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You can view our news page atwww.bfhealth.org
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Kennewick: 8am to 5pm Monday-Friday Pasco: 8am to noon 1pm to 5pm Monday-Friday Prosser: 9am to 1pm Monday, Wednesday, Friday |
Household Hazardous WasteWhat is household hazardous waste?Many household products contain the same chemicals that are strictly regulated within industrial waste steams and pose environmental hazards. The products are safe when used correctly in accordance with labels but when used incorrectly or disposed of improperly these products are hazardous to humans and the environment.
Products that are considered hazardous have one or more of the following properties:
Why should I care?Improperly disposing of chemicals by dumping them on the ground allows them to contaminate our ground water, mix with rain to become runoff and contaminate our streams, rivers and lakes, killing or sickening fish and other aquatic life, causing algae blooms which deplete the oxygen in the water (killing fish), render the soil contaminated and unable to support growth of plants. Many cities use ground water and surface water as their drinking water source. Many rural homeowners use private wells taping into ground water supply for their water source. Many contaminants are picked up by fish and accumulate in their tissues, causing harm to those eating the fish. What ever harm is done to our environment, eventually makes it's way back to harm us.
What do my household products contain?Household cleaning products are regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission under the 1960 Federal Hazardous Substances Labeling Act. Products that are harmful to human health must carry various warnings to consumers.Another option is to ask for a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) on all chemicals you buy. Stores are required to have MSDS for all products sold at the store. These should be available by asking at the service counter or you can look the information up of the internet. MSDS are fact sheets developed by the manufactures about their specific product. They include brand specific information about physical data (solid, liquid, color, melting point, flash point, etc.), health effects, first aid, reactivity, storage, handling, disposal, personal protection and spill/leak procedures. MSDS are required by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) targeted to workers who may be exposed to such chemicals, but much of this information is relevant to consumers. Click here for more information about particular products you have in your home. 
What does the product label tell you?Products are required to have a "signal word" to describe the hazards of the product. Beware that if the product contains more than one hazard only the most hazardous "signal word" is required.Danger! Caution! Warning! Poison!Choose the least toxic product to get the job done. Look for environmentally friendly alternatives. For a helpful guide of more eco-friendly cleaning and other eco-friendly ideas click here. What does the "signal word" mean?
Where can I dispose of household hazardous waste?
What if I am a business that generates hazardous waste?Businesses that generate hazardous waste are regulated under RCRA (Resource, Conservation and Recovery Act) and WAC 173-303 (Dangerous Waste Regulations). Your waste generator status is determined by the volume of hazardous waste generated at your facility and the amount of hazardous waste stored at your facility. Click here for more information. |
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If you are either a medical practitioner, first responder, or public works official and need to report an emergency that immediately endangers public health, please call 509-543-3851. Only medical practitioners, first responders, and public works officials may use this number. | |||||
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Benton Franklin Health District