Classification based on characteristics
Apart from the concentration limit given above, the substances or wastes shall be classified as hazardous waste if it exhibits any of the following characteristics due to the presence of any hazardous constituents:
Class C1: Flammable-
A waste exhibits the characteristic of flammability or ignitability if a representative sample of the waste has any of the following properties, namely:-
(i) flammable liquids, or mixture of liquids, or liquids containing solids in solution or suspension (for example, paints, varnishes, lacquers, etc; but not including substances or wastes otherwise classified on account of their dangerous characteristics), which give off a flammable vapour at temperature less than 60°C. This flash point shall be measured as per ASTM D 93-79 closed-cup test method or as determined by an equivalent test method published by Central Pollution Control Board;
(ii) 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 vigorously and persistently creating a hazard;
(iii) it is an ignitable compressed gas;
(iv) It is an oxidizer and for the purposes of characterisation is a substance such as a chlorate, permanganate, inorganic peroxide, or a nitrate, that yields oxygen readily to stimulate the combustion of organic matter.
Class C2: Corrosive-
A waste exhibits the characteristic of corrosivity if a representative sample of the waste has either of the following properties, namely:-
(i) it is aqueous and has a pH less than or equal to 2 or greater than or equal to 12.5;
(ii) it is a liquid and corrodes steel (SAE 1020) at a rate greater than 6.35 mm per year at a test temperature of 55 °C;
(iii) it is not aqueous and, when mixed with an equivalent weight of water, produces a solution having a pH less than or equal to 2 or greater than or equal to 12.5;
(iv) it is not a liquid and, when mixed with an equivalent weight of water, produces a liquid that corrodes steel (SAE1020) at a rate greater than 6.35 mm per year at a test temperature of 55 °C.
Note:
For the purpose of determining the corrosivity, the Bureau of Indian Standard 9040 C method for pH determination, NACE TM 01 69 : Laboratory Corrosion Testing of Metals and EPA 1110A method for corrosivity towards steel (SAE1020) to establish the corrosivity characteristics shall be adopted.
Class C3: Reactive or explosive-
A waste exhibits the characteristic of reactivity if a representative sample of the waste it has any of the following properties, namely:-
(i) it is normally unstable and readily undergoes violent change without detonating;
(ii) it reacts violently with water or forms potentially explosive mixtures with water;
(iii) when mixed with water, it generates toxic gases, vapours or fumes in a quantity sufficient to present a danger to human health or the environment;
(iv) it is a cyanide or sulphide bearing waste which, when exposed to pH conditions between 2 and 12.5, can generate toxic gases, vapours or fumes in a quantity sufficient to present a danger to human health or the environmental;
(v) it is capable of detonation or explosive reaction if it is subjected to a strong initiating source or if heated under confinement;
(vi) it is readily capable of detonation or explosive decomposition or reaction at standard temperature and pressure;
(vii) it is a forbidden explosive.
Class C4: Toxic-
A waste exhibits the characteristic of toxicity, if, :-
(i) the concentration of the waste constituents listed in Class A and B (of this schedule) are equal to or more than the permissible limits prescribed therein;
(ii) it has an acute oral LD50 less than 2,500 milligrams per kilogram;
(iii) it has an acute dermal LD50 less than 4,300 milligrams per kilogram;
(iv) it has an acute inhalation LC50 less than 10,000 parts per million as a gas or vapour;
(v) it has acute aquatic toxicity with 50% mortality within 96 hours for zebra fish (Brachidanio rerio) at a concentration of 500 milligrams per litre in dilution water and test conditions as specified in BIS test method 6582 – 2001.
(vi) it has been shown through experience or by any standard reference test- method to pose a hazard to human health or environment because of its carcinogenicity, mutagenecity, endocrine disruptivity, acute toxicity, chronic toxicity, bio-accumulative properties or persistence in the environment.
Class C5: Substances or Wastes liable to spontaneous combustion -
Substances or Wastes which are liable to spontaneous heating under normal conditions encountered in transport, or to heating up on contact with air, and being then liable to catch fire.
Class C6: Substances or Wastes which, in contact with water emit flammable gases- Substances or Wastes which, by interaction with water, are liable to become spontaneously flammable or to give off flammable gases in dangerous quantities.
Class C5: Oxidizing - Substances or Wastes which, while in themselves not necessarily combustible, may, generally by yielding oxygen cause, or contribute to, the combustion of other materials.
Class C8: Organic Peroxides - Organic substances or Wastes which contain the bivalent O−O structure, which may undergo exothermic self-accelerating decomposition.
Class C9: Poisons (acute) - Substances or Wastes liable either to cause death or serious injury or to harm human health if swallowed or inhaled or by skin contact.
Class C10: Infectious substances - Substances or Wastes containing viable micro-organisms or their toxins which are known or suspected to cause disease in animals or humans.
Class C11: Liberation of toxic gases in contact with air or water - Substances or Wastes which, by interaction with air or water, are liable to give off toxic gases in dangerous quantities.
Class C12: Eco-toxic- Substances or Wastes which if released, present or may present immediate or delayed adverse impacts to the environment by means of bioaccumulation or toxic effects upon biotic systems or both.
Class C13: Capable, by any means, after disposal, of yielding another material, e.g., leachate, which possesses any of the characteristics listed above.
