skills assessment 3

Environmental Hazard Analysis: Chose one (1) hazard (A-E) from the list below. Using primary sources, such as those listed below in the resource list, research, define, describe, and/or explain the hazard’s characteristics. Cite your specific source for each researched item in the reference column in APA formatting.

Characteristics	Define/Describe/Explain	Reference
Type of Hazard?
Related Legislation?
Hazard Level or Classification?
Hazard Relative Risk to Environment and Humans?
Hazard Safety Requirements and/or Correction Action?
Other interesting facts regarding your chosen hazard?

Hazards:

A. Natural hazards – naturally occurring phenomenon or event that produces or releases energy in amounts that exceed human endurance, causing injury, disease, or death (radiation, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, floods)

B. Radiation – a process in which energy is emitted as particles or waves

a. Ionizing radiation – high-energy radiation that can knock an electron out of orbit, creating an ion, and can thereby damage living cells and tissues

b. Radiation from Natural Sources (Ozone Depletion)

i. UV radiation – ultraviolet radiation; radiation energy with wavelengths 0-400 nanometers

c. Radiation from Human made Sources – X-rays, nuclear medicine diagnoses, radiation therapy, consumer products

C. Chemical Waste – There are 31 priority chemicals that the EPA is focus on for recovery and elimination. The listing is under Wastes - Hazardous Waste - Waste Minimization in the resource list below. Choose only one chemical or chemical group.

a. Biological Waste – Blood borne pathogens, food contamination, anthrax, others. Choose only one.

D. eWaste - According to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), Americans own approximately 24 electronic products per household. (CEA 2008) These products contain hazardous chemicals, metals, and additional solid waste. Prior to recycling of electronics, the personal computers went right to the landfills.

Resource List: Environmental Protection Agency:

EPA (2012) Hazardous Waste. Accessed 2012 from: http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/index.htm

· Definition of Solid Waste (DSW) : Before a material can be classified as a hazardous waste, it must first be a solid waste as defined under RCRA. Resources , including an interactive tool , are available to help.

· Types of Hazardous Waste : Hazardous waste are divided into listed wastes, characteristic wastes, universal wastes , and mixed wastes. Specific procedures determine how waste is identified , classified, listed, and delisted.

· Wastes - Hazardous Waste - Waste Minimization: reducing 31 Priority Chemicals (PCs).

· Generators : Hazardous waste generators are divided into categories based on the amount of waste they produce each month. Different regulations apply to each generator category.

· Transporters : Hazardous waste transporters move waste from one site to another by highway, rail, water, or air. Federal and, in some cases, State regulations govern hazardous waste transportation, including the Manifest System .

· Treatment, Storage, and Disposal (TSD) : Requirements for TSD facilities govern the treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous waste, including land disposal , the permitting process and requirements for TSD facilities .

· Waste Minimization : EPA, States, and industries are working to reduce the amount, toxicity, and persistence of wastes that are generated.

· Hazardous Waste Recycling : EPA is addressing safe and protective reuse and reclamation of hazardous materials.

· Corrective Action : RCRA compels those responsible for releasing hazardous pollutants into the soil, water, or air to clean up those releases.

· Test Methods : EPA has a variety of analytical chemistry and characteristic testing methodologies, environmental sampling and monitoring, and quality assurance in place to support RCRA.

· Laws and Education : The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) is the public law that creates the framework for the proper management of hazardous and nonhazardous solid waste.

· International Waste : EPA provides information and guidance on regulations, agreements, initiatives, and other developments in waste policy and law, both in the United States and abroad.