Waste solvents are often subject to reclamation, with any residues How is it Main fates sent to energy recovery processes such as incineration or managed? hazardous waste landfill. Volume score <1% 1 5% 5 10% 10 20% 20% – – – ≥ (% of national tonnes in 2013) 0.19% How much is generated in TOTAL: 13,730 ACT: 0 NSW: 761 Australia? Waste arising in NT: 0 Qld: 11,195 SA: 26 2013 (tonnes) Tas: 44 Vic: 1,705 WA: 0 Some organic solvents (such as benzene) have been replaced with other substances due to their carcinogenic properties, which is a primary health concern for these types of wastes Other toxic properties can be varied, and include being narcotic and possibly Overview mutagenic or teratogenic. The flammability risk also heightens the care in which this waste should be handled. Harmful if swallowed may cause lung damage. Low - medium: – Vapours may cause drowsiness and dizziness. Acute effects may also range from an alcohol-like intoxication to narcosis (stupor or Acute toxicity insensibility) which may lead to unconsciousness. Potential health May be irritating to skin. impacts Low - medium: Both short and long term exposure to certain organic solvents has been found to be harmful to the kidney. Chronic toxicity Petroleum distillates, for example, gasoline, jet fuel and turpentine, are among the most toxic. High: Some organic solvents may cause cancer and heritable genetic damage. Benzene is the main organic solvent which has Carcinogenicity definitively been proven to cause cancer in humans from industrial use the main cancer being leukaemia. – Limited evidence of reproductive impacts possible risk of Reproductive Low: – toxicity impaired fertility. Workplace Inhalation is usually the most significant route of entry by which organic solvents enter the health & safety human body at work. Poor hygiene practices could result in skin absorption. impacts Most non-industrial applications of benzene, a natural constituent of crude oil and one of Population the most elementary petrochemicals, have been limited by carcinogenicity. benzene’s scale impacts However, significant primary exposure occurs routinely in everyday activities, particularly relating to petrol (gasoline) or other fossil fuel use. These include petrol vapour exposure
How is it managed? Main fates Waste solvents are often subject to reclamation, with any residues sent to energy recovery processes such as incineration or hazardous waste landfill. How much is generated in Australia? Volume score (% of national tonnes in 2013) <1% 1 – 5% 5 – 10% 10 – 20% ≥ 20% 0.19% Waste arising in 2013 (tonnes) TOTAL: 13,730 ACT: 0 NSW: 761 NT: 0 Qld: 11,195 SA: 26 Tas: 44 Vic: 1,705 WA: 0 Potential health impacts Overview Some organic solvents (such as benzene) have been replaced with other substances due to their carcinogenic properties, which is a primary health concern for these types of wastes Other toxic properties can be varied, and include being narcotic and possibly mutagenic or teratogenic. The flammability risk also heightens the care in which this waste should be handled. Acute toxicity Low - medium: Harmful if swallowed – may cause lung damage. Vapours may cause drowsiness and dizziness. Acute effects may also range from an alcohol-like intoxication to narcosis (stupor or insensibility) which may lead to unconsciousness. May be irritating to skin. Chronic toxicity Low - medium: Both short and long term exposure to certain organic solvents has been found to be harmful to the kidney. Petroleum distillates, for example, gasoline, jet fuel and turpentine, are among the most toxic. Carcinogenicity High: Some organic solvents may cause cancer and heritable genetic damage. Benzene is the main organic solvent which has definitively been proven to cause cancer in humans from industrial use – the main cancer being leukaemia. Reproductive toxicity Low: Limited evidence of reproductive impacts – possible risk of impaired fertility. Workplace health & safety impacts Inhalation is usually the most significant route of entry by which organic solvents enter the human body at work. Poor hygiene practices could result in skin absorption. Population scale impacts Most non-industrial applications of benzene, a natural constituent of crude oil and one of the most elementary petrochemicals, have been limited by benzene’s carcinogenicity. However, significant primary exposure occurs routinely in everyday activities, particularly relating to petrol (gasoline) or other fossil fuel use. These include petrol vapour exposure
hazardous-waste-impacts.docx