Thursday, November 19, 2015

Facts On Hazardous Waste Disposal Edmonton Residents Should Know

By Mattie Knight


There are many types of industrial and domestic hazardous waste that we have to handle on an everyday basis. Some of the most commonly encountered is automotive waste which includes car batteries, motor oil, gas and rust remover among others. Chemicals and cleaners within households include pesticides, bleaches and photo chemicals. Others types of waste products include needles and syringes, paints, aerosols and light bulbs. Concerning hazardous waste disposal Edmonton residents need to know a number of things.

Waste is considered hazardous if it is meets one of several characteristics. This means that it may be explosive, reactive, toxic, flammable, combustible, corrosive and so on. Many chemicals that have such characteristics have a label to identify them as having the specific property. Always ensure that you read the instructions before using or disposing of these chemicals.

Disposal of hazardous materials is associated with many challenges. Although it is possible to dispose of some of them quite easily, many require expertise which means that you may need the services of a professional. The adverse effects of these substances may be manifested through the environment or physical injury on the user. Going through the instructions on the container or information sheet will give an idea on what exactly you should do.

One of the precautions that you should take is to ensure that each substance is placed in a separate container preferably the original. Mixing is likely to cause confusion to the person that will eventually get rid of them. Of more concern is that there is a high risk of reactions setting in when different chemicals come into contact.

Personal protective equipment is a must when handling any of these substances. This includes, an apron, a pair of protective rubber gloves and safety glasses. Your arms and legs should be covered fully. After the disposal, make a point of washing yourself with plenty of water so as to rid yourself of any residual substances.

The best material for the containers is glass. Plastic and metallic containers may react with the contents. Ensure that you conduct a thorough inspection of the containers to ensure that they are properly sealed and are free from leakages. This is particularly important if the substances are to be transported in a vehicle.

There are several companies that can help with the disposal. Each company has different guidelines to guide the process and one needs to contact them to know about the exact procedure that is involved. As a general rule, one is not allowed to mix different types of substances. Mixing the hazardous materials with commercial waste is not allowed. If any of the substances that you deliver is mixed with what would be considered illegal then it will be rejected.

The bottom line is that you should always seek clarification if you have doubts concerning the disposal of a given hazardous substance. This can be done by either talking to the product manufacturer or professionals in the business. If you come into contact into contact with any of them and suspect physical injury, get in touch with a doctor at the earliest available opportunity.




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