In The Know: The Toxic Substances, Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act

UNDER PROBE The MT Glenn Guardian docked at Alava Pier on Subic Bay. ROBERT GONZAGA/INQUIRER CENTRAL LUZON

According to a Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) procedural manual on toxic and hazardous waste management as mandated in the implementation rules for Republic Act No. 6969, or the Toxic Substances, Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act:

• Hazardous wastes are substances brought to the country without any safe commercial, industrial, agricultural or economic usage.

• Wastes are considered hazardous if they are listed under the Classification of Prescribed Hazardous Wastes, which groups substances as wastes with cyanide, acid waste, alkali wastes, wastes with inorganic chemicals, reactive chemical wastes, waste organic solvent, oil, containers, immobilized wastes and organic chemicals.

• Toxic wastes are substances that are poisonous and have carcinogenic, mutagenic, or teratogenic effects on human or other life forms.

An inventory of chemical substances stored, imported, exported, used, processed, manufactured, or transported in the country is maintained by the DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau.

The list, called the Philippine Inventory of Chemicals and Chemical Substances, serves as a guide for manufacturers, importers, distributors and users of chemicals in the conduct of their business. Inquirer Research