One of the most effective ways to fight fires is now one of the most dangerous to its users. Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) is a type of fire suppressant made with per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Unfortunately, recent research around PFAS from the Environmental Protection Agency revealed that these substances do not break down over
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Class 9 Hazardous Waste Guide
Regarding hazardous waste classes, 1–8 is relatively easy to identify since the materials are grouped by the hazardous conditions they create. But class 9 hazardous waste consists of everything else that doesn’t fit into one of those categories. Because Resource Conservation and Recovery Act regulations are so strict, it’s odd that class 9 hazardous waste
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Class 8 hazardous waste is one of the most destructive types of hazardous waste as it causes complete destruction of human skin within a single touch. This type of hazardous waste are the chemicals used in movies to scare you off. If you’re a hazardous waste generator, it’s time to fully protect yourself and your
... Continue ReadingWhat to Expect from a DEP Inspection
Attention small and large quantity hazardous waste generators: is your business following proper protocols and procedures to avoid violations during a DEP inspection? If you are unsure about the regulations surrounding hazardous waste and your business, you may be breaching regulations and face serious financial penalties. All generators of hazardous waste must follow Resource Conservation
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Large quantity generators reported 34.9 million tons of hazardous waste in 2019, and estimates are that those numbers will continue to rise as nations and cities urbanize. Because of the increased production of hazardous waste, the EPA continues to update and revise regulations for hazardous waste removal. That means choosing the right hazardous waste removal
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Owners of businesses in nearly every industry need to stay up to date on EPA regulations and violations to avoid unwanted penalties and fines. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has regulations in place that affect local, state and federal governments and their respective agencies. In addition, the EPA has regulations for almost every
... Continue ReadingWhat Happens to a Business After a Destructive Event?
Disasters happen more often than you think. Fires, floods, hurricanes, and other destructive events can not only bring severe damage to a business’s building, but hazardous waste can arise from the aftermath. On June 14, 2021, a chemical plant in Rockton, Illinois suffered an explosion and fire. It destroyed the building and sending hazardous debris
... Continue ReadingWhen Excess Hazardous Waste Contributes to Large Volume Designations: Managing Episodic Events
Producers of hazardous waste are broken down into three categories of waste generator status. We broke down these categories and their stipulations to define what constitutes a small quantity vs large quantity generator in a recent article. While the different categories are clear, the higher hazardous waste producers have a much higher level of compliance
... Continue ReadingORM-D Classification for Consumer Commodities Expires on January 1, 2021
On January 19, 2011, PHMSA of the US Department of Transportation (Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration) concluded five years of effort and issued an ever-evolving standard on Hazardous Material Regulations (HMR) in accordance with the United Nations Recommendations. On January 7, 2013, the PHMSA extended this authorization for the use of ORM-D classifications on
... Continue Reading4 Characteristics of Hazardous Waste for Completing Your Waste Profile
The EPA requires all hazardous waste producers to fill out an important form called a Hazardous Waste Profile. Formally known as the Waste Characterization Profile, the Hazardous Waste Profile requires a list of all chemical properties associated with the waste produced. This form must be completed before waste is disposed of or transported. The Hazardous
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