![]() One study found neighbors were sickened after sludge applied to a farm field blew over their homes. Yet some environmental and health organizations have criticized the practice, saying it could cause harm by introducing dangerous substances over time. Industry groups, and the government, say use of the material is safe. Every day, 1.3 million commuters travel into Manhattan to work for the day and then return to their homes at night. New York's Grand Central Station overflows with a sea of commuters and travelers at rush hour. The agency allows sludges that contain toxic materials to be used, as long as the concentrations of heavy metals, pathogens, or other harmful substances don’t exceed legal thresholds. The EPA allows certain waste sludges-often called biosolids-to be used in fertilizers that are used by farmers on food crops or sold directly to the public. One EPA rule that has proved controversial governs handling of sludge-including sewer sludge-generated by some water treatment and industrial processes. They point out that a disproportionate number of toxic waste sites tend to be located in or near low-income and communities of color, in part because such communities often have fewer resources to oppose such activities.Īt the same time, many corporations argue that regulations on hazardous wastes are too strict, and they often lobby Congress to soften or remove certain restrictions. ![]() In particular, many groups have accused governments and corporations of environmental racism when it comes to toxic waste. ![]() Yet some community activists and environmentalists have long complained about what they view as lax enforcement of hazardous waste regulations, both by the federal and state governments. ![]() federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act regulates how hazardous waste must be handled and stored. Other waste sites are the result of more recent illegal dumping. Many toxic waste dumps that still pose a threat to communities are holdovers from the era prior to 1976. Violations of the law, like dumping untreated hazardous waste on the ground or in town landfills to avoid paying the fees charged by designated waste facilities, may result in hefty fines or even jail time. Communities may eventually decide to use these sites for golf courses or parks, or to label them “ brownfields” sites, suitable for commercial or industrial uses. Less toxic waste that is unlikely to migrate, like soil containing lead, is sometimes allowed to remain in place and then sealed with a cap of hard clay. Toxic Lake Bursts Into Flames Toxic waste in practiceĪ common hazardous waste facility is one that stores the material in sealed containers in the ground. Many towns have special collection days for household hazardous waste. The EPA now requires that hazardous waste be handled with special precautions and be disposed of in designated facilities. In the U.S., toxic waste has been overseen by the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) since 1976, as well as state departments of environmental protection. In the past, many hazardous wastes were only loosely regulated, allowing substantial contamination of communities and the environment. Humans or wildlife often absorb these toxic substances when they eat fish or other prey. Some toxins, such as mercury and lead, persist in the environment for many years and accumulate over time. Toxic waste can harm people, animals, and plants, whether it ends up in the ground, in streams, or even in the air. Even households generate hazardous waste, from items such as batteries, used computer equipment, and leftover paints or pesticides. The waste may be liquid, solid, or sludge and contain chemicals, heavy metals, radiation, pathogens, or other materials. Hazardous, or toxic, waste is the potentially dangerous byproduct of a wide range of activities, including manufacturing, farming, water treatment systems, construction, automotive garages, laboratories, hospitals, and other industries.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |