Risk Assessments - Home and Farm Environmental Assessments

Managing Hazardous Household Products
The issue: Most of the waste accumulated around a home or farm is solid waste. Solid waste includes newspapers, empty paint cans, jars, leftover food, worn out shoes, plastic containers, etc. Some of this waste contains potentially hazardous materials. This includes toxic chemicals, corrosives, explosives, flammable substances, lubricating oils, or solvents for cleaning metal parts. Careful purchase of only essential products, using less toxic alternatives, recycling whenever possible, and utilizing safe disposal practices will minimize the impact of these wastes on groundwater and surface water sources.

To see if you should obtain and complete one of these voluntary and confidential risk assessment packets, answer the following questions.

YES	NO		Risk Screening Questions
		1	Do you purchase or use products without reading the labels?
		2	Do you consider alternatives when choosing a product?
		3	Do you buy more than you actually need?
		4	Do you use the product without following directions?
		5	Are any dangerous household products/wastes accessible to children?
		6	Do you consolidate leftovers into other types of containers?
		7	Do you store these products in areas with poor ventilation?
		8	Do you dispose of household trash near a well or waterway?
		9	Do you ever pour strong acids and cleaners directly into a storm sewer or waterway?
		10	Do you dump used antifreeze and waste oil near or in a well/waterway?
		11	Do you dispose of batteries near a well or waterway?
		12	Do you leave bottled gas containers in the trash or lying around on your property?
		13	Do you dump cleaning and other solvent containing chemicals in a well or waterway?
		14	Do you put flourescent bulbs in the garbage?

Answering yes to any of the questions indicates a potential risk to ground and surface water quality may exist on your property. If you answer yes to any of the questions, contact the Home*A*Syst/Farm*A*Syst office to obtain a complete assessment package on this topic at:

Chris Koehler, Extension Agent
WSU Cooperative Extension
Spokane County
222 North Havana
Spokane, Washington 99202-4799
509-477-2169 office
509-477-2087 fax
e-mail: Chris Koehler

For more information on this issue, contact your local WSU Cooperative Extension office locations or Conservation District.