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SAN LEANDRO SHORELINE DEVELOPMENT DRAFT EIR
<br />CITY OF SAN LEANDRO
<br />HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
<br />4.7 HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
<br />This chapter describes the regulatory framework and existing conditions related to hazards and hazardous
<br />materials within the Project site, and the potential resulting impacts from development of the Project.
<br />4.7.1 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
<br />4.7.1.1 REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
<br />Hazardous materials refer generally to hazardous substances, hazardous waste, and other materials that
<br />exhibit corrosive, poisonous, flammable, and/or reactive properties and have the potential to harm
<br />human health and/or the environment. Hazardous materials are used in products (e.g., household
<br />cleaners, industrial solvents, paint, pesticides, etc.) and in the manufacturing of products (e.g., electronics,
<br />newspapers, plastic products, etc.). Hazardous materials can include petroleum, natural gas, synthetic gas,
<br />acutely toxic chemicals, and other toxic chemicals that are used in agriculture, commercial, and industrial
<br />uses; businesses; hospitals; and households. Accidental releases of hazardous materials have a variety of
<br />causes, including highway incidents, warehouse fires, train derailments, shipping accidents, and industrial
<br />incidents.
<br />The term "hazardous materials" as used in this section includes all materials defined in the California
<br />Health and Safety Code (H&SC Section 25501(m)):
<br />"A material that, because of its quantity, concentration, or physical or chemical characteristics, poses a
<br />significant present or potential hazard to human health and safety or to the environment if released
<br />into the workplace or the environment. 'Hazardous materials' include, but are not limited to,
<br />hazardous substances, hazardous waste, and any material that a handler or the unified program
<br />agency has a reasonable basis for believing that it would be injurious to the health and safety of
<br />persons or harmful to the environment if released into the workplace or the environment"
<br />The term includes chemicals regulated by the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT), the
<br />United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the California Department of Toxic Substances
<br />Control (DTSC), the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (CalOES), and other agencies as
<br />hazardous materials, wastes, or substances. "Hazardous waste" is any hazardous material that has been
<br />discarded, except those materials specifically excluded by regulation. Hazardous materials that have been
<br />intentionally disposed of or inadvertently released fall within the definition of "discarded" materials and
<br />can result in the creation of hazardous waste. Hazardous wastes are broadly characterized by their
<br />ignitability, toxicity, corrosivity, reactivity, radioactivity, or bioactivity. Federal and State hazardous waste
<br />definitions are similar, but contain enough distinctions that separate classifications are in place for federal
<br />Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) hazardous wastes and State non-RCRA hazardous wastes.
<br />Hazardous wastes require special handling and disposal because of their potential to impact public health
<br />and the environment. Some materials are designated "acutely" or "extremely" hazardous under relevant
<br />statutes and regulations.
<br />Hazardous materials and wastes can pose a significant actual or potential hazard to human health and the
<br />environment when improperly treated, stored, transported, disposed of, or otherwise managed. Many
<br />federal, State, and local programs that regulate the use, storage, and transportation of hazardous
<br />PLACEWORKS 4.7-1
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