When these products need to be disposed of they are considered a hazardous waste. Improper disposal of hazardous waste has caused many problems to both human health and safety and the environment. For instance, workers have been injured by fires from hazardous waste which were improperly put in trash bins. Hazardous waste that is illegally poured down drains has caused damage to water treatment plants resulting in contaminated drinking water supplies. Improper storage, use and disposal of volatile materials has resulted in many people being exposed to hazardous materials in the air we breathe.
Hazardous wastes can be either liquid, solid or gas.
Hazardous wastes are classified as toxic, corrosive, ignitable or reactive. Can release heat or toxic materials or may explode under certain conditions A hazardous waste cannot be identified by sight alone - hazardous wastes can occur as liquids, solids or gases and may resemble harmless substances.