Friday, November 13, 2015

Facts On Hazardous Waste Disposal Edmonton Residents Should Know

By Mattie Knight


There are many types of hazardous waste that we encounter in our everyday life. Some are household while others are industrial. Automotive waste includes motor oil, car batteries, gas, rust remover and the containers in which each of them is contained. Chemicals and cleaners include bleaches, pesticides and photo chemicals. Other types of waste include light bulbs, paints, aerosols, needles and syringes and so on. There are a number of things on hazardous waste disposal Edmonton residents need to know.

Waste is regarded as being hazardous in a number of situations. It may be reactive, explosive, toxic, corrosive or flammable. If a product has any of these properties then the same will be displayed in form of a label so as to warn the user to be cautious. It is important to go through all the instructions before getting rid of any of these substances.

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.

There are a number of precautions that should be undertaken when handling substances that are considered to be hazardous. One of the most important is that all the substances should be put in separate containers and if possible in their original containers. Mixing different substances is a high risk for chemical reactions and explosions.

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 containers that are used to transport the materials should preferably be made of glass. Plastic and metal are susceptible to chemical reactions hence are not a good choice for transporting chemicals. Inspect the containers carefully to ascertain that they are secure and are without leakages especially if you consider transporting them over some distance.

There are a number of companies that deal with the business of disposing of these kind of materials. Each has separate guidelines as to how you are supposed to deliver the material to them. Generally, though, many of them do not allow the mixing of hazardous substances with commercial waste, they also do not accept what is considered illegal. You will be required to ensure that all the substances are well labelled in their original containers.

What you should always remember is to ask for help whenever you are in doubt about handling any hazardous substances. You can do this by contacting the manufacturer or a professional in the business. If you accidentally come into contact with these substances, seek immediate medical attention.




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