HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

WHY SHOULD i BE CONCERNED?

Water contaminated with hazardous materials threatens the health of humans and animals. Contaminated water used for irrigation purposes may also damage plants. Because cleanup of contaminated water is expensive and may not be possible, it is always best to take preventative actions that protect your water resources from any possible contamination. ​
Click on one of the tabs below to find out how to identify, store and dispose of hazardous materials to protect your water resources. 
  • WHAT ARE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS?
  • HOW TO STORE & USE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFELY​
  • DISPOSAL
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WHAT ARE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS?

HOME & ACREAGE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Materials are considered hazardous if they are toxic, corrosive, flammable or explosive. The list below includes some common hazardous materials found around the home or acreage:​
COMMON HAZARDOUS MATERIALS:
  • solvents, spot removers and dry cleaning fluids
  • pesticides
  • oil and lead based paint, turpentine, stains, finishes, paint strippers and wood preservatives
  • tires and car batteries, used oil filters
  • household cleaners
  • ash from burned trash and sludge from burned waste oil
  • gasoline, antifreeze and used motor oil
  • flea powder and veterinary waste
  • photography chemicals
  • asbestos

> > TAKE ACTION! 
​TO PREVENT POLLUTION

Prevent problems with hazardous materials by doing the following:​
  • Reduce the amount of materials you use.
  • Read product labels and always use according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Look for products that can do the same job with less hazardous materials.
  • Recycle materials when possible.
  • Collect spilled materials for reuse, and absorb small drips and spills with “floor dry” or cat litter.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
For more information on identifying hazardous materials, contact your local health department or the Utah Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Waste Management & Radiation Control
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE & HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
One of the largest sources of hazardous waste on many farmsteads and acreages is from vehicle maintenance. To protect wells and surface water:
  • Locate equipment maintenance and storage areas away from wells and surface water.
  • Maintenance drainage should be contained or directed away from wells and surface water.
  • Store and maintain vehicles on sealed surfaces.
  • Do not “flush” the area with solvents to keep it free of oil and grease.
  • Capture spills and drips, and use absorbent materials to clean up waste.

HOW TO STORE & USE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFELY

STORAGE 
When possible, buy only the amount of materials you can use quickly and not need to store. Store all hazardous materials in a well marked, well ventilated storage area which is locked and secure from children or vandals. (As a rule of thumb, if you can smell your products, ventilation is inadequate to protect your health).
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Store materials in the original container or in clearly labeled containers (never use old food containers).  Original containers will indicate if materials are flammable, poisonous, or corrosive.  Frequently inspect containers for leaks and store clean up rags with the same care as the hazardous materials.

> > TAKE ACTION! 
PROTECT YOUR WELL & WATER RESOURCES

  • Use and store hazardous wastes away from water resources (at least 150 feet from a well or surface water) to prevent contamination from accidental spills or leaks
  • Do not store any chemical or item containing chemicals inside a well house
  • Do not mix chemicals or clean containers near a well or surface water
  • Seal floor drains in workshops or garages where hazardous materials may be spilled on the floor
  • NEVER use abandoned well pits for disposal or storage of chemical containers or other hazardous waste
  • NEVER dump wastes down drains leading to a sewer or septic system, ditches, streams or other waterways​

HOW TO DISPOSE OF HAZARDOUS WASTE

DISPOSE OF HAZARD MATERIALS PROPERLY
All hazardous waste generated on your small acreage should be disposed of properly.  Burning hazardous waste on farmsteads is illegal. Hazardous wastes can be burned only by federally licensed incinerators.  See disposal guidelines below for specific hazardous wastes:

> > TAKE ACTION! 
DISPOSE OF WASTES PROPERLY

Many hazardous wastes can be disposed of at local collection facilities or special hazardous waste collection days. ​​
DISPOSAL GUIDELINES FOR SPECIFIC HAZARDOUS WASTES
  • Acids & Bases: Items like muriatic acid, battery acid, nitric acid, and hydrofluoric acid can cause severe eye and skin damage. Always useacids and bases according to label directions and dispose of them through a private hazardous waste company.
  • Antifreeze: Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol and is poisonous to humans and animals. Used antifreeze that is not contaminated with oil or other materials can be recycled. Check with your local service station. Contaminated antifreeze must be treated as a hazardous waste. NEVER put antifreeze down a septic system.
  • Ash & Sludge: Ash and sludge from waste oil burners may contain heavy metals. Take this material to a landfill for disposal.
  • Asbestos: Asbestos fibers that can be inhaled or ingested are a toxic material requiring careful handling. Some asbestos-containing materials have little potential to yield fibers in a powder or dust during removal and disposal and may be sent to a landfill as solid waste. Other forms such as asbestos cement (transite) or slate board roofing is dangerous and must be packaged, labeled and taken to a landfill that accepts this material. To assure safe and legal disposal, contact your local health district or the Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Air Quality.
  • Car Batteries: Each car, ATV, motorcycle or boat battery can contain 18 pounds of lead and one pound of sulfuric acid. Recycle batteries at local automotive stores or recycling centers. If you buy a new battery, you can trade in the old battery.
  • Dead Animals: Bury animals far from wells, ditches, creeks, rivers and other bodies of water for public health and pollution reasons. Other methods of animal disposal include rendering or pick up service where available, landfilling (check regulations with your local landfill), or composting. For more information, see the veterinary compliance assistance website. 
  • Motor Oil Filters: Drain filters of used oil, wrap in by puncturing the anti-drain back valve on the flat bottom end. If the filter doesn’t have a back valve on the bottom, try puncturing a hole in the dome end. Place the punctured end down and drain the filter for 12 hours. The filter will drain best when it is still warm from the engine. Wrap the drained filter in newspaper and place it with regular trash. Some places recycle filters. For more information, see the Utah DEQ recycling page.  
  • Oil Based Products: Lead paint, turpentine, paint thinner, varnish and filters from a paint booth can be flammable or toxic. Use up materials if possible and dispose of excess at a hazardous waste collection facility.
  • Old Fuels: If fuel such as diesel, gasoline, kerosene or fuel oil can’t be used up, take them to a private hazardous waste firm.
  • Paint, Varnish, Stain, Paint Stripper: Latex or water based paint and stain, less than ten years old, can be air dried or solidified with an equal amount of clay cat litter and taken to a landfill or put out for trash pickup.
  • Pesticides and Banned Pesticides:  Take pesticides that can’t be used up to a special hazardous waste collection event or dispose of through a private hazardous waste firm. Old pesticides that have been in storage for many years should be placed in secondary containment until they are properly disposed. Many older pesticides are no longer registered for use. 
  • Solvents: Parts-washing solvents, cleaning solvents and similar materials can be disposed of through a private hazardous waste disposal company. Renting a parts washer can be a good option for some operations and avoids the problem of solvent disposal by the individual homeowner or farmer.  NEVER drain to surface waters or to a well.
  • Tires: Disposal of used tires is difficult because there are few options. DO NOT burn tires, as they burn very hot for a long time and release toxic gases. Return tires to the equipment/vehicle dealer who will chop them up and send them to a landfill or utility where tires are burned with coal to produce energy. The dealer will charge a disposal fee based on the size of the tire.
  • Used Motor Oil: You may recycle used motor oil at the local agricultural chemical dealer or oil change station. Clean oil can be burned in an approved furnace for heat but if it contaminated with solvents, kerosene or other materials, it must be treated as a flammable hazardous waste. Land spreading of waste oil is not allowed.  See the Utah DEQ recycling page.
  • Veterinary Medical Waste: Check to see if you can return unused medical waste like antibiotics to your veterinarian. Call your extension educator for other options. Most special collection days for hazardous waste do not take medical waste. Place items like syringes in a heavy plastic container with a lid, marked clearly, and take to a landfill.
  • Wood Preservatives: Products used to protect wood are usually flammable and some are poisonous. Dispose of these at a hazardous waste disposal site or on a hazardous waste cleanup day.
LAWS & REGULATIONS
Households in Utah are considered “conditionally exempt” from federal regulations if they use and store small amounts of hazardous materials. However, waste still needs to be disposed of at a licensed hazardous waste facility.

FIND OUT MORE
To find out if your farm or small acreage is considered conditionally exempt, use this guide from the EPA: Managing your Hazardous Waste: A Guide for Small Businesses. 
Utah State University Extension Water Quality
​Utah Water Quality Task Force
Utah Division of Water Quality
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We’ve designed this website for Utah’s small acreage farmers. We hope you like it. We value your feedback, questions and concerns.  Email us at waterquality@usu.edu.