Generators now have more testing options for ignitable hazardous waste
EPA updated regulations for identifying ignitable hazardous waste under the hazardous waste rules in the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The rule does not alter the criteria for what makes a waste an ignitable hazardous waste; instead, it provides more testing options to hazardous waste generators.
Facilities are required to “identify” their waste streams to determine if they are hazardous wastes. In addition to specific listings in the regulations, there are four characteristics that make a waste hazardous: ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, and toxicity. EPA prescribes methods for determining the ignitability characteristics of certain wastes, including measuring the flash point of a liquid waste. The characteristic of ignitability means a waste has the potential to cause harm to human health or the environment through direct or indirect fire hazard, which could involve causing landfill fires. Wastes that are regulated as ignitable hazardous waste include:
- Certain liquids with flash points less than 60°C (140°F);
- Non-liquid substances that are capable, under standard temperature and pressure, of causing fire through friction, absorption of moisture, or spontaneous chemical changes, and, when ignited, burn so vigorously and persistently that they create a hazard;
- Ignitable compressed gases; and
- Oxidizers.
The new final rule also modernizes test methods for air sampling and stack emissions that currently require the use of mercury thermometers, allowing the use of alternative temperature-measuring devices. EPA says the revisions provide greater clarity in identifying hazardous waste, more flexible testing requirements, improve environmental compliance, and enhance the protection of human health and the environment.
In addition to revising the test methods for ignitable wastes, EPA is codifying existing guidance on the ignitability characteristic with aqueous liquids containing alcohols and existing sampling guidance for waste mixtures that have multiple phases.
The rule becomes effective on September 8, 2020.