Question

Describe the various types of hazards and hazardous wastes that threaten the environment and human life.

Please use resources below and cite resources used.

EPA (2017). Hazardous Waste programs. https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/links-hazardous-waste-programs-and-us-state-environmental-agencies

EPA (2017). Mission. https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/our-mission-and-what-we-do

EPA (2017). Clean Water Act. https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-clean-water-act

EPA (2017). Clear Air Act. https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-clean-air-act

Answer 1

Hazard is a source which causes potential harmful effects .Hazardous substances are sources of liquid , gas , solid which can cause adverse effects on the environment and human.

Hazardous wastes exposure has harmful effects which are categorized as acute exposure effectsand chronic exposure effects.

Some of the hazardous wastes are acids used for cleaning , floor cleaners, paints on walls , explosive chemicals, wastes generated from homes, pesticides, human blood, medicines , chemical substances, toxins, oil ,radioactive wastes, etc.

Hazards are classified as chemical , physical , biological,mechanical, psychosocial .

Hazardous wastes in atmosphere leads to pollution in land , soil, water , air .

Physical hazards:

Example of physical hazards are wet floors, objects protruding in doorways and walkways posing threat to human

Chemical hazards:

Chemicals released from paints & solvents, from industries,from cleaning products

Biological hazards:

Viruses, bacteria ,insects, plants, animals, human,spores , fungi and bioactive substances which cause threat to human and environment.

Mechanical hazards:

Some of mechanical hazards happen in industries while working with machines ,Wet Hands on electrical items,Pouring Water on electrical Fires,Extension Cords,Lightbulbs,Covered Electrical Cords and Wires, etc

Psychosocial hazards:

Stress in working place, noise around homes, more bright lighting ,etc.

Hazardous wastes are ignitable,corrosive, reactive and toxic to human and environment leading to plenty of harmful effects to human like birth defects, cancer , abortions and in case of environmental effects these wastes make the land, water , air unable to use by living organisms.

Flammable hazardous wastes:

Alcohol, gasoline, spontaneous combustion of solids , compressed gases etc

Corrosive hazardous wastes:

Battery acid ,rust removers, chemical solutions which have ability to corrode steel , acids like sulphuric acid, nitric acid .

Reactive hazardous wastes:

Toxic gasses are released when mixed with water,explosive mixture when comes in contact with air and unstable materials

Toxic hazardous wastes:

Pesticides, fertilizers, poisonous materials causing harmful effects on ground water,etc.

These all categories of hazards and hazardous wastes affect human by causing fatal effects, mental dissociations, respiratory problems, cancers, birth defects, blindess, deafness,infertility, abortions , metabolic disturbances .

These affect environment by polluting soil , water , air .Soil pollution affects the ecosystem , animals and human.Water pollution disrupts the natural food chain by killing aquatic animals and fishes. Air pollution leads to smog which leads to many accidents, respiratory problems in human. Oil spills lead to destruction of aquatic atmosphere and death of fishes , some fishes survive and when humans eat it , leading to many fatal effects.Noise pollution in atmosphere leads to insomnia, mental problems and deafness.

Thus these are various types of hazards and hazardous wastes which pose threat for human and environment.