Contaminated waste collection

Contaminated (or hazardous) waste is classified based on its biological, chemical and physical properties. Considered “class I” waste that presents risks to public health and the environment, requiring special treatment and disposal due to its characteristics of toxicity, flammability, corrosivity, reactivity, pathogenicity, among others.

Some categories considered dangerous:

Toxic

This category considers all residues of these substances capable of negatively altering the metabolism of living beings. Pesticides and heavy metals fall into this category.

Flammable

It includes any substance capable of spontaneously or induced fire generation, such as paper, wood chips, and petroleum products. They burn at relatively low temperatures and can pose an immediate fire hazard.

Corrosive

They are acids or bases capable of corroding or damaging some surfaces on which they act (metal, organic matter), such as hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide.

Reactivity

Be capable of producing an explosive or detonating reaction under the action of stimulus, catalytic action or temperature in confined environments.

Radioactive

All waste contains chemical elements that lose energy through the emission of radiation. An example of this is waste from thermonuclear power plants, nuclear medicine equipment, among others.