Our lifestyles are supported by complex Industrial activities that produce many different chemicals and chemical wastes. The Industries that produce our clothing, cars, medicines, paper, food, fuels, steel, plastics, and electric components use and discard thousands of chemicals every year. At home we may use lawn chemicals, solvents, disinfectants, cleaners, and auto products to Improve our quality of life. A chemical that presents a threat or unreasonable risk to people or the environment Is a hazardous material. When a hazardous material can no longer be used, It becomes a hazardous waste. Hazardous wastes come from a variety of sources, from both present and past activities. Impacts to human health and the environment can result from Improper handling and disposal of hazardous waste.
Citation Information
| Publication Year | 1996 |
|---|---|
| Title | Hazardous waste: cleanup and prevention |
| DOI | 10.3133/70047734 |
| Authors | Stephen Vandas, Nancy L. Cronin, Frank Farrar, Guillermo Eliezer Ávila Serrano, Oscar Efraín González Yajimovich, Aurora R. Muñoz, María del C. Rivera |
| Publication Type | Report |
| Publication Subtype | USGS Unnumbered Series |
| Series Title | General Information Product |
| Index ID | 70047734 |
| Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
| USGS Organization | Water Resources Program |