Most metals release some amount of lead when processed. But many types of hazardous materials also contain lead. However, not all of these types of materials can be safely managed with other similar materials. If you’re wondering what you should do with your lead-containing waste, keep reading for answers.
What is lead waste
The term lead waste is a general term for any hazardous material that contains lead. This includes lead from paints, batteries or old equipment. Note that lead is also present in nature, but at much lower levels than in man-made objects.
However, it is a chemical component which represents a risk for our health, particularly in the event of ingestion or inhalation. It can attack the nervous system and cause encephalopathy or neuropathy. Lead can also cause anemia in the victim. Therefore, it is important to take precautions when removing your lead waste or when recycling.
How to Tell if Your Hazardous Material Contains Lead
The first step in managing lead-containing waste is knowing whether or not your waste contains lead. To do this, you can check the label or packaging of the hazardous material. If the material contains lead, you will see the word “lead” on the label. If the packaging does not include the word “lead,” the hazardous material itself is most likely the source of the lead.
This usually includes items such as batteries, old medical equipment and electronic devices. Lead can also occur naturally in certain types of materials. If you are unsure whether the hazardous material contains lead, you should be very careful. It is best to handle and transport these hazardous materials with special care.
How to Handle and Dispose of Lead-Containing Waste
As previously stated, it is important to know if the hazardous material you are working with contains lead. If so, you must handle and dispose of the waste safely. This includes transporting it to a hazardous waste treatment facility and disposing of it in a registered container. If you know the hazardous material contains lead, you will need to treat it differently and with caution.
To do this, the use of big bags is necessary. This makes it possible to store a large quantity of waste and facilitate sorting. Then, all you have to do is place the bags in the location corresponding to each type of waste. For more precautions, you can call on a company qualified in the management of waste containing lead.
When should you send your lead-containing waste to a facility
Hazardous waste that contains lead should be sent to a hazardous waste treatment center as quickly as possible. For good reason, the life expectancy of lead is very short. When it enters the environment, it quickly migrates from soil to plants and water.
It then moves up the food chain and can be ingested by animals and humans. The more lead a person or animal ingests, the higher the risk of developing serious health problems. This means that any lead-containing waste in your possession should be sent to a hazardous waste treatment facility as soon as possible.