HAZARDOUS WASTE – WHAT WE SHOULD KNOW
Hazardous waste is a residue from a range of objects and substances we use in our daily lives and we may not be aware of the harmful effect they may have on human health and the environment. Everything, in one or the other way returns to our body and burden it. But before that, natural balance has already been upside down, fauna and flora have been poisoned whereas quality of life now and tomorrow has been affected…
So, everything we throw away, ends up back to us!
Take a look at your garden, your living room, your garage. The old electric kettle you want to get rid of, the leftover paint from your refreshed living room, the burned out lamp you changed yesterday in the bathroom. All these objects and many more are harmful to us and our environment if they end up where they should not be.
Let’s get to know some of the objects that consist a source of hasardous waste. A lot of them, such as car batteries, liquid fuel containers, car oil, car disinfectants and cleaners, light bulbs, oil filters, small electric and electronic appliances, paint containers and paint diluents, acetone, lighter fluid, insecticides, medicines, pesticides, chlorine we most probably have them at home. The best we can do is to be able to recognize the dangerous properties of this kind of objects and to know how to manage hasardous waste produced at home.
LET’S SEE IN DETAIL WHAT EACH SYMBOL MEANS:
OXIDATIVE
Causes or intensifies fire. Increases the risk of fire
Examples of where we can find it: Bleach, oxygen for medical purposes
FLAMMABLE
Flammable- may cause serious fire if exposed to sparks, flames, heat
Examples of where we can find it: Oil for lamps, Petrol , nail Acetone
EXPLOSIVE
Explosive – sensitive to fire, heat, vibration or abrasion
Examples of where we can find it: Fireworks, ammunition
HEALTH RISK
Causes skin and eye irritation Causes adverse health effects. Destroys the ozone layer
Examples of where we can find it: Cleaning detergents, toilet cleaners, liquid coolants
SERIOUS HEALTH RISK
It may cause serious long-term adverse health effects
Examples of where we can find it: Turpentine oil, petrol, oil for lamps
DANGEROUS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Toxic for aquatic organisms Long-term adverse effects on ecosystem
Examples of where we can find it: Pesticides, biocides, petrol, turpentine oil
ACUTE TOXICIDY
Life threatening even in small quantities or short exposure
Examples of where we can find it: Pesticides, biocides, methanol
CORROSIVE
Causes skin and eye burns. Causes metal corrosion
Examples of where we can find it: Drain cleaners, acetic acid, hydrochloric acid, ammonium
GAS UNDER PRESSURE
The container may explode if heated. Very cold liquid may cause cold burns
Examples of where we can find it: Gas containers