Hazardous waste takes many physical forms; it may be solid, semi-solid, liquid, or gaseous. It can include spent solvents as well as many pesticides and excess, discarded, or spilled chemicals.

In the past, industrial plants have discharged heavy metals and unstable organic compounds directly into streams or injected them into the earth’s subsurface through wells, causing illness in populations with close proximity to these toxic sites. Consequently, there has been a growing awareness of the dangerous side effects of hazardous waste contamination over the years.

Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to identify:

• Hazards of environmental waste
• Waste management concepts
• Ways to reduce waste and to prevent pollution
• How to respond effectively to a spill or release of hazardous material