A Review on Hazardous Wastes and its Management

Hazardous wastes refer to wastes that may, or tend to, cause adverse health effects on the ecosystem and human beings. These wastes pose present or potential risks to human health or living organisms as they are non-degradable or persistent in nature, can be biologically magnified and are highly toxic and even lethal at very low concentrations. Prime sources of hazardous waste include hospitals, timber treatment, petrol storage, metal finishing, paint manufacture, vehicle servicing, tanneries, agriculture/horticulture, electricity distribution and dry cleaning. Such wastes can be treated chemically, physically, thermally and biologically. They require appropriate management throughout their life cycle to minimize adverse effects on public health and safety or to the environment generally after treatment, waste is deposited in the landfills. This research paper deals with the discussion on various hazardous waste, its handling methods and treatment.