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APPENDIX B: TYPES OF HAZARDOUS WASTE Hazardous waste is divided into different types (e.g., universal waste) or categories, including RCRA hazardous waste and non-RCRA hazardous waste. Properly categorizing a hazardous waste is necessary for land disposal restrictions, treatment standards and fees, amongst other things. Four Characteristics of Hazardous Waste Ignitability A waste is ignitable if it can readily catch fire and sustain combustion. A liquid is ignitable if it has a flash point (the temperature at which combustion occurs) of less than 140° Fahrenheit (F). Examples of ignitable wastes include oil-based paint wastes, non -halogenated degreasers, thinners and solvents (petroleum distillates), stripping agents, epoxy resins, adhesives, rubber cements and glues, and some waste inks. An ignitable waste is given the EPA Hazardous Waste Number D001. Corrosivity A waste is corrosive if it is a liquid and dissolves metals and other materials, or burns the skin or eyes on contact. Liquids with a pH of 2 or less, or 12.5 or more, are corrosive. Examples of corrosive wastes include alkaline degreasers, corrosive cleaning solutions, rust removers, waste acids, and bleach compounds (peroxide and chlorine compounds). A corrosive waste is assigned the EPA Hazardous Waste Number D002. Reactivity A waste is reactive if it is normally unstable and undergoes rapid or violent chemical reactions, such as catching fire, exploding, or giving off fumes when exposed to water or air. Examples of reactive wastes are bleaches and hypochlorites from water treatment processes or swimming pool sanitizing operations and discarded munitions or explosives. A reactive waste has the EPA Hazardous Waste Number D003. Toxicity A waste exhibits the toxicity characteristic if it has concentrations of poisonous heavy metals or certain organic compounds above specified levels (Appendix 7-2) that may cause illness or death if inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through the skin. Long-term effects of a toxic waste on human health may include cancer, birth defects, reproductive anomalies, brain and kidney damage, and diseases of the skin, lungs, and heart. Universal Waste Certain commonly generated hazardous wastes are classified as universal waste when recycled and can be managed under the more lenient universal waste regulations (40 CFR 273). Universal wastes consist of: • Hazardous waste batteries (such as nickel -cadmium, alkaline, silver -oxide, lithium, nickel -metal hydroxide, etc. Lead -acid batteries can also be recycled under the universal waste rules) • Mercury -containing equipment (such as thermostats, barometers, manometers, temperature and pressure gauges, and mercury switches) • Mercury -containing lamps (such as fluorescent, neon, mercury vapor, high pressure sodium, high intensity discharge, and metal halide) • Aerosols (such as hand sanitizer and air fresheners)