Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) Practice Exam

A waste can be classified as hazardous under RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act) regulations based on several characteristics, one of which is corrosivity. Corrosive wastes are defined as those that can cause destruction of living tissue or severe corrosion of materials. This classification is significant because corrosive substances can lead to severe environmental and health hazards if not managed properly.

Corrosivity is typically measured by the pH level of the waste. If a waste has a pH less than or equal to 2 or greater than or equal to 12.5, it is considered corrosive. This characteristic makes it essential to identify and manage these types of wastes appropriately, as they can cause damage to containers, leach into soil and water, and pose direct health threats to personnel handling them.

In contrast, while durability, odor, and volume are important factors to consider in waste management, they are not specific criteria under RCRA for classifying a waste as hazardous. Durability relates to the physical properties of materials, odor indicates possible chemical reactions or degradation, and volume pertains to quantities rather than inherent hazards. Therefore, the characteristic of corrosivity is a definitive criterion in the classification of hazardous waste under RCRA regulations.