HAZARDOUS WASTES IN YOUR HOME….

Do you really know what you are dealing with? Many common household products contain chemicals that are poisonous, corrosive, flammable, and/or chemically reactive. Typical hazardous products include: disinfectants, ammonia, bleach, drain openers, pesticides, paint and related products, pool chemicals, automotive fluids, oven, tub, tile and toilet bowl cleaners, batteries, fluorescent bulbs.

The average household contains between 3 – 10 gallons of materials whose use or improper disposal poses a threat to human health or to the natural environment. Many such products you probably are storing right now in your garage, basement, bathroom or kitchen and you might not ordinarily think of them as hazardous.

Labels of hazardous products are required by federal law to list signal words that you should become familiar with to help you learn to safely handle hazardous products.

Flammable/combustible: can be easily set on fire.

Explosive/reactive: detonate or explode through exposure to heat, sudden shock, pressure or incompatible substances.

Corrosive: chemical action can burn and destroy living tissues or other material when brought into contact.

Danger/poison: indicates product is highly toxic. Drinking a few drops to 1 tsp. Of the product will kill the average person.

Warning: drinking 1 tsp. to 1 ounce of the product will kill the average person.

Caution: drinking over 1 ounce of the product will kill the average person.

These signal words are put on the labels of hazardous products enabling you, as conscientious consumers, to make educated choices about your risks when using the products.

When hazardous household products are no longer usable or wanted, they become household hazardous wastes. Household hazardous wastes make up only a small percentage of household waste stream, but they are a serious problem. When disposed of improperly, they pose a threat to sanitation workers and the environment. Household hazardous wastes discarded in the trash may ignite or explode in the collection truck. Trash haulers have been injured from fumes and splashing chemicals. Disposal of household hazardous wastes down the drain can also pollute drinking water. In septic systems, hazardous waste can kill the organisms that make the system work. This may cause untreated wastes to drain into the soil and eventually seep into the ground water. Sewage treatment plants have been damaged by household hazardous wastes, resulting in the release of raw sewage and chemicals into streams and rivers. Storm drains, which are often used improperly for dumping, are a direct route to nearby waterways. Anything that is poured on the ground may spread or runoff the next time it rains.

What can you do to make your home and environment safe?

1) look for safer alternatives – visit the Recycling Center’s website for more information on how to find safer alternatives 2) buy the least hazardous product that will get the job done – let the signal words be your guide 3) read the label carefully. Make sure it is the product you want to buy and that you are willing to follow the safety precautions 4) pay careful attention to proper use instructions and dangers 5) do not mix products unless instructed by label directions 6) keep products out of the reach of children and pets. Remember that children and pets can not read the danger signs. Store all hazardous products away from food items and make sure they are clearly labeled 7) leave products in their original containers. Never put hazardous products in food or beverage containers! 8) bring your household hazardous wastes to the 4^th Annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day for Rome and Floyd County residents. This event is designed to offer our citizens a safe, environmentally sound method of dealing with these materials. The event is a one day collection that is free to all residents of Rome and Floyd County. This Collection day is Saturday, April 26, 2003 from 8 am until 1 pm. For more detailed information on household hazardous wastes and the Collection Day, see tomorrow’s Recycling Center Newsletter insert or visit our website at www.romefloydrecycles.org or call us at 291-5266. This is your once-a-year opportunity to safely dispose of those old products – so don’t miss out.