The following is a list of potential hazardous waste generators. Explain the possible hazardous wastes generated from each and how each waste is classified as hazardous. a) Dry cleaners b) Doctors' offices
Thermochemistry
Thermochemistry can be considered as a branch of thermodynamics that deals with the connections between warmth, work, and various types of energy, formed because of different synthetic and actual cycles. Thermochemistry describes the energy changes that occur as a result of reactions or chemical changes in a substance.
Exergonic Reaction
The term exergonic is derived from the Greek word in which ‘ergon’ means work and exergonic means ‘work outside’. Exergonic reactions releases work energy. Exergonic reactions are different from exothermic reactions, the one that releases only heat energy during the course of the reaction. So, exothermic reaction is one type of exergonic reaction. Exergonic reaction releases work energy in different forms like heat, light or sound. For example, a glow stick releases light making that an exergonic reaction and not an exothermic reaction since no heat is released. Even endothermic reactions at very high temperature are exergonic.
The following is a list of potential hazardous waste generators. Explain the possible hazardous wastes generated from each and how each waste is classified as hazardous.
a) Dry cleaners
b) Doctors' offices
Here are the possible hazardous wastes generated by each of the given generators and how they are classified as hazardous:
a) Dry cleaners: Modern dry cleaning processes generate a variety of wastes that require hazardous waste management. First, there are the raw chemicals to consider. Among them: Tetrachloroethylene is a colorless liquid that’s widely used for dry cleaning, so much so that it’s commonly called “dry cleaning fluid.” The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified it as a Group 2A carcinogen. Perchloroethylene (aka perc) is a solvent that’s highly useful in dry cleaning operations for its ability to dissolve grease, oil, and wax from textiles without damaging them. But it’s also a reproductive toxicant, neurotoxicant, potential carcinogen, and persistent environmental pollutant. Any water that has come into direct contact with perc is a listed hazardous waste, and even very small amounts of it can significantly pollute soil and groundwater. (Water contaminated with perc cannot be discharged into private septic systems or public sewers.) Petroleum Distillates like Exxon 2000 are a combustible liquid material developed as a safer and more environmentally sustainable alternative to solvents like perc. These petroleum distillates are less effective overall than perc, but also are less damaging to the environment and though they are still combustible, provide a safer alternative when used correctly. As states like California move to ban perc, petroleum distillates are an increasingly popular choice for dry cleaners.
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