Household Hazardous Waste

What is Household Hazardous Waste?

Household Hazardous Waste is common household products that exhibit the characteristics of hazardous waste. As a result these products may be harmful to human health and/or the environment. Many of these products are very common and are usually purchased from local hardware, automotive, and grocery stores. These products can be used and found in our house, in our garages, on our lawns, and in our gardens.

Because these products are so common and easy to purchase, many people forget that these products can be extremely harmful to their health or the environment.

For example, common household products like toilet bowl and oven cleaners can potentially cause burns, blindness, nausea, and shortness of breath.

Automotive products such as gasoline, oil, and antifreeze can be extremely harmful to the environment. According to the EPA, just one gallon of used oil can pollute one million gallons of drinking water. Used oil that ends up in Vermont’s waterways can threaten aquatic life. Antifreeze can be extremely toxic to children and pets, potentially causing liver and brain damage, and cardiac failure.

Lawn and garden products such as pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers can be washed off lawns and gardens by the rain, and ultimately end up in water supplies and surface waters. These products can kill fish, non-target insects, and can bioaccumulate in the environment causing harm to animals. One infamous example is the pesticide DDT causing major health problems in birds of prey.

How Do I Know If a Product is Hazardous?

Products that contain potentially harmful ingredients are required to provide a label that informs you why the product is hazardous, the harm it could cause to humans, ways to avoid exposure, and the necessary first aid procedures in the event of an accidental exposure.

Reading the label thoroughly and closely following the instructions for use may prevent an exposure situation. The label will provide information on choosing safety gear for the application. It will also provide instructions on choosing the best conditions for use. Included on this label will be a combination of a products Hazardous characteristics, and Key signal words to alert the user of potential dangers.

Hazardous Characteristics

These hazardous characteristics are toxic, corrosive, reactive, explosive, and flammable/ ignitable.

Toxic means that it is potentially poisonous if eaten, breathed, or absorbed through the skin. Examples include pesticides and antifreeze.

Corrosive means that it can burn or destroy other materials including living tissue. Examples include toilet bowl cleaner and Photographic fixer solution.

Reactive means that it can react with other substances to create fumes, heat, or explosion. Some examples include fertilizers and pool chemicals.

Explosive means that it can explode with exposure to heat or pressure. Some examples include pressurized propane cylinders and old ammunition.

Flammable/Ignitable means that it can be easily set on fire or has a low flashpoint. Some examples are old gasoline and nail polish remover.

Key Signal Words

In addition to hazardous characteristics, labels will contain a signal word. These signal words range in scale from the most harmful (danger) to the least harmful (warning). The signal words are used to alert consumers of the hazard level of each product. By using this information, consumers can purchase the least hazardous product. Below is a description of these signal words, and the lethal dose for each according to the EPA.

Danger/poison is the highest degree of the signal words. Some are considered very dangerous because their lethal dose is only a few drops to one teaspoon.

Caution is not as harmful as dangerous but a lethal dose is one teaspoon to one ounce.

Warning is the least harmful but still has potential to cause harm. A lethal dose is one ounce to 2 cups.

Things to Remember:

- Read the label first. All household hazardous products will have a label that will identify any of the potential hazards, and will give proper storage and disposal instructions. In addition, the following important information will appear on every label.

        • How to use a product safely and effectively.
        • How to store the product safely.
        • First aid instructions
        • Phone numbers to call for help or more information

- Household hazardous products are dangerous even though they can be purchased at most stores.

- Improper use, storage, or disposal could have detrimental effects on your health and the environment.

- Whenever possible buy alternative non-toxic products, which are safer, effective, affordable, and readily available.