Toxic waste


Toxic waste is any unwanted material in all forms that can cause harm. Mostly generated by industry, consumer products like televisions, computers, and phones contain toxic chemicals that can pollute the air and contaminate soil and water. Disposing of such waste is a major public health issue. Increased rates of cancer in humans and animals are linked to exposure to toxic chemicals. Toxic waste disposal is often seen as an environmental justice problem, as toxic waste is disproportionately dumped in or near marginalized communities.

Classifying toxic materials

Toxic materials are poisonous byproducts as a result of industries such as manufacturing, farming, construction, automotive, laboratories, and hospitals which may contain heavy metals, radiation, dangerous pathogens, or other toxins. Toxic waste has become more abundant since the Industrial Revolution, causing serious global issues. Disposing of such waste has become even more critical with the addition of numerous technological advances containing toxic chemical components. Products such as cellular telephones, computers, televisions, and solar panels contain toxic chemicals that can harm the environment if not disposed of properly to prevent air pollution and the contamination of soils and water. A material is considered toxic when it causes death or harm by being inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through the skin.
The waste can contain chemicals, heavy metals, radiation, dangerous pathogens, or other toxins. Even households generate hazardous waste from items such as batteries, used computer equipment, and leftover paints or pesticides. Toxic material can be either human-made and others are naturally occurring in the environment. Not all hazardous substances are considered toxic.
The United Nations Environment Programme has identified 11 key substances that pose a risk to human health:
  • Arsenic: used in making electrical circuits, as an ingredient in pesticides, and as a wood preservative. It is classified as a carcinogen.
  • Asbestos: is a material that was once used for the insulation of buildings, and some businesses are still using this material to manufacture roofing materials and brakes. Inhalation of asbestos fibers can lead to lung cancer and asbestosis.
  • Cadmium: is found in batteries and plastics. It can be inhaled through cigarette smoke or digested when included as a pigment in food. Exposure leads to lung damage, irritation of the digestive tract, and kidney disease.
  • Chromium: is used as brick lining for high-temperature industrial furnaces, as a solid metal used for making steel, and in chrome plating, manufacturing dyes and pigments, wood preserving, and leather tanning. It is known to cause cancer, and prolonged exposure can cause chronic bronchitis and damage lung tissue.
  • Clinical wastes: such as syringes and medication bottles can spread pathogens and harmful microorganisms, leading to a variety of illnesses.
  • Cyanide: a poison found in some pesticides and rodenticides. In large doses, it can lead to paralysis, convulsions, and respiratory distress.
  • Lead: is found in batteries, paints, and ammunition. When ingested or inhaled can cause harm to the nervous and reproductive systems, and kidneys.
  • Mercury: used for dental fillings and batteries. It is also used in the production of chlorine gas. Exposure can lead to birth defects and kidney and brain damage
  • PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, are used in many manufacturing processes, by the utility industry, and in paints and sealants. Damage can occur through exposure, affecting the nervous, reproductive, and immune systems, as well as the liver.
  • POPs, persistent organic pollutants. They are found in chemicals and pesticides and may lead to nervous and reproductive system defects. They can bio-accumulate in the food chain or persist in the environment and be moved great distances through the atmosphere.
  • Strong acids and alkalis used in manufacturing and industrial production. They can destroy tissue and cause internal damage to the body.
Toxic waste can be reactive, ignitable, and corrosive. In the United States, these wastes are regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
  • Reactive wastes are those that can cause explosions when heated, mixed with water or compressed. They can release toxic gases into the air. They are unstable even in normal conditions. An example is lithium–sulfur batteries.
  • Ignitable wastes have flash points of less than 60 degrees Celsius. They are very combustible and can cause fires. Examples are solvents and waste oils.
  • Corrosive wastes are liquids capable of corroding metal containers. These are acids or bases that have pH levels of less than or equal to 2, or greater than or equal to 12.5. An example is battery acid.
With the increase of worldwide technology, there are more substances that are considered toxic and harmful to human health. Technology growth at this rate is extremely daunting for civilization and can eventually lead to more harm/negative outcomes. Some of this technology includes cell phones and computers. Such items have been given the name e-waste or EEE, which stands for Electrical and Electronic Equipment. This term is also used for goods such as refrigerators, toys, and washing machines. These items can contain toxic components that can break down into water systems when discarded. The reduction in the cost of these goods has allowed for these items to be distributed globally without thought or consideration to managing the goods once they become ineffective or broken.
In the US, the Environmental Protection Agency and state environmental agencies develop and enforce regulations on the storage, treatment, and disposal of hazardous waste. The EPA requires that toxic waste be handled with special precautions, and be disposed of in designated facilities around the country. Also, many US cities have collection days where household toxic waste is gathered. Some materials that may not be accepted at regular landfills are ammunition, commercially generated waste, explosives/shock sensitive items, hypodermic needles/syringes, medical waste, radioactive materials, and smoke detectors.
Household products can be identified by warning labels that may include the storage or disposal of certain products. Within an average US household, there are approximately 15.5 pounds of hazardous material disposed of each year. To reduce a household's toxic waste, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services recommends that consumers be more cautious when buying products and try to avoid those with warning labels. Furthermore, following safe storage procedures and always working cautiously when using chemical-filled household products.

Hazardous effects

Environmental Impacts

Toxic waste has a variety of impacts on the environment. It has the potential to contaminate soil, lower air quality, pollute waterways, and increase wildfire risks. As hazardous chemicals enter the environment, it is difficult to remove them. As a result of the decomposition process of toxic waste, many harmful chemicals are released into the atmosphere.

Human Health Impacts

Toxic wastes often contain carcinogens, and exposure to these by some route, such as leakage or evaporation from the storage, causes cancer to appear at increased frequency in exposed individuals. For example, a cluster of the rare blood cancer polycythemia vera was found around a toxic waste dump site in northeast Pennsylvania in 2008.
Human health risks associated with exposure to toxic waste include cancer of the stomach, liver, lungs, and kidneys. Additionally, ischemic heart disease, leukemia, asthma hospitalization, and preterm birth are all linked to exposure to these toxic chemicals. Hospitalization rates of children 0–19 years old were found to be up to an average of 60% greater for leukemia cases and 16% greater for malignant tumors when children are exposed to toxic waste. Additionally, adults are put at a much greater risk of testis and breast tumors. Studies have found that female exposure to toxic waste can cause up to a 15% increase in mortality from breast tumors. Male exposure leads to a 19% increase in mortality for breast tumors and 76% increase of death rates from testis tumors.
Additionally, toxic waste can have serious effects on kids because their bodies and brains are still developing, making them more sensitive to harmful chemicals. Exposure to pollutants like lead, mercury, and other toxins has been linked to cognitive disabilities, including lower IQ, attention disorders, and learning difficulties. These effects can impact a child's ability to succeed in school and follow normal developmental milestones.

Wildlife Impacts

As harmful chemicals from toxic waste disposal enter the environment, it has multiple effects on the organisms and ecosystems that live in or near those areas. Similarly to humans, animals have an increased risk of life-threatening health effects such as cancer, endocrine disruption, weakened immune system function, and reproductive issues. The California Condor is an example of a species directly impacted by lead from toxic waste disposal. Lead was directly linked to the excessive thinning of the Congo’s eggshells, negatively affecting its reproduction rates.
As organisms consume other organisms, toxins can be bioaccumulated. As plants or organisms at the bottom of the food chain accumulate toxins and are then consumed, the toxins are also ingested. These toxins can build up over time and through trophic levels. As a result of the bioaccumulation of mercury in both freshwater and marine ecosystems, predatory fish are a significant source of mercury in human and animal diets.

Environmental Justice

Toxic waste often ends up in communities of color, Indigenous areas, and low-income neighborhoods due to a mix of historical injustice, economic exploitation, and political neglect. According to sociologist Robert Bullard, environmental racism is the root cause of marginalized communities facing a disproportionate share of environmental hazards. Bullard points out that "racial and ethnic inequality is perpetuated and reinforced by local governments in conjunction with urban-based corporations," which helps explain why these hazardous facilities are often placed in poorer areas where residents have less political power. These communities often lack the political power and resources to resist the placement of hazardous facilities. Industries target these areas because the land is cheaper and opposition is less organized. Redlining and segregation throughout history have concentrated more vulnerable populations in neglected areas, making them easy targets for the placement of mines, factories, and landfills. As a result, residents are vulnerable and have fewer options to relocate. Additionally, jobs or economic investments are sometimes offered as a justification for placing polluting industries in these marginalized communities. Bullard notes that this often means residents must accept dangerous working and living conditions just to keep their jobs or provide for their families. However, the short-term benefits don’t outweigh the long-term health risks, which include higher rates of asthma, cancer, and other illnesses.
Bullard also explains that government agencies and regulations often fail to enforce environmental protections equally. He states that “governments have often exploited the economic vulnerability of poor communities and states to implement their unsound and risky operations”, allowing more pollution in areas that are already disadvantaged. This systemic inequality means that many residents suffer from the burden of pollution while not receiving the protections they deserve. Overall, Bullard’s work makes it clear that these environmental injustices are deeply connected to racial and economic inequalities embedded in our society.