**Unit 5:**

**HAZARDOUS MATERIALS**

**IN THE HOME**

**In this unit, you will learn about:**

-   Common household hazardous materials; their effects on people and
    the environment; safe alternatives to these products; and their
    proper use, storage, and disposal

-   What to do in the event of accidental poisoning from household
    hazardous materials, including the role of a poison control center
    and first aid techniques

-   Hazardous waste disposal, the results of incorrect disposal, and
    suggestions for improving local hazardous waste disposal programs
    and policies

Disposal of household wastes has been a persistent problem throughout
history. Solutions to many aspects of this problem are surprisingly
recent: for example, sewage treatment plants were first constructed only
100 years ago. This lag time between problem and solution has
intensified as technology produces more and more household products
whose use and disposal constitutes a hazard.

In an average city of 1 00,000 residents, 23.5 tons of toilet bowl
cleaner, 13.5 tons of liquid household cleaners, and 3.5 tons of motor
oil are discharged into city drains each month, according to the
Environmental Hazards Management Institute. These figures do ***not***
reflect the large quantities of household hazardous wastes disposed of
in backyards.

We rely on the drain and the garbage truck for disposing of our wastes.
Increasingly, however, these methods are becoming inadequate for
disposing of materials we no longer want. We must learn how to
***manage*** our household hazardous materials: their use, storage, and
ultimate disposal.

**COMMON HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS MATERIALS**

Toxic chemicals are stored in almost every room of a typical American
home: cleansers in the kitchen, fresheners in the bathroom, and hobby
supplies in the workroom, to name but a few. Incorrect use of these
products may create unnecessary health risks for you and your family. In
addition, improper disposal of hazardous waste from these household
products can contaminate our land, water, and air.

*The drain and the garbage truck are increasingly becoming inadequate
for disposing of materials we no longer want.*

Understanding the nature of products that contain hazardous materials is
the first step toward learning how to use them appropriately. This
section provides basic information on some of the most common household
hazardous materials.

**Lead**

Lead---which can cause anemia, brain damage, and damage to the
digestive, neuromuscular, and central nervous systems-may be found in
home plumbing systems. Lead contaminates tap water through
***leaching---***either from lead water pipes or from the lead solder
used to join sections of copper plumbing.

The amount of lead that leaches into the water you drink depends on the
materials used in your plumbing system, the age of the plumbing, and the
amount of time that water stands in the pipes. The longer water is in
the pipes before it is used, the more lead it absorbs.

New copper plumbing installed with lead solder may leach high levels of
lead into tap water for three or more years. Lead contamination is more
likely if the plumbing was not installed by a professional plumber,
since amateurs tend to use too much solder when attempting to join the
pipes.

*Hazardous materials are used throughout the house, eventually reaching
the environment.*

Many homes built before World War II have lead service pipes which may
corrode and add lead to the tap water. A service pipe brings water into
the house through the basement wall or floor, and connects to your water
meter. Your service line is probably made of lead if:

-   It is grey

-   It will not attract a magnet

-   It can be easily gouged with a key

-   It does not have a sharp bend or elbow

Two precautions will help lessen the amount of lead in household water:

1.  If the water has not been used for several hours, let the faucet run
    until the water temperature changes (usually three to five minutes).
    This ensures that you are getting fresh water rather than water that
    has been standing in the pipes.

2.  Do not drink water from the hot water faucet or use it in cooking.
    Hot water remains stationary in the tank and pipes for a longer
    time; also, the higher temperatures increase the amount of lead that
    the water absorbs.

Lead can also be a problem in paint, in older homes, particularly if
peeling paint is ingested by children.

**Asbestos**

Exposure to asbestos causes no immediate symptoms; however, there is a
high correlation between asbestos exposure and the eventual development
of chest and abdominal cancers and lung disease. Smokers have a greater
chance of developing asbestos-induced lung cancer.

Since the mid-1960s, asbestos has been recognized as a cancer risk.
Consequently, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) programs address its
containment and removal, especially in school environments. The
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) also has strict
rules concerning worker exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos is now being phased out of all commercial uses. Because of its
excellent capabilities for insulation and fire protection, however,
asbestos has been used extensively in a wide variety of products. These
include household and building materials such as appliances, ceilings,
wall and pipe coverings, floor tiles, and some roofing materials.
Contact the product manufacturer or an asbestos handier (e.g., plumber,
building or heating contractor, etc.) to determine if a specific
material or product in your home contains asbestos.

Usually, asbestos is not a serious threat to health until it is damaged
or disturbed. Once it is disturbed, even slightly, the fibers give off
toxic dust. Given the dangers associated with asbestos, removal of
asbestos should be handled only by trained and qualified contractors.

**Formaldehyde**

Exposure to formaldehyde typically produces eye, nose, and throat
irritation; wheezing and coughing; fatigue; skin rash; and severe
allergic reactions. Other immediate reactions may include nausea and a
loss of coordination. Long-term effects from exposure may include liver,
kidney, and central nervous system damage. In addition, formaldehyde is
a suspected carcinogen.

Although its use is regulated by both EPA and the Department of Housing
and Urban Development (HUD), formaldehyde is still widely used in the
makeup of such building materials as plywood, particle board, and
urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI). It can be found in carpeting
and furniture made with pressed wood products, permanent press drapes,
and some glues. Also, like asbestos, formaldehyde has been extensively
used in insulation.

To reduce exposure to formaldehyde, use "exterior grade" pressed wood
products which release less of the chemical. Also, use air conditioning
and dehumidifiers to maintain moderate temperatures and reduce humidity
levels. Finally, increase ventilation, particularly after bringing new
sources of formaldehyde into your home.

**Organic Solvents**

Solvents---fluids that dissolve other substances---can cause a variety
of irritations, injuries, and diseases if used improperly. Inhaling
these substances can irritate the mucous membranes of the throat and
lungs, and can also produce nausea, headaches, muscular weakness,
drowsiness, and impaired motor response. Eye irritation or injury can
result from absorption. Certain solvents can even cause liver damage.

Water, the most familiar and universal of solvents, is often used as a
base for other solvents. Most household solvents, however, are
petroleum-based. Because of their ability to dissolve oily materials
(including skin oils), many organic solvents can easily enter the body.
Solvents are found in paints, paint thinners and strippers, floor
polish, cleansers and disinfectants, spot removers, and rug cleaners. In
addition to emitting toxic vapors, many of these products re highly
flammable, requiring careful attention to storage instructions.

*Many household organic solvents can damage the skin as well as emit
harmful vapors. Some acids and bases with corrosive properties can cause
severe internal damage or death if ingested in even small quantities.*

Most cleaners and strippers can harm the skin, and emit harmful organic
vapors. Phenol and cresol (cresylicacid) are particularly harmful
ingredients that exist in some of these products. Both can cause
extremely painful burning if spilled on the skin, and can be readily
absorbed into the bloodstream, harming vital organs. Neither chemical
can be removed from leather and other organic products. If leather shoes
or similar articles were to become contaminated, they would have to be
discarded.

To reduce exposure to solvents, wear protective clothing, including
solvent-resistant gloves, when using these products. Protective goggles
may also be required (check the product's label for specific
instructions). For all organic solvents, it is important to avoid
touching your eyes when your hands are contaminated.

Even though solvents dry quickly, the vapors linger in the air. Work
outside with solvents whenever possible, or use in well-ventilated
areas. All organic solvents, at ***any***, level of exposure, are
considered dangerous to pregnant women at ***any*** stage of the
pregnancy.

If an accident occurs involving organic solvents, the victim must be
immediately moved to receive fresh air and emergency medical care. Eyes
must be rinsed continually with clear water for at least 15 minutes
after contact with a solvent; any exposed skin must be washed with soap
and water and rinsed thoroughly.

**Pesticides**

Pesticides are **poisons**, whether used in the flea collars of pets, on
lawns, in gardens, or sprayed indoors to combat vermin and rodents. In
sufficient quantity, pesticides can be injurious or even fatal if
ingested, absorbed through the skin, or inhaled. In California alone,
there are an estimated 14,000 incidents of pesticide exposure per year
which result in requests for medical assistance. Most of these involve
children and occur in the home or garden.

Pesticide poisoning is sometimes mistaken for the flu: symptoms may
include headaches, nausea, dizziness, and overall aches. Some pesticides
remain in the environment for a long time, resisting natural means of
breakdown and decomposition. Besides destroying harmful insects, some
pesticides can also destroy plants, pets, ***beneficial*** insects, and
other wildlife. Some authorities believe that as many as 50 percent of
all pesticides have not been adequately tested for their ability to
cause cancer or birth defects.

Public interest has spurred research on alternatives to pesticides and
increased public use of these alternatives. Examples include:

-   Importing known, natural predators such as praying mantises and
    ladybugs to help control pests; these beneficial insects may be
    purchased from some retailers.

-   "Comparison planting"---for example, nasturtiums and rue are
    repellant to many insects.

-   Insecticidal soap for plants.

Additionally, removing plant debris and wood from a garden will make it
less attractive to insects.

There are also various homemade, nonpolluting alternatives to
pesticides---e.g., pepper (the taste of which repels many insects), beer
(to attract and kill slugs and snails), and salt (to kill crabgrass).
Additional alternatives may be found in a number of commonly available
books and pamphlets on organic gardening.

**Acids and Bases**

Acids and bases are common chemicals found in both household and work
environments, which can often cause severe burns or even permanent
destruction to organic tissue. Certain acids and bases can also cause
death.

Household acids are found in many tub and tile cleaners and toilet bowl
cleaners, and are also found (in much stronger concentrations) in car
batteries.

Bases are the chemical opposites of acids, and frequently have chemical
names that end in hydroxide, oxide, or -amine. Bases often contain lye
or sodium hydroxide, which is highly corrosive to body tissue and can
also cause burns. The degree of the burn depends on the amount of
chemical exposure as well as an individual's sensitivity to the
chemical. Lye is most commonly found in drain openers and oven cleaners;
most drain opener accidents involve children whose mouth, face,
esophagus, or stomach is burned by the lye.

When an acid is mixed with a base, the substances react---often
violently. While a waste treatment facility can combine these substances
in proportions that will render the mixture harmless, a chance encounter
in a garbage can could cause an accident. Small quantities of acids and
bases can be diluted and safely disposed of in the drain, but larger
quantities should be taken to hazardous waste disposal facilities or
drop-off locations designated by the local government. Acids and bases
should also be stored separately.

**USING AND STORING HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS MATERIALS**

**Understanding Product Labels.**

Product labels for hazardous materials provide much useful information
concerning dangers and precautions for use and disposal. For example,
the signal word---required to be prominently displayed on the
label---indicates the degree of danger that may be created by the
chemicals in the product:

-   ***DANGER***---the ***highest*** degree of hazard

-   ***WARNING***---***intermediate*** degree of hazard

-   ***CAUTION***---the ***lowest*** degree of hazard

*The most commonly used consumer products are not without hazardous side
effects.*

Additionally, if the danger is due to ingestion, inhalation, or dermal
contact, ***the label may have a picture of a skull and crossbones.***
Children can be attracted by this picture, however, so the American
National Standards Institute (ANSI) has developed a system that uses
words instead of symbols. These ANSI labels also warn of short- and
long-range hazards, including any chronic health effects, reproductive
disorders, or cancer-causing properties associated with the product. At
right is an example of an ANSI label.

**Reducing Risks From Household Products**

Household hazardous materials should be stored and used carefully and
appropriately. The following suggestions will help you reduce your
family's risk of harmful exposure to household hazardous materials:

*A sample label for a product containing hazardous ingredients, in the
format recommended by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).*

1.  Read the label before purchasing a product containing hazardous
    materials. If you decide to buy the product, take the responsibility
    for using and disposing of it properly.

2.  Buy only the amount you will use in the near future. Except for
    medicines and certain pesticides, give any "leftovers" to someone
    who can use them ***properly***.

3.  Always keep substances in their ***original*** containers, and make
    sure that the labels are securely attached. Label information is
    vital in the event of adverse reactions from the product.

4.  Consider keeping a list of any hazardous products you store in your
    home. Include the name of the product, date of purchase, and
    emergency care information.

5.  Keep all household products in a cool, dry place, securely out of
    the reach of children and pets. Check containers periodically for
    deterioration, and ensure that lids are kept tightly closed. Dispose
    of products immediately and appropriately when they reach their
    stated expiration date.

6.  Incompatible chemical products should be stored separately. To find
    out which -chemicals in your household are incompatible, check with
    your local or State office of public health.

7.  Carefully read and follow directions for product use. Use products
    only at their recommended strength (dilution). Never mix chemical
    substances. If you are using several substances one after another,
    rinse all traces of the first away before using the second. Wear
    appropriate protective clothing, goggles, or gloves. Prevent
    splashing, and work only in well-ventilated areas.

8.  Use natural, less toxic products or alternatives whenever possible.
    A list of several common alternatives appears at left.

9.  Place the phone number of the poison control center and your local
    emergency medical service on or beside your telephone.

10. Be prepared to provide first aid during chemical-related and other
    emergencies by taking a First Aid and CPR course (such as those
    offered by your local Red Cross chapter).

*These simple alternatives can eliminate the need for many hazardous
materials commonly found in the home.*

**Improving Household Ventilation and Air Quality**

When there is a low ***air exchange rate*** (the rate at which outside
air replaces indoor air), the pollutant levels created by household
products containing hazardous chemicals can increase.

Usually, the most effective way to improve indoor air quality is to
eliminate individual sources of pollution. Some sources, like those
containing asbestos, can be sealed or enclosed. New carpeting that
contains sufficient quantities of formaldehyde or other volatile organic
compounds may cause sickness and have to be removed. Workrooms where
substances with toxic vapors are used must be adequately ventilated.

Another approach to lowering the concentrations of hazardous air in the
home is to increase the amount of outside air allowed indoors. Opening
windows and doors, when the weather permits, increases the natural
ventilation rate. Similarly, turning on bathroom or kitchen exhaust
fans, if they are vented to the outdoors, can lower pollution levels by
removing contaminants from the room where the fan is located.

Another way to increase the air exchange rate is to install heat
recovery ventilators to filter pollutants from the air. Your local
utility company or heating/air conditioning contractor is a good source
for more information on this option.

It is particularly important to take as many of these steps as possible
while you are involved in short-term activities that can generate high
levels of pollutants---for example, painting or paint stripping, or
maintenance and hobby activities such as welding, soldering, or sanding.
If practical, you might choose to do some of these activities outside.
In addition, you should remain alert to signs of inadequate airflow,
such as stuffy air, moisture condensation on cold surfaces, or mold or
mildew growth.

**FIRST AID**

If someone shows symptoms of toxic effects from household products, they
should be treated ***immediately***. The steps to be performed will vary
depending on the toxic substance, how the victim was exposed to the
substance (swallowed, inhaled, or contact with skin), and the specific
first aid procedures recommended by the Poison Control Center or
professional medical personnel.

*In cases of eye contact with a hazardous substance, flush the eye with
clear water for at least 15 minutes and get medical attention. In cases
of skin contact, toxic contaminants may removed by thorough washing.*

**First Aid Measures You Can Take Immediately**

First, if the rescuer can do so without endangering his or her safety,
the victim should be removed from further contact with the hazardous
material or its by-products. For instance, if the vapors of the chemical
are toxic, the person should be moved outside.

Next, call the Poison Control Center for directions. They will tell you
what you can do to help the victim. If the incident requires it you will
also notify your local Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Many toxic
product labels list first aid measures to be taken in case of exposure,
but the directions are not always reliable. Although exposure symptoms
may be similar for some chemicals, first aid treatments could still be
different. Therefore, your actions should be guided by the Poison
Control Center or the EMS.

If an eye should contact a hazardous substance, immediately flush the
eye with clear water for at least 15 minutes and ***get medical
attention***. A few seconds' delay can greatly increase the extent of
the injury.

Finally, when the victim is transported for further medical attention,
have the product container and, any vomit or excretions from the victim
sent with the EMS.

**The Poison Control Center**

Poison Control Centers are located throughout the country, and are
dedicated to handling calls relating to medical emergencies involving
poisons. On an average day, a center may handle over 200 calls. Keep the
telephone number for the poison control center nearest your home on the
inside front cover of your local telephone book and on the phone itself.

When you call a Poison Control Center, you will need to have the
hazardous material's container close at hand. You will most likely be
asked to provide information on the product's name and manufacturer,
which will be keyed into a computer database to provide an immediate
readout of ingredients, toxic effects, and recommended first aid
procedures. You will be "talked through" any steps that require
immediate action. The Poison Control Center operator may also be able to
directly notify your local rescue personnel.

*Roughly half of all calls to Poison Control Centers are about accidents
involving children.*

**HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL**

It has been estimated that the average U.S. resident discards
approximately one ton of waste each year. It is not known how much of
this is hazardous waste. What is becoming increasingly obvious, however,
is that the standard approaches to waste disposal are generally
inadequate and frequently inappropriate for household hazardous waste.
The following section describes current methods of disposing of waste,
and some of thus associated problems and issues.

**Landfills**

Landfills currently receive 80 percent of the Nation's total waste.
Here, organic items---such as food wastes, leaves and grass---usually
decompose quickly. This garbage, however, contains contaminants that can
pollute groundwater. The most common form of contamination at a landfill
site is ***toxic leachate***. Formed as rainwater percolates down
through a landfill, leachate carries soluble toxic and hazardous
materials absorbed from the garbage downward through the soil.

Landfills must be properly situated to protect groundwater supplies.
While technologies exist that can prevent toxic leachate from reaching
and contaminating water supplies, the best and newest technologies are
often too expensive for a local government's budget. As existing
landfills near capacity and fewer new landfills are developed due to
public pressure, communities are increasingly challenged by the question
of what to do with their refuse. It has been estimated that one-third of
the Nation's landfills will be full by 1991.

**Incinerators**

Incinerators are used by some communities to burn trash and thereby
reduce the volume of garbage; however, landfills must still be used for
the large quantities of resulting ash. Although volume reduction is a
positive step, incineration raises issues concerning air pollution and
the toxicity of the remaining ash. These issues must be addressed before
incineration can be considered the best alternative.

Other methods for community waste disposal, especially for toxic wastes,
are currently being studied. However, at the time of this writing none
have proven satisfactory on a large scale.

**Sewer Systems**

When poured into the sink, hazardous substances in liquid form may
corrode plumbing, collect in the sink's trap and release fumes, and/or
cause septic system malfunctions. These toxic substances may also
contaminate groundwater supplies.

In most cities and suburban areas, wastes travel through the pipes of
individual buildings and directly into the common sewers. The
***sewers*** are a system of underground pipes that carry liquid wastes
from each house, store, and off ice building, and collect it as sewage
in pipes or ***trunk lines.***

For decades, sewage was routinely dumped directly into rivers, lakes,
and oceans. Many waterways still serve as dumping grounds for millions
of gallons of raw sewage each day. Much of this sewage is contaminated;
this in turn contaminates the food chain, which means that fish living
in a toxic environment absorb or ingest the poisons and pass them on to
people who eat the fish.

To keep toxic substances out of the water, most cities and towns have
some type of sewage treatment plant. Again, however, developing the most
up-to-date facilities for treating wastes before they are dumped in
waterways is considered by some communities to be prohibitively
expensive.

*Landfills must be properly situated to prevent the contamination of
groundwater supplies.*

**Septic Tanks and Drainfields**

In rural areas, buildings are not connected to a sewer system, but
rather make use of a ***septic tank***---that is, a large underground
concrete container through which most sewage eventually drains into the
soil.

While the waste water is in the septic tank, heavier solids (called
***sludge***) settle to the bottom. Bacteria in the tank gradually break
down nontoxic wastes. Lighter solids and liquids are discharged into a
***drainfield***, a large area of gravel and soil.

As the liquid ***percolates*** (filters) down through the soil, some
pollutants will be slowly decomposed by microorganisms. However, many
household toxic wastes will not be broken down by this process,
resulting in contamination of the land and local wells. Of particular
concern is the hazardous practice of using septic tank "conditioners"
such as trichloroethylene (possibly the most common groundwater
contaminant). All of these solvents are toxic, some are carcinogenic,
and most are sufficiently water soluble to enter and travel considerable
distances in groundwater. To avoid potential contamination of drinking
water, avoid the use of conditioners and do not dispose of significant
quantities of hazardous wastes by flushing.

*In rural areas, buildings often make use of a septic tank rather than a
sewer system for waste disposal. Some toxic wastes flushed into the tank
will not break down when they enter the drainfield, polluting the soil
and possibly the groundwater as well.*

**Injuries from Household Garbage**

Another concern related to proper disposal of household hazardous wastes
is that sanitation workers may be seriously injured when handling these
substances. In a few cases, sanitation workers have died from exposure
to hazardous chemicals placed for routine trash pickup.

Most garbage trucks use automated compactors to increase the amount of
trash collected in each trip. When a household hazardous waste, such as
a partially used container of furniture stripper, is compacted, the
container can explode, causing the released substance to injure the skin
or eyes of a sanitation worker.

The inadequacies of these waste disposal methods illustrate the need for
better public understanding of safe disposal methods to minimize the
risk to sanitation workers, the environment, and the drinking water
supply.

**Safe Disposal of Household Hazardous Wastes**

A large part of the household hazardous waste disposal problem stems
from the fact that these wastes are generated on an individual basis,
and are likely to be disposed of individually as well. One discarded can
of furniture spray, the used motor oil from a single car, or a jar of
old prescription medicine do not seem able to threaten an entire
waterway---but accumulating in quantity, they can. Ironically, such
household waste is easier to handle in ***larger*** quantities:
commercial hazardous waste disposal facilities will not accept household
hazardous wastes unless they are collected and combined.

How should you dispose of your household waste? How can you help your
community tackle its hazardous waste problem?

The safest way to get rid of hazardous household products is to use them
until they are gone. If this is not possible, give the product (in its
original container) to someone who can use it up appropriately and
legally. ***Try to recycle the material, if possible.*** If your
community has no recycling program appropriate for the material, refer
to the product's label for any directions on disposal.

In general, when disposing of ***hazardous*** household products, do
***NOT:***

-   Pour them into storm sewers

-   Pour them into septic tanks

-   Bury chemicals or containers in the yard or garden

-   Burn chemicals or containers

-   Mix chemicals together

In addition, significant quantities of a hazardous substance should not
be thrown in the trash or poured down the drain. Some household products
should not ever be disposed of in this way. Consult the product label
for disposal directions.

In many jurisdictions, it is illegal as well as unsafe to dispose of
hazardous products improperly. Product labels for hazardous household
substances normally list safe disposal methods for the specific product;
in addition, the table on the following page provides a number of proven
methods for the safe disposal of specific household hazardous materials.

**Community Collection Days**

Concern over household hazardous waste has prompted more than 600
communities across the country to hold hazardous waste collection day
programs. Held once or twice a year, these days offer residents an
opportunity to safely dispose of their hazardous wastes. Collection days
(sometimes sponsored in their entirety by government agencies, at other
times a combination of private and public sector resources) have been
increasingly popular across the country. Besides allowing for safe
disposal of toxic wastes, these collection days offer opportunities for
public education about the dangers and proper use and disposal of
hazardous wastes. After collection, communities usually transport their
household hazardous wastes to specially designed landfills; in some
communities, these wastes are recycled. Several commercial companies
dealing with hazardous waste disposal are researching disposal
alternatives such as using chemicals to detoxify wastes, since many of
the special landfills are becoming full. Moreover, some areas are
devising creative options for reuse: Rhode Island, for instance,
collects motor oil and uses it in the State's maintenance garages.

The most significant achievement of the community collection day is the
ability to treat household wastes innovatively and efficiently by
consolidating the waste. However, considerable time, money, and
publicity are required to make it work. Also, if collections do not
occur with sufficient frequency, hazardous wastes can accumulate to
undesirably high levels in the home.

**Permanent Drop-Off Facilities**

A more efficient and convenient method of community household waste
disposal is to establish ***permanent*** facilities for hazardous waste
storage and transfer. Residents would not have to store materials in
their homes for six months or more between community collection days,
and long lines would be eliminated. Some areas of the country---like San
Bernadino County, California, and Martha's Vineyard,
Massachusetts---have taken this step and established permanent drop-off
facilities.

Commercial development of such permanent sites has been considered, but
has not yet proven viable. If a company were to establish such a
drop-off point, some means of paying for the handling and disposal of
the waste must be devised. Although the idea of a user fee (to be paid
by the disposing homeowner) is attractive, it may be so high that it
would discourage participation. Surveys have shown that people are
willing to spend \$10 to \$25 per carload/per year to dispose of
household hazardous wastes. Hiring employees, obtaining liability
insurance, and building the facility must also be considered. At
present, these facilities are not economically attractive enough to
stimulate unsubsidized private development.

*It is often illegal, as well as unsafe, to dispose of hazardous
materials improperly. While product labels are the best source of safe
disposal methods for a particular substance, a number of more general
methods have been proven to be safe and effective.*

**What Communities Are Doing**

The following paragraphs describe recent or ongoing community waste
disposal programs. These are included to help you determine if similar
programs are or can be implemented in your community.

-   ***Florida's*** "Amnesty Day" program, the first collection program
    in the country to be funded and operated entirely by the State, was
    financed through Florida's Water Quality Assurance Trust Fund. The
    program served not only homeowners but also small businesses, farms,
    and institutions. Over the past two years, 7,000 residents disposed
    of 351 tons of hazardous waste.

-   ***Rhode Island*** provides innovative recycling opportunities
    through its collection program. Funding for the program, which has
    been operational for several years, comes from a special bond
    authorization which was voted into effect by the general public.

-   The ***Massachusetts*** Household Hazardous Waste program,
    "Operation Clean Sweep," has a matching grant program which pays 50
    percent of the cost of collection while individual towns supply
    matching funds.

-   In ***Iowa***, retailers selling products designated as household
    hazardous wastes must apply for a permit each year. Revenues
    generated by the permit fees go toward funding household hazardous
    waste collection days. Retailers must also label the area where
    hazardous products are displayed, and must provide the public with
    consumer information booklets of the use and disposal of household
    hazardous wastes.

-   ***The San Bernadino County, California,*** Health Department has
    two permanent collection facilities, one at the county agricultural
    center and one at a fire department. Although the issue of liability
    has been discussed, the county is self-insured. Employees of the
    health and fire department unload, sort, and package the wastes, and
    a hazardous waste contractor picks up the material on a regular
    basis.

Suggestions like the ones just described can be modified to meet the
needs of your community's volume of hazardous wastes and the funds
available to spend on the problem.

**What You Can Do**

If your community currently has no educational or collection programs
for hazardous wastes, you may want to take some aggressive action to
fill the gap. Citizens can work toward having their communities set up a
hazardous waste collection day or a permanent facility through
persistence and effective organization. Steps in this process include:

1.  Discover all you can about the disposal problem in general and in
    your community in particular.

2.  Decide who else to include in your campaign. If your local
    government officials tend to be responsive, a direct approach may
    work. If not, you may need to organize local groups or individuals
    to help your cause.

3.  You can lobby directly for government funding, changes in State and
    local ordinances to obtain funding through bonds or user permits, or
    changes to State and local laws that will protect against toxic
    Wastes. For example, promote source ***reduction---***fewer toxic
    constituents in products mean less toxic waste to dispose of.

**SUMMARY**

While we often attribute our Nation's problems with hazardous materials
to industry, we forget that as consumers we voluntarily buy and store
materials with harmful properties in our own homes, contributing to our
community's collective exposure as we use and dispose of them. Among
materials commonly found in homes are lead, asbestos, formaldehyde,
organic solvents, pesticides, and acides and bases. It is important for
us as consumers to lower household exposures to toxic chemicals by using
non-toxic substitutes where we can and ensuring adequate ventilation.
Further, by keeping the number of the Poison Control Center on the
phone, we can be prepared to assist someone in our home who is injured
by a toxic product. Always read the label of chemicals you bring into
your home so you know what harmful effects they might have and how to
use them properly.

Toxic products are disposed of at landfills and incinerators, and at the
home level through flushing them into the sewer system or septic tank.
This can be dangerous for many toxic products. Disposal in the trash can
also injure sanitation workers. The safest way to dispose of significant
quantities of hazardous waste is through community collection programs
which can treat the waste properly. Many communities have active
programs to provide for safe disposal of potentially harmful products. 

**HAZ MAT TEASER**

(answers on page A-3)

Hazardous materials can be found in a variety of places, often where you
least expect them. For example, the average hardware store in your
community offers a variety of commonly used household products
containing hazardous materials. If these products are used according to
their label directions, most can be considered safe; however, if they
should break, spill, or become involved in a fire, they have the
potential to become deadly. Mark the numbers corresponding to the
hazardous materials shown below on the diagram of Bob's Hardware Store
pictured above, to indicate the store departments where each hazardous
material might be found. Note: Some numbers may be used more than once.

In which departments of the hardware store might you find:

1.  Acids and bases

2.  Flammables

3.  Formaldehyde

4.  Solvents

5.  Phenols

6.  Poisons

7.  Pesticides

As you walk through the store, your child accidentally knocks a bottle
of caustic drain cleaner off a shelf. Part of its contents splash onto
your leg. What first aid steps would you immediately take? Who would you
call for additional first aid information?

**CHECK YOUR MEMORY**

(answers on page A-4)

1.  If you discover that loose asbestos was used as a pipe covering in
    your basement, you should:

    a.  Not worry about it, because there is insufficient evidence that
        it is a hazard

    b.  Shake it loose with gardening or cleaning tools and throw it
        away

    c.  Remove it only if it is damaged or deteriorated

    d.  Call a qualified contractor to remove it

2.  Phenol and cresol are particularly harmful ingredients that can be
    found in some \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_:

    a.  Cleaners and strippers

    b.  Paints

    c.  Glues

    d.  Carpets

3.  Which of the following is ***not*** typically an organic solvent?

    a.  Paint thinner and stripper

    b.  Floor polish

    c.  Drain cleaner

    d.  Rug cleaner

4.  Which of the following warning labels indicates the ***highest***
    degree of hazard?

    a.  Danger

    b.  Warning

    c.  Caution

5.  If someone in your house gets a toxic substance in the eye, you
    should ***FIRST:***

    a.  Take him/her to the emergency room

    b.  Telephone the doctor for instructions

    c.  Begin flushing the eye with clear water

    d.  Take him/her outside to fresh air

6.  When you wish to dispose of a hazardous household substance and you
    cannot find anyone to use it up, the best option is to:

    a.  Throw it in the trash

    b.  Pour it down the drain

    c.  Take it to a legally designated drop-off site

    d.  Bury it in your yard

7.  The following is an example of a successful approach to collecting
    hazardous waste:

    a.  Community collection days

    b.  A permanent drop-off point

    c.  An open landfill

    d.  Both a and b