Health & Environmental Effects

Hazardous waste poses serious negative effects on the health of humans, animals, and the environment. It is imperative that individuals who work around these toxins are aware of the risks to exposure and take the necessary safety precautions when handling situations that involve hazardous waste.

According to the EPA, hazardous waste exposure to humans can cause irritation of the skin or eyes, impair breathing, and cause headache and nausea. Some far more serious health risks include the following:

• Behavioral abnormalities
• Cancer
• Genetic mutations
• Physiological malfunctions, such as reproductive impairment and kidney failure
• Physical deformations
• Birth defects

The impact of hazardous waste on the environment can be just as severe as it is to individuals. Some effects of exposure include the following:

• Death of organisms in lakes and rivers in the contaminated area
• Destruction of animals and plants in the contaminated area
• Reproduction difficulties of plants and animals in the contaminated area
• Death of ecosystems in the contaminated area

To learn more about Hazardous Waste visit our Hazardous Waste Safety Online Training web page.