According to EPA, which is not a characteristic of hazardous waste?

Prepare for the NEHA Hazardous Waste Exam with engaging flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Each question offers hints and explanations to boost your understanding. Get exam-ready today!

The correct answer is that friability is not considered a characteristic of hazardous waste according to the EPA guidelines. The EPA identifies four primary characteristics of hazardous waste, which include toxicity, reactivity, and corrosivity.

Toxicity refers to the potential of a substance to cause harm to organisms, highlighting how certain materials can lead to serious health issues or environmental contamination when they are ingested, inhaled, or otherwise exposure occurs. Reactivity indicates how a substance may chemically react with other materials, potentially causing explosions, toxic gas release, or other hazardous outcomes in certain conditions. Corrosivity refers to the ability of a waste to corrode materials, which can lead to damage of containers and infrastructure and pose risks to health and safety when handled improperly.

While friability can be an important property in assessing materials, especially in relation to asbestos and other particulate-forming substances, it does not fit within the EPA’s defined characteristics of hazardous waste. Thus, the concept of friability alone does not determine whether a waste is classified as hazardous, unlike the other three characteristics.

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