Causes and Problems of Construction and Demolition Waste Like other waste, construction and demolition waste may pose serious health implications. Elizabeth Thomas-Hope points out the potential characteristics of some hazardous waste: “The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) lists four characteristics of hazardous wastes: Ignitability, which identifies wastes that pose fire hazard during routine management. It must be noted that fires not only present immediate physical dangers of heat and smoke, but can also spread harmful particles and gases over wide areas, with implications for respiratory conditions. These conditions may arise when containers with solvent residues are improperly disposed of. Corrosivity, which identifies wastes requiring special containers because of their ability to corrode standards materials, or requiring segregation from other wastes because of their ability to dissolve toxic contaminants. Such waste may cause irritation of the eyes, mucous membranes and skin on contact. Reactivity (or explosiveness), which identifies wastes that, during routine management, tend to react spontaneously, to react vigorously with air or water, to be unstable under shock or heat, to generate toxic gases, or to explode. Toxicity, which identifies wastes that, when improperly managed, may release toxicants in sufficient quantities to pose a substantial hazard to human health or the environment. Toxic chemicals can enter the body by being swallowed, as in handling food after being
Page | 34