Are pesticide contaminated soils considered Hazardous?

Pesticide-contaminated soil can trigger RCRA hazardous classification. The lab results determine the category.

• Listed hazardous: A Totals (dry weight) test finds a listed pesticide at any level. Examples include chlordane, heptachlor, lindane, methoxychlor, and toxaphene.
• Characteristic hazardous: A TCLP test finds a pesticide at or above its RCRA limit.
• Combination waste codes: Some soils meet both rules. In that case, the soil can carry two codes. One example is U036/D039.

Non-hazardous: Soil may qualify as non-hazardous when you have no known release or spill source. Normal pesticide application does not count as a spill. TCLP PCE must also stay below 0.7 mg/L.