Book Description

Current evidence suggests that development and industrialization has engendered the manufacture and use of chemical products which may harm human health and degrade the environment. One of the most pressing environmental needs since World War II is perhaps the issue of how society either manages or mismanages hazardous wastes. The purpose of this study was to assess current management and disposal practices among Small Quantity Generators (SQG) and Conditionally Exempt Generators (CEG) in Benton County, Oregon. Study objectives included identification of the number of registered and nonregistered SQGs and CEGs, identification of the types of businesses, estimation of the quantities of hazardous wastes produced and used, and assessment of current levels of awareness among generators of hazardous wastes of pertinent regulations and safe environmental practices. A survey instrument was used to collect data during in-person interviews with representatives from a total of 48 businesses in Benton County. Findings indicated that the majority of both the registered (70%) and nonregistered (72.2%) businesses performed cleaning and degreasing activities at their business locations. Other activities, in order of importance, included fabrication, retail sales, manufacturing, and painting. With respect to the types of wastes produced or used, the majority of the respondents indicated the production or use of waste oils and aqueous liquids. Similarly, the majority of registered businesses (96.7%) indicated that they provided employee training in hazardous waste management. Asked to identify their method of disposal, both SQG and CEG respondents listed return to supplier, recycle on-site, treatment, storage and disposal facilities, garbage/landfills, evaporation, and sales of wastes, in order of importance, as their preferred method of disposal. Most of the respondents indicated that their principal recycled wastes were solvents and oils, followed by refrigerated gases and other products. The study also considered the influence of state and federal laws and regulations as applied to hazardous wastes, and whether or not these administrative rules created a problem for Benton County businesses. In contrast to prior studies which have indicated that among most businesses federal and state laws and regulations were regarded as too complex and inflexible, or who complained that lack of access to information or lack of time to remain informed served as significant constraints upon their ability to comply, the majority of Benton County businesses indicated "no problem" with the administrative rules. The conclusion of the study was that an overall comparison of Benton County SQGs and CEGs does not provide clear and convincing evidence that nonregistered businesses, by virtue of the regulatory exemption, practice illegal hazardous waste disposal and management procedures to a greater degree than the more fully regulated registered business.