Hazard Waste Identification and Assessment

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a US government agency tasked with preserving the environment from hazardous solid and liquid waste emitted by businesses. To ensure that the trash released does not harm the environment or destroy the ecosystem, the EPA has established strategies for identifying and assessing chemical waste discharged (Environmental Protection Agency, 2005). Satisfactory identification of hazardous materials is critical to achieving waste management program goals. The mechanism through which the EPA identifies hazardous trash is outlined here.The process plays a considerable role in the management of hazardous waste Is the waste released “solid”?

Is the waste excluded from the RCRA regulations?

Is it a “listed” hazardous waste?

Does it demonstrate features of hazardous waste?

The process plays a considerable role in the management of hazardous waste and control of substances released by manufacturing and processing companies. A waste listed in the RCRA list of dangerous materials then it is unsafe and harmful to the environment. The last step in the identification process helps EPA to determine if the waste poses enough physical or chemical jeopardy to demand its regulation. EPA uses Risk Management Program Offsite Consequence to scrutinize chemical and physical waste released by firms (Environmental Protection Agency, 1999). The evaluation of hazardous constituents entails a record of materials listed and a five-year history of disposal besides undertaking an offsite consequence analysis (OCA) plan. OCA is the center of the assessment process; providing an estimate of risks posed by waste to people and surrounding beyond the organization’s fence line. I think the process is effective. However, I could suggest EPA include hazardous waste analysis even in companies because the chemicals are causing harm to the environment from within releasing organization.

References

Environmental Protection Agency. (1999). Evaluating Chemical Hazards in the Community: Using an RMP’s Offsite Consequence Analysis. Retrieved on November 9, 2017 from https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2013-11/documents/oca.pdf.

Environmental Protection Agency. (2005). Introduction to Hazardous Waste Identification (40 CFR Parts 261). Training Module. Retrieved on November 9, 2017 from https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-09/documents/hwid05.pdf.