Why is Hazardous Waste Called "Inert" in Your "Registered" Poisons?

Xylene one of the many toxic "inerts" in pesticides. 

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Subject:   Why is Hazardous Waste Called "Inert" in Your "Registered" Poisons?
Date:        Tue, 13 Jun 2000 08:16:09 -0400
From:        Stephen Tvedten <steve@getipm.com>
Organization:     Get Set Inc. (www.getipm.com)

To:     Lyndon Hawkins <hawkins@empm.cdpr.ca.gov>
          Senior Research Scientist
          State of California, Department of Pesticide Regulation - Integrated Pest Management

Dear Lyndon, I thought you might like to read an article from the Environment News Service entitled:  FLORIDA MAN ARRESTED FOR STORING HAZARDOUS WASTES.  

LADY LAKE, Florida, June 12, 2000 (ENS) ­ A Florida man has been arrested for storing more than 2,000 gallons of commercial paint waste at a mini-warehouse in Lady Lake. The state Department of Environmental Protection arrested Robert Hunter after discovering the wastes in a U-Stor-It facility. Most of the waste was xylene, a flammable liquid categorized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a hazardous waste. Hunter used the xylene for his business of painting concrete driveways. In May, odors from the lockers prompted complaints to state officials. When they investigated, they found the source of the odors ­ waste xylene stored in four storage units. A tractor-trailer had to be contracted to haul away the waste. It filled 344 five gallon pails and nine 55 gallon drums.  

"This was an explosive situation," said special agent Chris Campora. "We’re talking over seven tons of highly flammable waste ­ and only Mr. Hunter knew about it." In 1999, a Lake County deputy advised Hunter on the proper disposal of commercial wastes. The contract by which Hunter rented the storage units explicitly forbids storage of explosives, combustible materials and chemicals. He had rented at the same location since 1995. Hunter is charged with a felony ­ storing hazardous waste without the required permits. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison and $50,000 in fines.  

Well Lyndon, if the EPA defines xylene as hazardous waste, why do you allow it to be used as an untested "inert" in many of your "registered" POISON compounds?  

Respectfully,  Stephen L. Tvedten

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