Hazardous, chemical and toxic waste is any waste that can harm human health or the environment. It can come from many sources, such as industries, households, farms, hospitals, mines, and military sites. It can also be in many forms, such as liquids, solids, gases, or sludges.

Hazardous waste can affect us and the environment  by contaminating the soil, water, and air that we need for food, drinking, and breathing; by exposing us to chemicals, metals, radiation, or infections that can cause diseases, cancers, or genetic disorders. Hazardous waste can enter our body through ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact, and damage our organs, tissues, or cells.

But we can prevent and reduce hazardous waste by our every day actions and activities such as choosing products that are safe, durable, reusable and recyclable, and avoiding unnecessary or impulsive purchases and using products wisely and efficiently, and following the instructions for storage, use and disposal, among many others.

By understanding and addressing hazardous wastes’ impact on our health and our environment  we can contribute to the sustainability and well-being of ourselves and the planet. 

Join Host Bernice Butler and experts Elif Kongar and Dele Ogunseitan as they explore and unpack Chemical, Hazardous and Toxic Waste.