What items are included in the definition of hazardous wastes?

Hazardous wastes are defined as materials that pose a risk to human health or the environment due to their chemical nature, physical composition, or biological activity. This includes a broad range of materials encompassing chemicals such as solvents, paints, and heavy metal-containing substances, which can be toxic or corrosive.

Biomedical waste, including items like contaminated sharps, biological cultures, and any materials that may be infectious, also qualifies as hazardous due to the potential for disease transmission and the necessity for specific handling and disposal methods.

Radioactive waste, generated from medical, industrial, or research applications involving radioactive materials, is categorized as hazardous because it can emit ionizing radiation, posing significant health risks and requiring specialized management and disposal protocols.

Given that hazardous waste encompasses chemicals, biomedical waste, and radioactive waste, the comprehensive nature of the definition validates the inclusion of all these items within the classification of hazardous wastes.