According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a hazardous material is one that falls under one or more of the following categories:
- Flammable
- Reactive or explosive when mixed with another substance
- Corrosive
- Toxic
According to the EPA's definition, every American household contains many hazardous materials. Actually, an American household, on average, contains 3 to 10 gallons of substances that are considered to be hazardous. If not stored and disposed of correctly, these chemicals can poison our bodies, drinking water, and air. Disposing hazardous waste improperly can cause a myriad of problems. Explosions have occurred in sewers and garbage trucks because of improperly disposed of wastes. Also, corrosive wastes can slowly eat away at materials until they break and cause unknown harm. Poisonous wastes can cause cancer, birth defects, and harm the environment.
Do not dispose of household hazardous waste down the drain or by placing in your curbside garbage. Click below for Hillsborough County Drop-Off options.