Hazardous Waste is a "solid waste" which because of its quantity, concentration, or physical, chemical, or infectious characteristics may:

Pose a substantial present or potential hazard to human health or the environment when impropoerly treated, stored or disposed of, or otherwise mismanaged; or

Cause or contribute to an increase in mortality, or an increase in irreversible or incapacitating illness.

A "solid waste" is defined as any discarded material that is abandoned by being disposed of, burned or incinerated, recycled or considered "waste-like." A solid waste can physically be a solid, liquid, semi-solid, or container of gaseous material.

A waste is classified as a hazardous waste if it has a hazardous characteristic listed below or is listed as a hazardous waste in EPA's page with the list of identifies hazardous wastes. We could only find the list for Ohio.

http://www.epa.ohio.gov/dnwm/welcome.html

Hazardous Characteristics:

Ignitable Hazardous Waste

A liquid waste which has a flash point of less than or equal to 140 degrees F (60 degrees C) as determined by an approved test method.

A non-liquid waste which, under standard conditions, is capable of causing a fire through friction, absorption of moisture or a spontaneous chemical change and when ignited, the waste burns so vigorously and persistently that it creates a hazard.

An ignitable compressed gas or oxidizer.

Corrosive Hazardous Waste

An aqueous waste with a pH ofless than or equal to 2 or greater than or equal to 12.5 is considered to be a corrosive hazardous waste.

A liquid waste that corrodes steel at a minimum rate of .25 inch per year as determined by an approved test method.

Reactive Hazardous Waste

A solid waste that is normally unstable, reacts violently with water, or generates toxic gases when exposed to water or other materials.

Toxic Hazardous Waste

A waste that contains certain substances determined to be harmful at or in excess of the maximum concentration. Some of those substances include lead, arsenic, and mercury. For a complete list, see the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR), Title 20, Section 4103.

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