What is toxic waste? Toxic waste may be defined as discarded material that may pose a substantial threat or potential hazard to human health or the environment when improperly handled.

The above definition of toxic waste is the one most people would use. There are many wastes that are harmful to human health or the environment, but they are not toxic.  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies hazardous wastes as having one or more of four characteristics:

• Corrosive - A corrosive material can wear away (corrode) or destroy a substance. For example, most acids are corrosives that can eat through metal, burn skin on contact, and give off vapors that burn the eyes.
• Ignitable - An ignitable material can burst into flames easily. It poses a fire hazard; can irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs; and may give off harmful vapors. Gasoline, paint, and furniture polish are ignitable.
• Reactive - A reactive material can explode or create poisonous gas when combined with other chemicals. For example, chlorine bleach and ammonia are reactive and create a poisonous gas when they come into contact with each other.
• Toxic - Toxic materials or substances can poison people and other life. Toxic substances can cause illness and even death if swallowed or absorbed through the skin. Pesticides, weed killers, and many household cleaners are toxic.

To simplify the identification of hazardous waste the EPA defines three types of hazardous waste:

1. Universal Waste (batteries, pesticides, mercury containing items)
2. Characteristic Waste (has the properties characteristic of hazardous waste)
3. Listed Waste (waste streams classified as hazardous based on their source)

Hundreds of hazardous wastes are in the "Listed Waste" category, and the majority of those are in the toxic waste category. To decide if a waste is a toxic waste, the EPA first determines whether it typically contains harmful chemical constituents. If so, then 11 other factors are evaluated to determine if the waste stream could be a substantial health or environmental hazard "when improperly treated, stored, transported, or disposed of, or otherwise managed" (40 CFR 261.11(a)(3)).

Where Does Toxic Waste Come From?

The by-products of many of the products we use every day can result in the production of toxic waste. For example, common materials like paints, batteries, pesticides, and solvents generate toxic waste during their production or disposal. Eliminating toxic waste requires avoiding products like paint, compact fluorescent light bulbs, and batteries, but this approach isn't practical. Facilities must properly manage the toxic waste produced during the manufacture and disposal of these products.

How are Humans Exposed to Toxic Waste?

For a toxic waste to affect humans, or the environment, it must be released into the air, water, or onto the ground. Once released it can spread, contaminating more of the environment and creating threats to human health over a wider area. Even when toxic waste is being managed it can unknowingly spread. For example, if a waste storage site isn't properly designed, rainwater can carry toxic waste into the underlying groundwater. If only a small amount of the toxic substances gets into the groundwater, it may be diluted to the point where it is no longer toxic. There is only a hazard to life if:

• A large amount of toxic waste is released at one time.
• A small amount is released many times at the same place.
• The toxic substance does not become diluted.
• The substance is highly toxic (arsenic, for example). 

Toxic Waste and the Importance of Dose and Exposure

Dose and exposure are two important words when talking about toxic waste. For example, exposure to extremely low doses of a highly toxic waste may be safe and result in no harm. However, very high doses of a non-toxic substance, such as water, can result in death (drinking too much water can result in over-hydration and death).

Coming into contact with a substance is called exposure. The effects of an exposure depend on:

• How the exposure occurred:
  • Inhalation: Breathing in vapors from toxic waste can lead to exposure. Even taking a shower in contaminated water can result in inhaling toxic vapors.
  • Ingestion: Eating food contaminated by toxic waste is a common way to ingest harmful substances. Small children are at risk of ingesting toxic materials like household chemicals, soil, or paint chips.
  • Contact: Known as dermal exposure, this occurs when toxic waste is absorbed through direct skin contact.
  • Puncture or open wound: While the skin acts as a barrier, harmful substances can easily enter the body through a break in the skin.
• The characteristics of the toxic waste.
• The concentration or "dose" of the exposure.
• The duration of the exposure.
• The frequency of the exposure.

Plants, animals, fish, and birds can be exposed to toxic waste in the same way as humans. Just as in humans, the effects of exposure will vary based on the above factors.

Acute and Chronic Toxic Waste Exposure

Exposure to toxic materials can be classified as either acute or chronic.

An acute exposure is a single, short duration exposure to a hazardous substance. The health effects of the exposure typically appear immediately after exposure. For example, when a fly is sprayed with bug spray, it immediately dies. Or when your hand is splashed with battery acid, you will immediately have a burn from the acid.

A chronic exposure is typically a small exposure that is repeated over a long period of time. The health effects of a chronic exposure are not immediately seen. They typically will be a long-term illness, cancer, liver failure, or slowed growth or development in children. An example of a chronic exposure would be people living near a leaking hazardous waste dump. The effects of the leaking toxic waste might not appear for years, or even decades.

One reason for chronic exposure being so dangerous is that some substance can accumulate in the body. This is called bioaccumulation. The result is that even very low dose exposures can result in a toxic substance accumulating over time in the body. Instead of passing through the body and being excreted, these substances increase in concentration within the body causing long-term harm.

With the many risks of toxic waste, facilities must take every step to prevent potential dangers.

Clear Labels for Safer Toxic Waste Management

Proper labeling is essential for the safe handling and storage of toxic waste. Clear and visible labels help identify the contents and the potential dangers to prevent accidental exposure or mishandling. The EPA mandates the use of specific labels for hazardous waste, including those for toxic waste. These labels should display key information such as the type of waste, hazard level, and proper handling instructions. Using high-visibility labels ensures that the warning is noticed, reducing the risk of accidents.

Handling Toxic Waste with Care

Handling toxic waste requires strict safety protocols to protect workers, the environment, and the community. Personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn at all times, including gloves, masks, and protective clothing. Employees must follow established procedures for transporting and storing toxic waste to prevent leaks or spills. Facilities should be equipped with proper containment systems, such as leak-proof containers and secure storage areas, to prevent contamination. Training employees on how to manage toxic waste safely is crucial for maintaining a hazard-free environment.

Toxic Waste Solutions from DuraLabel

If people are aware of the danger, they can avoid it or protect themselves. That's why using highly visible warning labels is important. For example, toxic waste is often stored in 55 gallon drums. These drums would typically be labeled with common 4" x 6" labels. However, with DuraLabel high visibility, extra large 6.8" x 10.5" labels can be used to make the warning prominent.

DuraLabel custom label printers and tough-tested supplies don't impose limits—they let you label toxic waste so that the labels are easily noticed. Whether you need warning signs, large format labels, or any other type of warning or danger label, a DuraLabel Industrial Sign and Label Print System can get the job done.

Get everything you need to label hazardous waste with the DuraLabel Kodiak Max HazCom/GHS Kit. This kit gives you the print system and supplies needed for proper handling and storage of toxic waste.

Learn the ins-and-outs of hazardous waste labeling with DuraLabel's free GHS/HazCom Labeling Quick Start Guide which offers essential knowledge on hazard communication best practices to help you properly label hazardous materials in your facility.

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