Professional Documents
Culture Documents
MODULE OVERVIEW
Course CePSWaM
Abbreviation:
Module No.: 1
Duration: 2 hours
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MODULE 1
to human health
to the environment
of accidents
1.1 INTRODUCTION
1.1.1 Purpose
WASTE CATEGORY
Others 5.37
Clinical 2.38
1.11
Containers
Figure 1:Catalyst
Quantity0.43 of Scheduled Wastes Generated by Waste Category
0.39
Paper & Plastic
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
PERCENTAGE (%)
INDUSTRY
Metal 35.12
16.48
Chemical
14.15
Electrical & Electronic
Others 6.43
5.49
Machinery
3.73
Rubber & Plastic
Petroleum 2.99
Textile 2.23
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
PERCENTAGE (%)
i. Waste generator;
ii. Waste contractor/transporter; and
iii.Waste treatment and disposal facilities.
i. Waste generator
Source reduction
Re-use/recycling
Treatment
Disposal
FOCUS STRATEGY
Eliminate Pollution
Recycle Prevention
Control &
Treat &
Disposal
Dispose
Explosivity
Flammability
Corrosivity
Reactivity
Human toxicological properties
Ecotoxicological properties
1.6.1 Introduction
This being said, in most cases materials which would be waste in other
countries will also be considered waste in Malaysia.
1.7.1 Introduction
The first step is to obtain a description of the waste from the generator.
This may immediately determine that it is scheduled waste. The waste
should, however, be examined to assess whether the classification
provided appears to be correct. A review of its basic properties (see
below) should normally be sufficient to confirm this.
Now, how does one decide whether a waste may cause a serious
threat to human health or the environment? The answer is that most
wastes which have these properties are by and large, chemical and oil
residues of one kind or another. These can usually by determined by
identifying:
Category of waste
according to the First Schedule
Origin
from which process, activity, occurrence, etc. the waste is generated
Physical properties of waste
Flash point
boiling point
consistency with room temperature (gas, liquid, sludge, solid)
vapours lighter/heavier than air
solubility in water
waste lighter/heavier than water
Risks
by inhalation
by oral intake
by dermal contact
The first is based on visual assessment of its physical state. This can
be divided into three main categories (solids, liquids, and sludge) and
each of the main categories can be divided further:
Solid
- Powder
- Mineral fibres
- small pieces
- medium size
- large size
- unknown
Liquid
- aqueous solution
- emulsion
- oil
- other hydrocarbon
- unknown
Sludge
- wet
- dry
- non-aqueous
- unknown
acidity/alkalinity:
- acidic waste
- basic waste
- neutral waste
- unknown
Flammability:
- highly inflammable
- combustible
- combustible in contact with other material or if dried
- not combustible
- unknown
Reactivity:
- with water
- with air
lid) and an attempt made to ignite it. Similarly reactivity with water can
be tested with a very small sample. Reactivity with air, which is not
commonly experienced, will be evident without any special tests.
Its odour
Direct evidence of hazardous properties, such as corrosivity
(which may be tested with a small piece of iron or other foil) or
volatility (which will be evident by evaporation and the
pr4esence of fumes.
They may take the form of a liquid, sludge, a powder or solid lumps.
Generally they appear dirty and do not look like a useful product or
material, although off-specification products, such as solvents, paints
or pharmaceuticals, may also be wastes, in which case they may be
difficult to distinguish from normal products.
Examples
1.8.1 Introduction
Explosive: substance and preparations which may explode under the effect of flame or
which are more sensitive to shocks or friction than dinitrobenzene
Oxidizing: substances and preparations which exhibit highly exothermic reactions when
in contact with other substances, particularly flammable substances
Highly flammable:
– liquid substances and preparations having a flash point below 21°C (including
extremely flammable liquids), or
– substances and preparations which may become hot and finally catch fire in contact
with air at ambient temperature without any application of energy
– solid substances and preparations which may readily catch fire after brief contact
with a source of ignition, or
– gaseous substances and preparations which are flammable in air at normal
pressure, or
– substances and preparations which, in contact with water or damp air, evolve highly
flammable gases in dangerous quantities
Flammable: liquid substances and preparations having a flash point equal to or greater
than 21°C and less than or equal to 55°C.
inflammation.
Harmful: substances and preparations which, if they are inhaled or ingested or if they
penetrate the skin, may involve limited health risks.
Toxic: substances and preparations (including very toxic substances and preparations)
which, if they are inhaled or ingested or if they penetrate the skin, may involve serious,
acute or chronic health risks and even death.
Corrosive: substances and preparations which may destroy living tissue on contact.
Mutagenic: substances and preparations which, if they are inhaled or ingested or if they
penetrate the skin, may induce hereditary genetic defects or increase their incidence.
Substances and preparations which release toxic gases in contact with water, air or an
acid.
Substances and preparations capable by any means, after disposal, of yielding another
substance, e.g. a leachate, which possesses any of the characteristics listed above.
kg is more typical.
1.10.1 Introduction
Within many countries throughout the world – North America, the EU,
Central and Eastern Europe and many other countries – however,
classification systems have been developed which go further than that
required by the Basel Convention. A classification system was
developed in the EU and implemented in 1994 which involves about 250
waste categories classified as hazardous.
(1) Ignitability
(2) Corrosivity
(3) Reactivity
(4) Toxicity
Flow Chart 1
Obtain
description of
waste from
producer
Is the waste
Is description in
Yes No clearly non- Yes
First Schedule?
scheduled?
No
Consider source of
waste and whether
hazardous materials
are used in process
Determine basic
properties of
waste
Yes
Demand an
analysis
Identify
Use classification components and Probably not
provided classify scheduled waste
accordingly
It will be seen that one of the key steps in this flow chart is the
identification of whether the waste is likely to have hazardous
properties. The existence of hazardous properties is important not only
in determining whether the waste should be classified as scheduled
waste but also for the protection and safety of those who come in
contact with it – including the industries as well as DOE officers
themselves.
REFERENCES
UNEP (1998). Report of the fourth meeting of the conference of the Parties to
the Basel Convention. Kuching, 23-27 February 1998. UNEP/CHW.4/35, 18
March 1998.