An Introduction to Soil Pollution

An Introduction to Soil Pollution in Houston, TX

Soil pollution can have a negative impact on plants, animals, the water table, and other environmental elements. When industrial factories do not practice proper waste management, their byproducts could enter the surrounding soil and cause pollution. With correct industrial waste disposal, it is possible to minimize soil pollution in Houston, TX.

What Is Soil Pollution?

Soil pollution is the contamination of soil by toxic chemicals, pollutants, hazardous waste, or contaminants in high enough concentrations that it poses a risk to human health or the ecosystem. While some contaminants occur naturally in the soil, soil pollution is caused by the introduction of higher levels of contaminants than are naturally present.

What Are the Primary Causes of Soil Pollution?

Understanding soil pollution and its causes can help your company design and implement a comprehensive prevention plan. All soils contain a natural level of contaminants like metal, phosphates, sulfates, nitrates, and organic compounds. If the levels of contamination exceed natural levels, the soil is polluted. The most common causes of soil pollution are anthropogenic and natural. Anthropogenic pollution is caused by man, while natural pollution is caused by wind, rainwater, soil disturbances, and animal activity.

• Natural Pollution – Natural pollution is often caused by rainwater or water runoff, animal activity, wind, erosion, or soil disturbances.
• Man-Made Pollution – Man-made pollution is by far the most common cause of soil pollution. Man-made pollution is caused by improper disposal of chemical and industrial waste, including manufacturing, agricultural, and pharmaceutical processes.

Most Common Types of Soil Pollution in the U.S.

Soil pollution is a combination of contaminants and pollutants. Pollutants can be natural or man-made. Contaminants are the byproducts of pollutants. Man-made pollutants are typically the result of agricultural practices, industrial and chemical manufacturing, or radioactive emissions. The most common types of soil pollution in the U.S. are:

• Biological – Biological pollutants are non-native species introduced to the soil, such as contaminants from living organisms.
• Agricultural – Agricultural pollutants include pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, slurry, debris, and manure.
• Radioactive – Radioactive pollutants include radium, thorium, uranium, and nitrogen.
• Urban – Urban waste includes garbage, dried sludge, sewage, and domestic and commercial waste.
• Industrial and chemical – Industrial and chemical waste is generated by paper mills, oil refineries, mines, factories, petroleum production, and other processes. Pollution includes drugs and pharmaceuticals, hazardous waste, cement, glass, steel, and more.

The most common soil contaminants are:

• Arsenic
• Copper
• Herbicides
• Insecticides
• Lead
• Mercury
• Nickel
• Pesticides
• Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons
• Zinc

Understanding the Effects of Soil Pollution

Soil pollution can cause illness, injury, and death to plants, animals, and humans. Soil pollution can increase the risk of illness or disease and affect the nervous and immune systems. Some of the most serious effects of soil pollution are:

• Health problems like developmental disorders, brain damage, neurological conditions, nervous system conditions, and illness
• Increased risk of certain cancers like leukemia
• Damage to crops
• Water and air pollution if soil pollutants wash into rivers or volatile compounds enter the atmosphere
• Loss of habitats for wildlife and loss of biodiversity
• Degradation of land
• Loss of livelihood and economic downturn

The Connection Between Industrial Waste & Soil Pollution

Industrial waste is one of the leading causes of soil pollution. Industrial chemical waste contains toxins and hazardous materials that can contaminate soil, such as lead, zinc, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury. If industrial waste is not properly disposed of or if it leaks from buildings, trucks, or storage containers, it can cause soil pollution, water pollution, and air pollution. It’s crucial to have a comprehensive industrial waste management program in place at any facility that generates industrial chemical waste.

Preventing Soil Pollution

The most effective way to prevent soil pollution is to properly dispose of, recycle, or reuse chemicals or industrial byproducts. You can also reduce the use of certain contaminants like pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. Some crucial ways you can prevent soil pollution are:

• Reusing or recycling plastics, chemicals, and metals when possible
• Properly disposing of hazardous and non-hazardous waste
• Composting organic waste
• Storing chemicals, fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and manure properly
• Using biodegradable and eco-friendly products
• Using soil remediation services if you become aware of a spill or soil pollution

Learn More About Soil Pollution and Remediation Solutions

When you are seeking top-quality industrial waste disposal services or soil remediation services in Houston, TX, look no further than Excel Industrial Group, LLC. Our company can assist you with all of your industrial waste disposal needs, and we will make sure that your waste disposal methods are not causing pollution. To book a consultation with a waste analysis professional, call or contact us online.

What Are the Dangers of Lead Exposure?

What Is Chemical Repurposing?

What Is Asbestos?

Certified Asbestos Abatement in Houston, TX

Asbestos is a hazardous material commonly found in industrial establishments and was formerly a preferred construction solution. It is linked to a wide range of health risks, raising the importance of effective removal. To satisfy these critical procedures, Excel Industrial Group provides full-service asbestos abatement services in Houston, TX.

What Is Asbestos?

Once regarded for its versatility and affordability, asbestos is now known to be problematic. Derived from soil and rock, asbestos consists of six natural minerals characterized by thin, fibrous crystals that cannot be detected by the naked eye. The resiliency of asbestos fibers made it a popular industrial building material in the 20^th century.

The History of Asbestos in the United States

Asbestos was formerly a premier choice for product fabrication because of its extended durability, fire resistance, insulating properties, and affordable price point. However, modern research discovered that along with its redeeming qualities, asbestos was also extremely toxic. This caused the induction of stringent asbestos regulations in the 1980s.

The Reality of Asbestos Exposure

While there are regulations surrounding the use of asbestos in the United States, this problematic mineral is not entirely banned. Moreover, the risk of asbestos exposure remains a very real concern. Many older commercial and industrial facilities still feature some form of asbestos product.

Types of Asbestos

Asbestos is a term that covers various forms of asbestos products used in commercial and industrial applications. There are two categories of asbestos, amphibole and serpentine, and six types of asbestos. The amphibole family refers to five forms of asbestos: actinolite, amosite, anthophyllite, crocidolite, and tremolite, whereas the serpentine asbestos family is defined solely by chrysotile.

Chrysotile

Chrysotile, also known as white asbestos, is the only member of the serpentine asbestos family and the most widely used type of asbestos. With superior insulation and fire-proofing properties, chrysotile was favored for construction, accounting for 90-95% of all building asbestos in the United States.

Actinolite

Actinolite asbestos is a darker-colored mineral in the amphibole family. This type of asbestos was commonly used in the manufacturing of cement, paint, drywall, sealants, and insulation products.

Amosite

Amosite, also known as brown asbestos, is an amphibole mineral. It is the second most popular form of asbestos, accounting for approximately 5% of all asbestos used in America. Brown asbestos is typically associated with insulation, tiles, and gaskets.

Anthophyllite

Anthophyllite asbestos is another type of amphibole asbestos. Ranging from yellow to brown, anthophyllite was seldom used for consumer applications. However, it has been found in certain types of insulation and cement products.

Crocidolite

Crocidolite is an amphibole asbestos commonly referred to as blue asbestos. Crocidolite offers reduced heat resistance, so it is far less sought-after than alternative asbestos types. Applications that may contain blue asbestos include tile, insulation, and cement products.

Tremolite

Tremolite is the fifth and final member of the amphibole family. Its color varies from cloudy white to dark green. Tremolite is associated with plumbing materials, paint, and sealing agents.

Risk Categories of Asbestos Products

Asbestos products are classified as friable or non-friable. These classifications indicate the exposure risk of the material. Asbestos products that crumble into a powdery substance when manipulated by hand are known as friable. Non-friable products refer to asbestos fibers contained within a solid material. Friable asbestos products are associated with higher risks than non-friable products.

The Health Risks Associated with Asbestos

Both short- and long-term exposure to asbestos are linked to certain asbestos-related illnesses. Inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers contributes to a prolonged latency period and gradual development of numerous health conditions, including:

• Laryngeal cancer
• Lung cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Mesothelioma (cancer of vital organ lining)
• Asbestosis (chronic lung disease)
• Pleural thickening
• Pleural plaques

How to Test for Asbestos 

If you suspect the presence of asbestos, it’s imperative to seek professional intervention. Asbestos cannot be simply removed. Demolition or renovation procedures pose the risk of aggravating the asbestos, elevating the likelihood of hazardous exposure. To protect your business and employees, look to our Excel Industrial Group’s certified waste management team.

How to Safely Handle Asbestos Removal

Asbestos abatement is a multistep procedure used to remove asbestos-containing materials. To limit exposure risks, asbestos abatement includes:

• Assessment to detect and test asbestos materials
• Containment to mitigate the risk of airborne asbestos fibers
• Asbestos removal using specialized equipment and detachment techniques
• Compliant hazardous waste disposal procedure

Asbestos Abatement with Excel Industrial Group

We recognize the dangers of improper asbestos abatement. To minimize exposure and restore the safety of your property, we employ a meticulous asbestos abatement process that adheres to all applicable local, state, and federal regulations. With years of expertise and industrial-grade equipment, trust in our experts for effective asbestos and hazardous materials management.

Contact Us for Asbestos & Hazardous Materials Management

When you let our waste management professionals handle your asbestos removal, you avoid unnecessary risks. Partner with our certified team for high-quality site assessments, asbestos, and hazardous materials management services in Houston, TX. For more information or to schedule an inspection, contact Excel Industrial Group today.

The Basics of Chemical Recycling

The Basics of Chemical Recycling in Houston, TX

Chemical waste is a byproduct of many different industrial manufacturing processes. If your company disposes of large quantities of chemicals throughout the workweek, it may be time to explore chemical recycling options. For safe and effective solutions tailored to your operational demands, look to Excel Industrial Group in Houston, TX.

What Is Chemical Recycling?

Chemical recycling involves safely disposing of excess chemicals in a way that enables the materials to be reused or repurposed. In contrast to mechanical recycling procedures, chemical recycling does not simply reshape the materials. Working at a molecular level, chemical recycling breaks down waste and restores chemicals to their inherent form or subsequent useable materials.

The Significance of Chemical Recycling

Certain plastics are historically challenging in terms of proper disposal practices. Traditional mechanical recycling methods cannot be used for contaminated plastic waste and/or mixed-polymer waste streams. These subsets of plastic waste account for the majority of all plastic waste streams, raising the importance of incorporating effective chemical recycling procedures into your industrial operations.

The Benefits of Chemical Recycling

There is no substitute for effective chemical recycling. These tailored procedures are linked to many benefits, including:

• Reduced volume of landfill waste
• Natural resource conservation
• Greater sustainability, contributing towards a circular economy
• Minimize greenhouse gas and CO2 emissions
• Recycle and repurpose plastic waste that cannot be handled through mechanical recycling

Sulfuric Acid Recycling

Sulfuric acid is a chemical used in many industries. To recycle it, a processing plant must dilute and evaporate the liquid acid to produce a sulfur trioxide concentrate. The concentrate can then be reused for various applications.

Hydrochloric Acid Recycling

The operations of industrial manufacturing plants that work with steel materials often feature hydrochloric acid. Hydrochloric acid can easily be treated and recycled once it has been used to purify steel. Pyrohydrolysis is the chemical recycling process for hydrochloric acid. This process involves concentration and evaporation procedures to separate the used acid into iron chloride components.

Chemical Recycling of Packing Materials

Polymers are large molecules that make up the chemical structure of various plastic products, including packing materials. Polymers have the potential to be reused for a wide range of applications. However, they are notoriously challenging to dispose of as they cannot be treated using conventional recycling procedures.

What Does Chemical Recycling of Packaging Materials Involve?

Plastic packaging materials account for the world’s largest waste stream. To minimize environmental impact and promote sustainable efforts across varying industrial sectors, chemical recycling processes are encouraged for contaminated and/or complex plastic packaging materials. These recycling demands commonly involve depolymerization achieved through a process called hydrolysis.

Depolymerization for Polymer Plastic Waste

Depolymerization is the primary method used to recycle and decompose contaminated or complex plastic packing materials. Depolymerization blends solvents, heat, and chemistry to break down polymers into their inherent monomer form (smaller molecules). Subsequent depolymerization and chemical recycling procedures include glycolysis, aminolysis, and alcoholysis.

Choose Excel Industrial Group

With decades of expertise, state-of-the-art equipment, and the resources to satisfy a wide spectrum of industrial demands, Excel Industrial Group sets the standard for non-hazardous and hazardous chemical recycling and chemical trading services. With a commitment to sustainability, trust in our certified experts for safe, effective, and compliant waste management solutions that align with your business.

Contact Us for Chemical Recycling Solutions

Excel Industrial Group is proud to be a premier choice for industrial waste disposal and recycling. Entrust your waste management efforts to our full-service non-hazardous and hazardous chemical waste recycling services in Houston, TX. For more information about our acid waste disposal, recycling, and chemical trading services, contact our team today.

What You Should Know About Chemical Trading

The Chemical Trading Business in Houston, TX

Turn your company’s chemical waste into profit with Excel Industrial Group. Our experts specialize in chemical trading services for industrial facilities across Houston, TX, and the United States. If you’re new to the chemical trading business, we’ve compiled a collection of frequently asked questions to get you started.

What Is Chemical Trading?

Chemical trading is a standard business practice involving the handling and repurposing of industrial chemicals. This sustainable practice can be used to account for excess chemicals that will otherwise be deemed as unavoidable hazardous waste. With the proper trade partners and logistics, chemical trading is an excellent way to repurpose chemicals and recoup losses.

Important Facts About the Trading of Chemicals

Chemical trading may seem simple in theory. However, this fast-paced and competitive industry can be challenging to navigate without the proper guidance. To get you started on the right track, Excel Industrial Group is here to explore important facts and the ins and outs of chemical material trading.

Prioritize Constant & Efficient Waste Management

Repurposing industrial waste is not something a business can do haphazardly. The chemical trading business relies on a well-developed plan to ensure proper handling of industrial waste disposal. Constant and efficient waste management is a critical investment to sustain smooth operations, prevent backups, remove waste, and boost profit.

How to Start Trading in Chemicals – The Basics

Venturing into the world of chemical trading requires proactive preparation. First, you will need to examine the volume and type of chemicals you intend to trade. A waste management team may be willing to pay you for extra chemicals you may have, even if they are contaminated or distressed.

Common Chemical Material Trading Products

We are well-versed in the most in-demand chemical trading products. The most commonly bought and traded chemicals include:

• Acids – Sulfuric, hydrochloric, etc.
• Solvents – Acetone, hexane, etc.
• Fuels – Motor oil, gasoline, etc.
• Alcohols – Ethanol, methanol, etc.
• Alkali – Potassium, hydroxide, etc.
• Glycols – Antifreeze, etc.
• Metals – Cobalt, nickel, etc.
• Polymers – PP, PET, etc.
• Monomers – Propylene, etc.

Find the Right Chemical Trading Partner

Chemical trading is a regulated practice, making it crucial to partner with a legitimate business that understands and adheres to the rules. The right partner will have valuable connections and working knowledge of the market. It’s also important to choose a partner equipped to handle the volume and type of chemicals you intend to trade.

Important Chemical Trading Terms

The chemical trading sector has its own language. There are several commonly used terms that you must get familiar with before branching into the industry, including:

• Incoterms – Freight on board (FOB), cost insurance freight (CIF), Cost and Freight (CFR)
• Payment terms – Direct payment (DP) and telegraphic transfer (TT)
• Port of loading/discharge names

Chemical Trading Coordination & Logistics

Depending on the volume and type of chemicals you’re seeking to trade, profit margins may be as little as 5%. To avoid spending more than you’re bring in, it’s essential to be strategic about your logistics planning. Proper packing and efficient trade route planning play a pivotal role in your total landed cost (TLC).

Tips for First-Time Chemical Traders

First-time chemical traders may be overwhelmed by the concept. To empower your latest business venture, we’re here to guide you. Before getting started, there are three key factors to consider, including:

• Get familiar with influential market factors
• Identify your company’s competitive edge
• Research and master import/export regulations

Influential Market Factors

Successful trading in chemicals requires understanding the market. When getting started in the chemical trading sector, it’s important to regularly assess the current trade volumes, prices, and logistics costs. These factors enable you to consider whether it would be more cost-effective for your partner to source a new supplier or to seek an alternative material.

What Sets You Apart

To get ahead of the competition, identify your competitive edge. We recommend asking yourself the following questions:

• Why should companies do business with you instead of a larger/international company?
• Do you offer a specialty, hard-to-source chemical?
• Are you offering surplus chemicals at a better rate than the competition?
• How convenient are the logistics of your transaction?

Always Do Your Research

The chemical trading sector is subject to many compliance standards and regulations. To streamline your transactions, always do your research. If the company looking to buy your excess chemicals is located in another country, do your homework on existing import and export guidelines for your particular industry.

Your Knowledgeable Chemical Trading Partner

Not all companies are equipped or experienced enough to provide proper disposal and storage, but Excel Industrial Group is. With a vast knowledge of industrial chemicals, we know which ones are likely to be repurposed or salvaged. Moreover, we excel in safe handling and proper disposal practices even if your excess chemicals cannot be traded.

Choose Excel Industrial Group

Excel Industrial Group sets the standard for effective chemical trading solutions. We ensure unused chemicals are processed in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and handled in the safest, most environmentally friendly manner. With an extensive network of resources and potential buyers, we maximize the value of chemicals that would otherwise be deemed hazardous waste.

Contact Us for High-Value Chemical Trading Solutions

If you’re interested in the chemical trading business, you’ve come to the right place. Excel Industrial Group is here to help you master your role as a chemical trader and supercharge your profit. To learn more about the benefits of chemical trading, contact our team today.

How Companies Can Reduce & Recycle for America Recycles Day

Industrial Recycling Management in Houston, TX

If your business has been looking for ways to become greener and more responsible, America Recycles Day is the perfect time. The industrial recycling specialists at Excel Industrial Group in Houston, TX celebrates America Recycles Day on November 15. The day is championed by the EPA to recognize the importance and impact of recycling. While recycling rates have come a long way over the years, we still have a long way to go. Back in 1960, less than 7% of waste was recycled, compared to almost a third of all waste today. Recycling and reuse accounts for more than 600,000 jobs in the United States. Companies across all industries can use America Recycles Day as a kick-off date to focus on recycling and reducing waste. Our team can help you create a commercial recycling or industrial chemical recycling plan, and we offer full-service waste disposal services. Learn more about America Recycles Day and get in touch with us for an estimate.

The Benefits of Recycling

While every American can benefit from recycling, businesses have an increased responsibility to do their part. Check out the following benefits of recycling:

• Reducing the amount of waste sent to incinerators and landfills
• Increasing economic security by using domestic materials
• Conserving natural resources, including water, timber, and minerals
• Preventing pollution by reducing the need to collect new, raw materials
• Supporting American manufacturing while preserving valuable resources
• Saving energy
• Helping create new jobs

How to Reduce & Recycle

While America Recycles Day is a great reminder to learn how to reduce and recycle industrial and chemical waste, your business should be doing so 365 days a year. The easiest way to do your part is to generate less waste. This may sound challenging, and it certainly can be. While you may only be able to reduce your waste by a small amount, the rest can be disposed of properly by practicing recycling when applicable. Many types of waste can be recycled, including paper, glass, plastic, mixed organics, and more. Your company can at least explore your options to celebrate America Recycles Day. The team at Excel Industrial Group is here to help you create a plan to reduce waste and recycle more.

About America Recycles Day

America Recycles Day dates back to 1997. The day was started by the National Recycling Coalition and has been managed by the Keep America Beautiful organization since 2009. Thousands of events are held across the country on November 15. The goal of America Recycles Day is to educate Americans on the importance of recycling. Excel Industrial Group encourages your business to participate in America Recycles Day this year and to find ways to reduce your waste while recycling as much as possible.

Request Your Industrial Recycling Quote

Our industrial waste specialists are here to help you manage your waste and find ways to reduce and recycle. We offer full-service waste management services for companies in Houston, TX. Contact us today to find out more and get your quote for our services.

Improper Waste Disposal Might Be Hurting Your Community & Company

Hazardous Waste Disposal in Houston, TX

As a business owner or operator, you likely have a lot on your plate, and proper waste disposal might not be very high on your list. Excel Industrial Group specializes in hazardous waste disposal for industrial and commercial companies in Houston, TX. We want to help you understand what happens to your commercial waste and how improper waste disposal could be hurting your company and community. Your business needs to be environmentally responsible to avoid penalties and stay green. Waste should be disposed of ethnically and legally. Knowing more about waste disposal can help your company implement better commercial waste disposal programs and policies to reduce your costs, improve your reputation, and be more responsible. Learn more about our industrial waste disposal services and get in touch with us for a quote.

Exploring the Waste Journey

Many business owners and operators don’t think much about the waste journey. That pen that you use to sign documents and write down ideas will eventually make its home in a landfill. Commercial waste is defined as any waste created during a commercial transaction or on a commercial property. Americans generate hundreds of millions of tons of waste each year. The first stop in the commercial waste journey is the waste transfer station. There, your waste gets sorted into the categories recyclable, non-recyclable, and hazardous. Workers salvage any recyclable items, and all the waste is loaded onto trucks or trains to arrive at a landfill, waste-to-energy plant, incinerator, or hazardous waste facility. The most common method of waste disposal is dumping waste into a landfill. The number of open landfills in the United States continues to reduce rapidly while waste generation increases every year. Incinerators are preferred in areas with limited land availability but are an expensive waste disposal method. Hazardous waste cannot be incinerated because it generates gas emissions that can negatively impact nearby wildlife and communities. Non-hazardous and organic waste can be used to generate electricity at waste-to-energy plants. Finally, hazardous waste is sent to hazardous waste facilities where it gets chemically treated or incinerated, altering its properties so it becomes safer to dispose of.

Creating Waste Initiatives

As a business, you are responsible for hazardous waste production. The best way to ensure your waste is disposed of properly and ethically is to work with a trusted waste management company like Excel Industrial Group. The EPA has strict guidelines in place to ensure your industrial waste is disposed of lawfully. Our waste specialists can perform a waste audit at your facility to determine your environmental impact and create a plan for proper industrial waste disposal.

The Negative Effects of Improper Waste Disposal

Dealing with waste disposal can be challenging for many managers. There are financial and ethical issues involved in disposing of industrial waste properly. Working with our team can help you combat the following adverse effects of improper waste disposal:

• Soil Contamination – Your glass, plastic, metal, and paper should end up at a recycling facility, but that doesn’t always happen. Contamination occurs when hazardous components are buried in the soil. Industries need to focus on solvents, petroleum hydrocarbons, heavy metals, lead, and pesticides.
• Water Contamination – Water often contains several dissolved chemicals and gases. In some cases, neighborhood ponds, fountains, lakes, and drinking water taps can become contaminated.
• Extreme Weather – Decomposing waste produces harmful greenhouse gases that can lead to climate change. The chemicals rise in the atmosphere and trap heat, causing storms and typhoons.
• Air Contamination – The ozone layer is still a problem, even if you don’t hear as much about it now as you used to. Chemicals are released by burning plastic at landfills, and methane gas and other chemicals also contribute to air contamination.
• Animal & Marine Life – Dumping garbage or raw or untreated sewage can harm animals or marine life that comes into contact with it. Millions of marine lives are taken each year from consuming fishing lines, plastic bottles, cigarette butts, Styrofoam, and more.
• Human Damage – Children who live near waste management facilities, waste disposal workers, and employees who have contact with waste materials are all at risk. Fires at landfills create landfill gases that can be responsible for cancer and respiratory and visibility problems.

Get Your Industrial Waste Management Quote

Your company needs a partner to manage your industrial waste. Excel Industrial Group offers proper hazardous waste disposal methods so you can focus on running your business and allow us to do the rest. Contact us to get a quote for our full-service waste management services in Houston.

What Type of Waste is Your Business Producing?

Common Wastewater Treatment Methods