Subpart C

§261.20 General.

(a) A solid waste, as defined in §261.2, which is not excluded from regulation as a hazardous waste under §261.4(b), is a hazardous waste if it exhibits any of the characteristics identified in this subpart.

(Comment: §262.11 of this chapter sets forth the generator's responsibility to
determine whether his waste exhibits one or more of the characteristics identified in
this subpart)

(b) A hazardous waste which is identified by a characteristic in this subpart is assigned every EPA Hazardous Waste Number that is applicable as set forth in this subpart. This number must be used in complying with the notification requirements of section 3010 of the Act and all applicable recordkeeping and reporting requirements under Parts 262 through 265, 268, and 270 of this chapter.

(c) For purposes of this subpart, the Administrator will consider a sample obtained using any of the applicable sampling methods specified in appendix I to be a representative sample within the meaning of Part 260 of this chapter.

(Comment: Since the appendix I sampling methods are not being formally adopted by the Administrator, a person who desires to employ an alternative sampling method is not required to demonstrate the equivalency of his method under the procedures set forth in §§260.20 and 260.21.)

(45 FR 33119, May 19, 1980, as amended at 51 FR 40636, Nov. 7, 1986; 55 FR 22684, June 1, 1990; 56 FR 3876, Jan. 31, 1991)


§261.21 Characteristic of ignitability.

(a) A solid waste exhibits the characteristic of ignitability if a sample of the waste has any of the following properties:

(1) It is a liquid, other than an aqueous solution containing less than 24 percent alcohol by volume and has flash point less than 60 C (140 F), as determined by a Pensky-Martens Closed Cup Tester, using the test method specified in ASTM Standard D-93-79 or D-93-80 (incorporated by reference, see §260.11), or a Setaflash Closed Cup Tester, using the test method specified in ASTM Standard D-3278-78 (incorporated by reference, see §260.11), or as determined by an equivalent test method approved by the Administrator under procedures set forth in §§260.20 and 260.21.

(2) It is not a liquid and is capable, under standard temperature and pressure, of causing fire through friction, absorption of moisture or spontaneous chemical changes and, when ignited, burns so vigorously and persistently that it creates a hazard.

(3) It is an ignitable compressed gas as defined in 49 CFR §173.300 and as determined by the test methods described in that regulation or equivalent test methods approved by the Administrator under §§260.20 and 260.21.

(4) It is an oxidizer as defined in 49 CFR §173.151.

(b) A solid waste that exhibits the characteristic of ignitability has the EPA Hazardous Waste Number of D001.

(45 FR 33119, May 19, 1980, as amended at 46 FR 35247, July 7, 1981; 55 FR 22684, June 1, 1990)


§261.22 Characteristic of corrosivity.

(a) A solid waste exhibits the characteristic of corrosivity if a representative sample of the waste has either of the following properties:

(1) It is aqueous and has a pH less than or equal to 2 or greater than or equal to 12.5, as determined by a pH meter using either an EPA test method or an equivalent test method approved by the Administrator under the procedures set forth in §§260.20 and 260.21. The EPA test method for pH is specified as Method 5.2 in "Test Methods for the Evaluation of Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods'' (incorporated by reference, see §260.11).

(2) It is a liquid and corrodes steel (SAE 1020) at a rate greater than 6.35 mm (0.250 inch) per year at a test temperature of 55 C (130 F) as determined by the test method specified in NACE (National Association of Corrosion Engineers) Standard TM-01-69 as standardized in "Test Methods for the Evaluation of Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods'' (incorporated by reference, see 260.11) or an equivalent test method approved by the Administrator under the procedures set forth in §§260.20 and 260.21.

(b) A solid waste that exhibits the characteristic of corrosivity has the EPA Hazardous Waste Number of D002.

(45 FR 33119, May 19, 1980, as amended at 46 FR 35247, July 7, 1981; 55 FR 22684, June 1, 1990)


§261.23 Characteristic of reactivity.

(a) A solid waste exhibits the characteristic of reactivity if a representative sample of the waste has any of the following properties:

(1) It is normally unstable and readily undergoes violent change without detonating.

(2) It reacts violently with water.

(3) It forms potentially explosive mixtures with water.

(4) When mixed with water, it generates toxic gases, vapors or fumes in a quantity sufficient to present a danger to human health or the environment.

(5) It is a cyanide or sulfide bearing waste which, when exposed to pH conditions between 2 and 12.5, can generate toxic gases, vapors or fumes in a quantity sufficient to present a danger to human health or the environment.

(6) It is capable of detonation or explosive reaction if it is subjected to a strong initiating source or if heated under confinement.

(7) It is readily capable of detonation or explosive decomposition or reaction at standard temperature and pressure.

(8) It is a forbidden explosive as defined in 49 CFR §173.51, or a Class A explosive as defined in 49 CFR §173.53 or a Class B explosive as defined in 49 CFR §173.88.

(b) A solid waste that exhibits the characteristic of reactivity has the EPA Hazardous Waste Number of D003.

(45 FR 33119, May 19, 1980, as amended at 55 FR 22684, June 1, 1990)


§261.24 Toxicity characteristic.

(a) A solid waste exhibits the characteristic of toxicity if, using the test methods described in appendix II or equivalent methods approved by the Administrator under the procedures set forth in §§260.20 and 260.21, the extract from a representative sample of the waste contains any of the contaminants listed in table 1 at the concentration equal to or greater than the respective value given in that table. Where the waste contains less than 0.5 percent filterable solids, the waste itself, after filtering using the methodology outlined in appendix II, is considered to be the extract for the purpose of this section.

(b) A solid waste that exhibits the characteristic of toxicity has the EPA Hazardous Waste Number specified in Table I which corresponds to the toxic contaminant causing it to be hazardous.

Table 1_Maximum Concentration of Contaminants for the Toxicity Characteristic

TABLE/GRAPH OMITTED

(55 FR 11862, Mar. 29, 1990, as amended at 55 FR 22684, June 1, 1990; 55 FR 26987, June 29, 1990)

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