Others result from the combustion process, such as dioxins that originate when burning chlorinated substances; PCBs are used to manufacture plastics, paints, and electronic transformers. They can be released into the environment when these products are burned.

Other toxins such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, nickel, zinc, copper and beryllium belong to the group of bioaccumulative toxins, which can remain in the environment for long periods of time.

Most common toxic substances

The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) has identified most of the dangerous substances that can be found commonly and that pose a serious risk to health. These are the substances:

Reactive waste

They are the ones that can explode when heated or mixed with water; release toxic gases into the environment. They are unstable even under normal conditions. The most common are lithium-sulfide batteries.

Flammable waste

Waste that can easily cause fires. The most used are solvents and residual oils.

Corrosive waste

They are corrosive capable liquids that damage metal. They are usually acidic, like battery acid.

Arsenic

This substance is used in electrical circuits, as an ingredient in some pesticides and as a wood preservative. Arsenic is carcinogenic.

Asbestos

Inhaling asbestos can cause asbestosis and lead to lung cancer. This material was used as an insulator in buildings. Some companies still use it when making roofs and brakes.

Cadmium

It can cause lung damage, digestive tract irritation, and kidney problems. Cadmium is found in batteries and plastic; It can be inhaled through cigarette smoke or digested through pigments in food.

Chrome

It is used as an insulator in industries that work at high temperatures, in chrome plating, pigments, colorants, leather tanning, and is also sold as a metal to make steel. It is carcinogenic, damages the lungs and can cause bronchitis.

Clinical waste

As injectors and bottles of drugs that can spread pathogens; anything that may have microorganisms that can spread disease.

Cyanide

It is a poison found in many pesticides and rodenticides. It can cause paralysis, seizures, and breathing problems.

Lead

It is found in batteries, paints, and ammunition. When inhaled or ingested, it can cause damage to the nervous system, reproductive system, and kidneys.

Mercury

Exposure to mercury can cause brain and kidney damage, and also causes congenital diseases. Mercury is used in batteries, in the production of chlorine and in dental fillings.

PCB (Polychlorinated Biphenyls)

They are used in many industrial processes, especially in paints and sealants. It affects the immune, reproductive and nervous systems.

POPs (persistent organic compounds)

Found in chemicals and pesticides. They lead to reproductive and nervous defects. They persist in the environment for a long time and move quickly.

Strong acids and alkalis

They are used in industries and can destroy tissue and cause internal damage to the body.

Waste disposal

The best way to reduce the effects of toxic waste on humans and the environment would be to eliminate its production. Toxins can be reduced by substituting non-polluting alternatives.

Implementing efficient production processes and the correct maintenance of the machines also reduces toxins. Additionally, heavy metals can be recycled.

Bioremediation is also a good option. In this process, living organisms are added to waste to organically break it down, transform pollutants, or reduce them to safe levels.

Depending on the type, some wastes can be deposited in special landfills for incineration. These landfills could be lined with clay or plastic; the debris could be encapsulated in concrete.

References

1. Toxic Waste. Definition. (2017). Recovered from businessdictionary.com.
2. Toxic Waste. Pollution (2016). Encyclopedia Britannica. Recovered from britannica.com.
3. Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) (2008). Chemical Compounds - Science. Encyclopedia Britannica. Recovered from britannica.com.
4. Toxic Waste. Global Warming - National Geographic. Recovered from nationalgeographic.com.
5. Hazardous Waste Recycling Regulations (2015). Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved from epa.gov.