Aqueous substances with a pH less than or equal to 2.0 are defined as what type of waste?

Aqueous substances with a pH less than or equal to 2.0 are classified as corrosive waste. This classification is based on the properties of materials that can cause destruction of living tissue or severe corrosion of materials upon contact. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with lower values indicating higher acidity. A pH of 2.0 is highly acidic, which can lead to significant chemical reactions that can damage equipment, pose risks to human health, and potentially harm the environment.

Corrosive waste poses unique health and safety hazards, requiring specialized handling, storage, and disposal procedures to mitigate risks. This classification is important in the context of Hazardous Waste Operations, as it dictates the necessary precautions and regulatory requirements to safely manage such substances. In contrast, substances classified as neutral or non-hazardous do not pose the same level of risk and therefore do not require stringent hazardous waste management protocols. Flammable substances, on the other hand, are categorized based on their ability to ignite and burn, which is not relevant to the pH-based classification of corrosiveness. Understanding these classifications is crucial for compliance with regulations and for ensuring safety in environments where hazardous materials are handled.