Challenges With Hazardous Waste Plans

• Hazardous waste must be properly contained. chemical waste image by Antonio Oquias from Fotolia.com

  Establishing proper hazardous waste plans are critical to preserving the health and integrity of people and the environment. Disposing of harmful substances can provide many challenges, and the process is heavily restricted at the state and federal level. A number of private and nonprofit organizations are dedicated to overseeing hazardous waste disposal, and the Environmental Protection Agency issues federal guidelines. Failure to heed local, state and federal laws can result in heavy fines and/or incarceration.

Household Hazardous Waste

• Engineers and community planners are responsible for defining how household waste is disposed, according to the EPA. Planners must take every measure to prevent leaks or spills. Landfills must also be protected as much as possible to prevent hazardous waste accidents. Proper protection includes hazardous waste handling and storage. Community systems are vulnerable for many reasons, one of which is that sending household waste down drain pipes into sewers can result in the contamination of septic channels. Additionally, failure to initiate and follow specified plans can result in the contamination of drinking water.

Hazardous Products

• Countless everyday products contain hazardous materials, according to the EPA. This fact increases the challenges for hazardous waste planners to effectively prevent against contamination or other hazardous waste exposure. A selection of common products available for purchase includes rat poison, damaged thermometers, and radio and car batteries. Additionally, everyday liquid chemicals products containing hazardous elements include paint thinner, yard treatment chemicals, oven cleaner, lighter fluids and other solvents.

Environmental Disasters

• Hazardous waste contamination can result in environmental disaster zones, according to Toxics Link. Countries with substandard environmental protection laws are especially at risk for hazardous waste catastrophes. India, for example, is today becoming one of the world's leading economies by increasing industrial output by substantial margins. Insufficient environmental protection laws expose India to millions of tons of liquid, solid and gaseous substances that contaminate important water ways and cause unhealthy degrees of smog. Additionally, even though Indian officials allow previously used or discarded materials to enter the country in the name of recycling, the country increases its challenges of handling and processing this additional waste due to lack of sufficient policies, technology or plans.