hazardous waste in our homes protect yourself protect your environment prepared by marilyn rausch...
TRANSCRIPT
HAZARDOUS WASTE IN OUR HOMES
Protect yourself
Protect your environment
Prepared by Marilyn RauschIndiana State Association FCRV DAT Program 2006
Where can you find Household Hazardous Waste?
• Kitchen Cabinets• Cleaning Closets• Garages• Backyard Sheds• Bathroom shelves
Indiana State Association FCRV Disaster Awareness Program
What makes materials hazardous?
Contain ingredients that, when used or disposed of incorrectly, threaten
Health
Surface Water
Ground Water
Rest of environment
Indiana State Association FCRV Disaster Awareness Program
Household hazardous waste is
TOXIC
(poisonous or cancer causing)
FLAMMABLE or IGNITABLE
(burns or ignites easily)
CORROSIVE
(eats through materials)
REACTIVE
(can explode)Indiana State Association FCRV Disaster Awareness Program
How do I Know?
READ THE LABEL• “Wear Gloves”: corrosive or skin-toxic.• “Do not store near heat or open flame”:
Ignitable.• “Do not store near…”: reactive qualities.• “Use in only well-ventilated room”: toxic
fumes and reactivity.
Indiana State Association FCRV Disaster Awareness Program
THE AVERAGE AMERICAN HOUSEHOLD CONTAINS AN
EXTIMATED
50 TO 100 POUNDS
OF HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE.
Indiana State Association FCRV Disaster Awareness Program
Approximately
1.6 million tons of hazardous waste
Is generated every year in the United States.
Indiana State Association FCRV Disaster Awareness Program
Dangers within the home• Chemicals can be corrosive to the eyes,
skin, mouth, throat, esophagus and stomach.
• Toxic Fumes can cause respiratory injury and death.
• Improper storage may increase the risk of accidental injuries or explosions
Indiana State Association FCRV Disaster Awareness Program
Dangers outside of the home
• Products poured into sinks contribute to pollution in lakes and streams.
• Discarded hazardous materials pose serious threats to air, land, surface water, and groundwater.
• These same materials pose health risk to sanitation workers
Indiana State Association FCRV Disaster Awareness Program
EXAMPLES OF HAZARDOUS WASTE IN THE HOME
Household cleaners can be toxic, corrosive & flammable.
• Abrasive cleansers, scouring powders• Ammonia or chlorine based cleaners• Disinfectants• Drain, glass, and oven cleaners.• Aerosol spray cans• Rug and upholstery cleaners.
Indiana State Association FCRV Disaster Awareness Program
EXAMPLES OF HAZARDOUS WASTE IN THE HOME
• Medicines, “sharps”• Nail polish• Furniture polish• Silver polish• Shoe polish• Batteries
Indiana State Association FCRV Disaster Awareness Program
EXAMPLES OF HAZARDOUS WASTE IN THE HOME
HOBBY PRODUCTS: potentially toxic, explosive, and corrosive
• Artist and model paint• Firearm cleaning solvent• Photographic chemicals• Solvent based Glue
Indiana State Association FCRV Disaster Awareness Program
EXAMPLES OF HAZARDOUS WASTE IN THE GARAGE
PAINT PRODUCTS: toxic and flammable.
• Enamel or oil-based paint• Latex or water-based paint• Furniture or paint-stripper• Stain, varnish• Thinners, solvents, turpentine
Indiana State Association FCRV Disaster Awareness Program
EXAMPLES OF HAZARDOUS WASTE IN THE GARAGE
AUTOMATIVE PRODUCTS: toxic, corrosive, flammable:• Anti-freeze• Motor oil• Auto and motorcycle batteries• Car wax• Engine cleaner and degreaser• Gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene• Transmission fluid• Auto paint and primer.
Indiana State Association FCRV Disaster Awareness Program
EXAMPLES OF HAZARDOUS WASTE IN THE YARD
PESTICIDE AND GARDEN PRODUCTS: toxic and flammable
• Chemical fertilizer, herbicides or weed killers• Fungicides• Insecticide or bug killers• Flea collars, sprays, bombs• Rodent poisons• Roach and ant killers, snail and slug bait
Indiana State Association FCRV Disaster Awareness Program
EXAMPLES OF HAZARDOUS WASTE IN THE YARD
• Pool and Spa Chemicals• Disinfectants and pH balancing chemicals.
Indiana State Association FCRV Disaster Awareness Program
What should be done with Hazardous Household Waste?
• Reduce the Use
• Reuse
• Recycle
• Store properly
• Dispose of properlyIndiana State Association FCRV Disaster Awareness Program
REDUCE THE USE
Select the least toxic item to “do the job”
• Buy only the minimum amounts necessary.
• Avoid household products marked “danger.”
• Choose water-based products.
Indiana State Association FCRV Disaster Awareness Program
SAFER ALTERNATIVES FOR HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS
WASTES
See the handouts for safer alternatives for many household
hazardous products
Indiana State Association FCRV Disaster Awareness Program
REUSE
• Attempt to use all of any hazardous material.
• Some solvents and cleaners may be reused– Keep in original containers with original labels.– Corrosives should be stored in a covered glass jar.
• If “leftovers” aren’t needed, perhaps a neighbor, friend or community organization such as Habitat for Humanity may be able to use the product.
Indiana State Association FCRV Disaster Awareness Program
RECYCLE
• Motor oil and Fuel oils are often collected by service stations for filtering and reuse.
• Batteries, especially those with nickel cadmium, lithium or lead are recyclable.
• TO FIND WHERE TO RECYCLE OR DISPOSE OF HAZARDOUS WASTE, CHECK www.earth911.org.
Indiana State Association FCRV Disaster Awareness Program
STORE PROPERLY
• NEVER store hazardous products in food containers.
• NEVER store hazardous products in same area as food.
• Keep products in their original containers and never remove the labels.
Indiana State Association FCRV Disaster Awareness Program
STORE PROPERLY
Corroding containers require special handling.
Contents may leak out, leading to contact, respiratory, or fire/explosion hazards.
Call your local hazardous-material official or fire department for instructions.
Indiana State Association FCRV Disaster Awareness Program
STORE PROPERLY
• Store all products out of reach of children and pets.
• Lock poisons and medicines out of reach of small children.
• Return hazardous household products to their safe storage immediately after use.
Indiana State Association FCRV Disaster Awareness Program
STORE PROPERLY
• Never mix different household chemicals. (mixing chlorine bleach and ammonia or vinegar can cause deadly fumes.)
• Never smoke or eat when handling hazardous materials.
Indiana State Association FCRV Disaster Awareness Program
STORE PROPERLY
• Store all hazardous products out of the sun and away from heat, sparks, and flames (including pilot lights).
• Keep containers from rusting (avoid storing in damp areas.
• Keep products from freezing (an exception: flammable or combustible products may be stored in an unheated garage.
Indiana State Association FCRV Disaster Awareness Program
STORE PROPERLY
Never store gasoline or other fuels indoors.
Indiana State Association FCRV Disaster Awareness Program
DISPOSE OF PROPERLY
• Follow label instructions.
• Wear gloves and protect your clothing when handling hazardous waste.
Indiana State Association FCRV Disaster Awareness Program
DISPOSE OF PROPERLY
• Remember that an “EMPTY” container may not be totally empty.
• Residual amounts of the chemicals may remain inside the container.
• Fumes can accumulate, creating possible danger.
Indiana State Association FCRV Disaster Awareness Program
DISPOSE OF PROPERLY
NEVER burn or dump hazardous wastes on the ground.
Indiana State Association FCRV Disaster Awareness Program
DISPOSE OF PROPERLY
Do not dispose of any hazardous material “down the sink” unless you are sure it can be safely disposed into the sewer system.
This does NOT apply to a septic tank. Do not pour any hazardous waste into a septic system.
Indiana State Association FCRV Disaster Awareness Program
DISPOSE OF PROPERLY
Avoid burying any containers or leftover chemicals.
Indiana State Association FCRV Disaster Awareness Program
DISPOSE OF PROPERLY If a container is deteriorating, place
the entire container in a plastic bucket.
Surround it with a nonflammable absorbent such as kitty litter, vermiculite, or “floor dry” to
absorb the material. Label the outside of the container.
Indiana State Association FCRV Disaster Awareness Program
DISPOSE OF PROPERLY
SOLIDIFY ANY LIQUID WASTES
• Use absorbent material (kitty litter, sawdust, vermiculite, paper towels, rags) to soak up a liquid hazardous material.
• Do not solidify more than one chemical at a time.• Use gloves. Sweep or dispose of materials into a
plastic bag.• Dispose of appropriately.
Indiana State Association FCRV Disaster Awareness Program
DISPOSE OF PROPERLY
Latex paint can be solidified by exposing the paint to air.
Once dried, the paint and container can be wrapped in several layers of newspaper and disposed of in
household refuse.
Indiana State Association FCRV Disaster Awareness Program
DISPOSE OF PROPERLY
• If possible, open a non-aerosol container with wire cutters or scissors and air-dry.
• Wear gloves to swab the inside before disposal.
• Dispose rags or paper towels after they have been aired and dried out of doors.
Indiana State Association FCRV Disaster Awareness Program
DISPOSE OF PROPERLY
For empty aerosol cans, turn the container upside-down and depress spray button with
the nozzle facing paper toweling, rags or other absorbent surface.
When the pressure is gone, wrap the can in newspaper and dispose of with household
refuse.Indiana State Association FCRV Disaster Awareness Program
DISPOSE OF PROPERLYIf you are on a sewer system:• Cleansers designed to be used with water
in the home are drain disposable. – Drain with a lot of water– Rinse the container and allow it to dry– Wrap container in newspaper and dispose in
household refuse.
• Antifreeze can be flushed down the toilet.
Indiana State Association FCRV Disaster Awareness Program
DISPOSE OF PROPERLY
Some items should NEVER be flushed into a water system, disposed of on the ground or put into household refuse:
• Pesticides• Herbicides• Oil paints
• Paint cleaners• Oil
• Transmission fluids
Indiana State Association FCRV Disaster Awareness Program
DISPOSE OF PROPERLY
AUTO BATTERIES SHOULD NEVER BE PUT IN THE
HOME’S GARBAGE
Indiana State Association FCRV Disaster Awareness Program
Landfill Discard with household refuse.
Recycle Recycle using proper procedures
HWW Save for a Household Hazardous Waste Collection
Flush Flush SMALL AMOUNTS only in inside drain only. (pour acid INTO water)
Flush 1 Flush with large quantities of water in inside drain only (pour acid INTO water.)
Flush 2 Pour water into product (not product into water). DO NOT MIX ACIDS AND BASES (I.e.ammonia and bleach)
RECYCLE AND REUSE CHART DESCRIPTION
Indiana State Association FCRV Disaster Awareness Program
ITEM OPT 1
OPT 2
SPECIAL INSTRUCTION
Acid Flush 1 Protect face, wear eye protection
Aerosol cans, empty Landfill Recycle if available for steel.
Ammonia, ammonia based products
Flush 2 DO NOT MIX WITH BLEACH-BASED PRODUCTS
Ammunition Call local law enforcement agency
Antifreeze Recycle Flush 1 As generated only
Artist paints/solvents HHW
Explanation of HHW chart
See chart in the handouts…
Indiana State Association FCRV Disaster Awareness Program