According to RCRA regulations its jurisdiction covers waste if it is ignitable, corrosive, reactive chemically, exhibits “TC” toxicity, unstable, fatal to humans in low doses, or has an LD-50 or LC-50 component, contains toxic constituents or is generically listed by the EPA in the industrial classification (Percival et al., 2013). In order to determine whether the following examples are hazardous or not we have to first determine what does RCRA means by hazardous. In short, it is a solid waste, which can cause a serious irreversible illness among humans, or pose a significant hazard to human health.
The first issue are the barrels with pest control chemical bought and stored officially. Though the poison used by pest control is hazardous and does pose a significant threat to the health of humans upon direct contact, commercially purchased barrels of this poison cannot be considered as solid waste, due to its specific nature. It is not even waste, but chemicals ready to be put to direct use. It is not “garbage, refuse, sludge from a waste treatment plant, water supply treatment plant or air pollution control facility; and or other discarded materials,” (Percival et al., 2013). Therefore, this point does not fall under RCRA jurisdiction.
Now, the barrels of wasted oil left from the oil change in the combustion engines of airplanes contain material contributes to the worsening of the environment and dying out of whole ecosystems if dumped somewhere. It is a direct hazard to human health and wellbeing. Waste oil is considered as solid waste, is hazardous and falls under RCRA jurisdiction.
Here, we must pay attention to an unauthorized storage of nuclear fuel. The latter, if spillt or by chance it gets into the environment is hazardous. Even a small doze can lead to irreversible changes in human health (Percival et al., 2013). Nonetheless, nuclear fuel is not waste, more so it does not fall under classification of solid waste from RCRA, therefore it does not fall under its jurisdiction.
Considering the fact that the airport cesspool is a UST containing “domestic” waste. This is an exception to the rule as it is not considered as solid waste and is therefore does not fall under the jurisdiction of the RCRA. This sole case is covered by the rules and regulations of the EPA.
The solvents used for degreasing aircraft parts and cleaning vats are chemically reactive and evaporate upon use. These are highly hazardous examples of solid waste according to the classification complied by the RCRA themselves. More so, considering the fact that there are RCRA-listed chemicals contained in the substances that are hazardous and toxic, they definitely fall under the jurisdiction of the RCRA, their rules and regulations (Percival et al., 2013).
The aforementioned examples do not all fall under the jurisdiction of the RCRA. Nonetheless, all of them, if used not in a proper way can cause significant harm to the environment, the ecosystems and the health of humans themselves. Thus, it is important that all such cases are monitored and proper action is taken in case of a violation or breach of rules.
Reference
Percival, R., Schroeder, C., Miller, A. & Leape, J. (2013). Environmental regulation: law, science, and policy. New York: Wolters Kluwer Law & Business.
