| What Causes Toxic Waste ?
To assess what is toxic or dangerous material, the United States EPA has imposed some considerations. The material is deemed as toxic waste if it has ignitability or corrosivity or reactivity or toxicity. Generally, materials like these are known to cause health or environmental risks. |
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Some of the major causes of toxic waste are as follows:
Pesticides are the chemicals that help check the rise of insects that cause harm to the crops and human beings. There are many pesticides that control the pests effectively. But, pesticides like DDT are posing great threat to the environment. Hence, an immediate prohibition of it is needed. Countries like the US and the UK have banned use of DDT. However, many developing countries still use it. Some pesticides which have legal sanction also are dangerous to health and soil if they are used in excess.
Mining waste also comes under industrial waste. It is a historical fact that mining process uses and produces toxic waste. The by-products are lead, sulfuric acid, and arsenic. Mercury particularly is a very dangerous by product in some mining operations. It can cause neurological as well as birth defects.
Industrial wastes are the major toxins that need immediate concern. Metals like cadmium, chromium, silver, and copper are main metals that are produced as waste products in industries. Likewise, the chemicals which are considered to be toxins are solvents such as chlorinated fluorocarbons and acetones. Cyanide is also produced as waste in some industries. Petroleum based products were very much used in vehicles in the past, and these were also toxins.
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What Causes Toxic Waste
