including carcinogenicity. Substances or wastes which if released present or may present immediate or Secondary H12: Ecotoxic delayed adverse impacts to the environment hazard by means of bioaccumulation and/or toxic effects upon biotic systems. N/A N/A Other hazard(s) Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) Main likely chemical contaminants and heavy metals. Tarry residues are produced in the refining of petroleum, re-refining Where does it Main sources of lubricating oils, production of metallurgical coke or town gas by come from? pyrolysis of coal. Much of the material is disposed of by combustion, with subsequent disposal of ash to landfill after appropriate treatment. Some has How is it Main fates been used as road-making material. Past use for production of managed? carbon black pigment. Spills and leaks at gasworks have resulted in contaminated sites. Volume score <1% 1 5% 5 10% 10 20% 20% – – – ≥ (% of national 0.38% tonnes in 2013) How much is generated in TOTAL: 27,599 ACT: 0 NSW: 8,612 Australia? Waste arising in 19 178 18,628 NT: Qld: SA: 2013 (tonnes) Tas: 19 Vic: 132 WA: 12 Public exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons generated by combustion processes including automobile exhausts, tobacco smoking and uncontrolled combustion is widespread. Consequently most exposure to PAHs is from fine particulate matter that is more readily inhaled or ingested. That is not the case with tarry matter, which poses risks from direct contact with the material or with soil contaminated with it. In the workplace, naphthalene is taken as the Overview Potential health indicator component with an eight hour time weighted exposure limit impacts of 10 ppm with short term exposure not to exceed 15 ppm. The Australian Drinking Water Quality Guideline is 10x10-9 g/L for the potent carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene. Heavy metals such as zinc, copper, cobalt and others are often present in tarry matter, especially coal tar. The hazards associated with these components of tarry matter are described in other profiles. Acute toxicity Low: Phenols present in the mixture can cause skin irritation.
including carcinogenicity. Secondary hazard H12: Ecotoxic Substances or wastes which if released present or may present immediate or delayed adverse impacts to the environment by means of bioaccumulation and/or toxic effects upon biotic systems. Other hazard(s) N/A N/A Main likely chemical contaminants Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and heavy metals. Where does it come from? Main sources Tarry residues are produced in the refining of petroleum, re-refining of lubricating oils, production of metallurgical coke or town gas by pyrolysis of coal. How is it managed? Main fates Much of the material is disposed of by combustion, with subsequent disposal of ash to landfill after appropriate treatment. Some has been used as road-making material. Past use for production of carbon black pigment. Spills and leaks at gasworks have resulted in contaminated sites. How much is generated in Australia? Volume score (% of national tonnes in 2013) <1% 1 – 5% 5 – 10% 10 – 20% ≥ 20% 0.38% Waste arising in 2013 (tonnes) TOTAL: 27,599 ACT: 0 NSW: 8,612 NT: 19 Qld: 178 SA: 18,628 Tas: 19 Vic: 132 WA: 12 Potential health impacts Overview Public exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons generated by combustion processes including automobile exhausts, tobacco smoking and uncontrolled combustion is widespread. Consequently most exposure to PAHs is from fine particulate matter that is more readily inhaled or ingested. That is not the case with tarry matter, which poses risks from direct contact with the material or with soil contaminated with it. In the workplace, naphthalene is taken as the indicator component with an eight hour time weighted exposure limit of 10 ppm with short term exposure not to exceed 15 ppm. The Australian Drinking Water Quality Guideline is 10x10-9 g/L for the potent carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene. Heavy metals such as zinc, copper, cobalt and others are often present in tarry matter, especially coal tar. The hazards associated with these components of tarry matter are described in other profiles. Acute toxicity Low: Phenols present in the mixture can cause skin irritation.
hazardous-waste-impacts.docx