There are masses of federal laws regarding this subject, but in fact, individual states do have the power to make stricter laws to govern the areas that you have mentioned.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines hazardous waste and materials as things that have properties that are dangerous and have the potential to be harmful to humans or the environment.
This includes anything that is corrosive, flammable, poisonous or unstable, and can mean anything from manufacturing chemicals to the things that we commonly find in the home, such as lead based paints, some cleaning products, battery acid and even de-greaser.
As soon as these items are opened we are bound to make sure that it is used and disposed of according to law.
There are strict laws governing where and how manufacturing plants store hazardous materials. One storage option is in sealed containers that are portable. A prime example of one of these is a 55 gallon drum, but corrosive materials cannot be stored in one of these.
These are buildings especially designed to house hazardous waste or materials that cannot be stored in a sealed container. These buildings are completely enclosed and are free standing so there is no contact with other buildings.
This is a storage area that has been built into the ground, although it can be a natural depression. It must be lined so that there will be no leakages into the ground.
These are non-portable and can be made from a variety of materials such as concrete, steel or plastic. They can be open topped as long as the contents cannot emit gases.
These are mounds of waste at ground level, which are open. They have to be properly lined so that there are no leaks into the ground or surface water. Anything that emits toxic fumes cannot be stored in a waste pile.
- Hazardous waste and materials
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines hazardous waste and materials as things that have properties that are dangerous and have the potential to be harmful to humans or the environment.
This includes anything that is corrosive, flammable, poisonous or unstable, and can mean anything from manufacturing chemicals to the things that we commonly find in the home, such as lead based paints, some cleaning products, battery acid and even de-greaser.
As soon as these items are opened we are bound to make sure that it is used and disposed of according to law.
- Plant storage
There are strict laws governing where and how manufacturing plants store hazardous materials. One storage option is in sealed containers that are portable. A prime example of one of these is a 55 gallon drum, but corrosive materials cannot be stored in one of these.
- Containment buildings
These are buildings especially designed to house hazardous waste or materials that cannot be stored in a sealed container. These buildings are completely enclosed and are free standing so there is no contact with other buildings.
- Surface impoundments
This is a storage area that has been built into the ground, although it can be a natural depression. It must be lined so that there will be no leakages into the ground.
- Tanks
These are non-portable and can be made from a variety of materials such as concrete, steel or plastic. They can be open topped as long as the contents cannot emit gases.
- Waste piles
These are mounds of waste at ground level, which are open. They have to be properly lined so that there are no leaks into the ground or surface water. Anything that emits toxic fumes cannot be stored in a waste pile.
