How Does Hazardous Waste Affect the Environment and How Can It Be Reduced?
Written by Ankit Bhavsar
Hazardous waste includes any type of waste that may cause serious harm to human health and the environment if it is not properly managed. Hazardous waste is often generated after using certain items like batteries, electronic devices, and chemicals. The sources of hazardous waste include homes, industries and hospitals. In this article, we consider how hazardous waste affects human health and the environment so we can learn what to do to reduce its impact.
Effects of Hazardous Waste on the Environment
Hazardous waste can have different adverse effects on the environment, which can harm human health. Since man interacts with the environment for survival, when the environment is contaminated by hazardous waste, it often impacts human health. The effects of hazardous waste on the environment include:
1. Contamination of Soil and Water
Hazardous waste can pollute the soil and contaminate groundwater and surface water sources. This can cause water poisoning, which threatens the well-being of humans and aquatic animals. In some cases, water pollution resulting from hazardous waste contamination can cause the eutrophication of marine ecosystems. During this process, large amounts of algae cover the water body and deplete the oxygen level in the water. Many aquatic organisms eventually die due to the critically low quantity of dissolved oxygen in the water body.
2. Air Pollution
Hazardous waste can release toxic substances into the air. Carbon monoxide, lead, sulphur oxides, ground-level ozone, particle pollution (also known as particulate matter), and nitrogen oxides are some harmful compounds that can pollute the air. When inhaled, these substances may cause health issues, including respiratory challenges for humans and animals.
3. Land Pollution
The improper disposal of hazardous waste can make land unfit for agriculture or other productive purposes. Land polluted by hazardous waste may breed vermin and other disease vectors like house flies which can create a nuisance in the environment and cause numerous health challenges for man and animals.
4. Climate Change
Some hazardous waste materials emit greenhouse gasses, including carbon monoxide, which can exacerbate global warming and ultimately lead to climate change. Climate change impacts ecological stability, food security, and the occurrence of natural disasters like flooding and cyclones.
Reducing the Impact of Hazardous Waste
Despite the potential dangers hazardous wastes pose to the environment, individuals and government institutions can work to mitigate the impact of dangerous wastes in different ways. These methods include:
1. Reducing Hazardous Waste from the Source
One of the most effective ways to reduce the impact of hazardous waste is to produce less of it from the source. For example, companies that use hazardous wastes in their products may find suitable alternatives to replace them. Where replacement is not feasible, using recyclable materials is the next best option. By reusing such wastes, the eventual waste output is diminished progressively with use. Industries need to spend on research to find environmentally-friendly alternatives for parts of their products that may constitute hazardous waste.
2. Proper Disposal
The government at the local level should make policies that engage industries and consumers in the effective disposal of hazardous waste. The goal is to keep these wastes away from direct contact with the environment. As such, provisions should be made for adequate quantities of hazardous waste bags, disposal facilities, and recycling hubs. The public should be encouraged to use the facilities provided to harness and dispose of these wastes safely.
3. Education and Awareness
There could be members of the community that do not understand the extent of damage hazardous wastes could cause. These people may act ignorantly when handling toxic wastes and endanger the environment and lives of people around them. Nongovernmental organizations, schools, and the media can sensitize people in communities on the impacts of hazardous wastes and how to handle them safely to mitigate potential health and environmental risks.
4. Government Regulations
Government can play a leading role in proper clinical waste collection and disposal, especially that of hazardous types, through its various policies. This may include enforcing environmental protection laws that relate to the disposal of hazardous wastes. Government can finance research in academic institutions to develop more use cases for toxic wastes so they can discover their added value and contribute positively to the environment. Also, the government can create policies that encourage businesses that are oriented toward waste management to thrive. This will drive innovation and efficiency that is required to deal with the accumulation of hazardous wastes.
In addition, industries should be checked periodically to ensure compliance with current waste management and disposal methods. When there are innovations in industrial waste management, the government should encourage industries to imbibe them and update their waste management procedures.
Conclusion
The reduction of hazardous waste is the collective responsibility of every citizen. All hands must be on deck to make our environment safer as we properly dispose of hazardous wastes and encourage sustainable materials. These efforts will help safeguard our planet for our children and future generations.
About the author: Ankit Bhavsar
Ankit Bhavsar serves as the Marketing Head of Trikon Clinical Waste in Cardiff. He utilises his extensive experience as a customer experience specialist to deliver the best of services in the sector of clinical waste management. He applies his field knowledge in penning engaging and educational blog posts, informing the readers all about the efficient management of medical waste.