Hazardous waste refers to waste materials that pose a heightened risk to human health and the environment and require special handling and disposal. Hazardous waste can originate from various sources, such as manufacturing and industrial sites, agriculture, medical institutions W.1 or discarded household products. It commonly displays one, or several, of the following hazardous properties:

Toxicity: harmful or fatal when ingested or absorbed.

Corrosiveness: strong acids and bases.

Reactivity: unstable substances under standard conditions, may react with water, release toxic fumes or cause explosions. 

Flammability: materials that can catch fire easily, such as solvents and fuels.

Hazardous Waste in Humanitarian Settings

The following are the most frequently encountered hazardous wastes in humanitarian settings:

Pharmaceutical and biomedical waste includes infectious waste (such as contaminated sharps or body fluids), radioactive waste materials from medical procedures (such as imaging or cancer treatment), cytotoxic and genotoxic hazardous drug waste and expired or unused pharmaceuticals W.1.

Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) - or e-waste includes non-functional or obsolete equipment such as computers, mobile phones, electrical transformers, batteries and fluorescent lamps that contain harmful substances like heavy metals or acids W.7. E-waste also includes ’white goods’ which refers to larger, commonly used household items such as fridges or freezers.

Household Hazardous Waste includes various hazardous materials found in households, such as fuel and chemical products (drain cleaning agents, oil-based paint, solvents, motor oil and fuel, poison, pesticides, herbicides and rodenticides), pharmaceuticals, batteries and electrical and electronic equipment (such as batteries, TVs, computers, mobile phones and other appliances like fridges and freezers). 

Debris containing hazardous compounds such as asbestos or hazardous organic compounds like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from damaged or destroyed infrastructure and buildings.

Disaster waste can contain the above-mentioned four hazardous waste types as well as chemicals, fuels or contaminated materials from commercial storage and industrial production sites.

Hazard, Quantity and Exposure

The potential impact of hazardous materials depends on their hazardous properties, the quantity released and the exposure of people and the environment. Levels of exposure relate to pathways (the dissemination of substances through air, soil and water bodies) and receptors (the receiving body, including humans, agricultural areas or natural environments). To reduce or prevent the impact of hazardous materials, one of the elements - hazard, quantity or exposure - must be removed. 

Definition and Legal Framework

The classification of ’hazardous waste’ and the materials included is based on relevant national frameworks X.1 and the Basel Convention, an international treaty which controls the transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal. National and international legislation also define the safe and adequate handling and disposal of hazardous waste. Any divergence between the two legislations is usually related to the management responsibility of certain materials, not the degree of hazardousness. For instance, some national legislations consider radioactive substances hazardous, whereas the Basel Convention does not (they are controlled by the International Atomic Energy Agency). Similarly, conventional unexploded ordnance might be classified as hazardous material in national, but not international, legislation. Some legal frameworks also distinguish between ’hazardous materials’ and ’dangerous goods’. Materials are hazardous if their handling or storage threatens human health and the environment. ’Dangerous goods’ usually refers to substances which pose a threat during transport.

Identification of Hazardous Waste

The identification and management of hazardous waste in humanitarian settings are critical to protect public safety, the occupational safety of humanitarian workers and the environment. The presence or location of hazardous materials may be unknown, especially after disasters or during conflicts. Their identification and management should be done by Hazardous Material (HazMat) specialists. Due to their specialised, complex and potentially dangerous work, HazMat specialists are commonly affiliated with governmental organisations, including the armed forces, civil protection or professional emergency services including fire brigades. They are trained and equipped with field measurement and sampling equipment and corresponding Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Initial assessments can also be done remotely using satellite imagery, historical site information, or by interviewing relevant stakeholders, such as staff from industrial or medical sites. The Flash Environmental Assessment Tool helps to identify hazardous substances, their potential impact and threat, and response priorities.

Suggested Key Actions

• Assessing the type of exposure anticipated (splash, spray, contact or touch) and the disease transmission category. 
• Provision of PPE for waste handlers, such as gloves, masks, goggles and protective clothing to safeguard against exposure to hazardous substances X.4.
• Training all personnel engaged in hazardous waste management on safety standard operating procedures and the correct use of PPE when handling hazardous waste. Train community members and waste management personnel to identify, handle and dispose of hazardous waste safely.
• Safe Collection Practices and protocols developed and implemented for the safe collection of hazardous waste, ensuring minimal contact and exposure. This may require specialised tools and equipment.
• Transportation using dedicated vehicles for hazardous waste, ensuring they are secure and comply with safety regulations, including proper labelling and containment during transit. To transport segregated waste within a health facility, best practice is to use a cart or trolley.
• Recycling of some hazardous materials where appropriate and possible, and where local structures exist. For example, oil refining industries, if present in the area, could recycle used engine oil. 
• Treatment and Disposal to ensure that hazardous waste is disposed of safely according to WHO recommendations. As required, ask the WASH and Health Clusters for support.
• On-site Treatment of hazardous waste, where feasible, using appropriate technologies such as autoclaving/microwaving/encapsulation of medical waste, neutralising chemical waste or incineration for certain hazardous materials. Only modern incinerators operating at 850°C to 1,100°C and fitted with special gas-cleaning equipment comply with international emission standards for dioxins and furans.
• Off-site Disposal to licensed off-site treatment and disposal facilities if on-site treatment is not feasible. Safe transport need to be ensured and check if the facilities can handle and treat hazardous waste according to regulatory standards.
• Legal Frameworks for hazardous waste management practices comply with local, national, and international regulations. This includes obtaining the necessary permits and adhering to hazardous waste handling, transportation and disposal guidelines X.1.
• Coordination and collaboration with local authorities, humanitarian organisations and environmental agencies in hazardous waste management efforts. Share resources and establish clear roles and responsibilities to ensure efficient and safe operations. Support from specialised organisations may be required to deal with hazardous materials. 
• Information Campaigns should be conducted to raise awareness in affected communities about the risks and dangers of hazardous waste and the importance of proper disposal methods. Use various communication channels to reach diverse audiences X.6.
• Regular Inspections need to be carried out of hazardous waste storage and disposal sites to ensure compliance with safety standards and identify potential risks X.3.
• Reporting systems are established for reporting incidents, spills, and non-compliance, taking corrective action as needed X.3.
• Emergency Preparedness and Response planning includes the design and implementation of a Waste Management Plan for hazardous and non-hazardous waste aligned with international guidelines.  
• Contingency Plans are developed and implemented to prepare for hazardous waste spills, leaks or accidents. These plans should include emergency response procedures and contact information for relevant authorities and response teams.
• Simulation Drills are conducted to prepare waste management teams and community members for potential hazardous waste emergencies.