Hazardous Waste
The term hazardous waste refers to any waste that requires special handling because it presents a serious threat to human health and the environment. The EPA classifies about 450 specific types of refuse as hazardous; wastes are also deemed hazardous if they are ignitable, corrosive, reactive, or toxic. Hazardous wastes are subject to federal and state management requirements.
The human health risks associated with the generation, transport, and storage of hazardous wastes are vast. Serious health effects can result from exposure through direct contact, inhalation of harmful substances in air, use of affected ground water or surface water for consumption or irrigation, or ingestion of plants or animals grown on tainted soil. Accidents involving haz-ardous wastes are a risk as well.
Generation
In 1999, Texas industries and businesses pro-duced about 15 million
tons of hazardous waste, excluding hazardous wastewaters--more than one-third
of all such waste in the United States. The multitude
of chemical manufacturers, petroleum refineries, and other industries
in the region produces a large portion of this toxic refuse. Harris, Brazoria,
and Galveston counties are the top three hazardous waste producers in
Texas, together creating almost two thirds of the state's total.
Disposal
More than 99 percent of Texas hazardous waste is managed on site or treated and discharged into a wastewater treatment facility. In 1994, there were twenty approved or active hazardous waste incinerators and eight deep injection wells in the Houston area. Most hazardous wastes generated in the region are disposed of by deep well injection.
Contaminated Sites
The region has a relatively high concentration of sites contaminated by hazardous materials. The county is among the top ten counties in the United States with the most Superfund sites.
There are currently seventeen federal or state Superfund sites in Harris County that are on the EPA's National Priorities List. Scores of other contaminated sites, such as brownfields, exist as well, but are not officially tracked. The year 2003 saw the beginning of remediation on the MDI Superfund site, located in Houston's Fifth Ward, across the street from Brooks Elementary School. The cleanup project was unique in that community involvement was the driving force. Mothers for Clean Air and an outreach effort of the University of Texas Medical Branch used art to involve neighborhood parents and children. The city applied again this year for federal fund-ing to clean up area brownfields.
Inequity
Like many environmental problems, haz-ardous waste disposal most affects
low-income and minority neighborhoods. Texas is one of five states having
the most commercial waste facilities in communities above the national
average in percentage of people of color. Studies also show a strong negative
correlation between proximity of hazardous waste facilities or contaminated
sites and property values. Often, contaminated sites are cleaned up only
to be turned back over to commercial interests, leading to the gentrification
of neighborhoods.
Environmental Organizations
Although there is no group or organization specifically dedicated
to hazardous waste in the region, this is a concern
that intersects with air, water, and soil issues.
Environmental Defense (www.environmentaldefense.org),
Health Care Without Harm (www.noharm.org),
and Texas Nuclear Waste Defense Coalition in West
Texas are
available to give advice and support to citizens
wishing to tackle local hazardous waste problems.
What You Can Do
Learn about toxics in your community
Find out who is generating and disposing of toxic materials in your
neighborhood through the www.scorecard.org website.
