Why should hazardous wastes not be placed in an ordinary sanitary landfill?

Hazardous wastes should not be placed in an ordinary sanitary landfill primarily because they have the potential to contaminate the surrounding air, land, or soil. Special care is needed for hazardous wastes due to their toxic, reactive, corrosive, or ignitable properties. When these substances enter a landfill, they can leach into the groundwater or be released into the atmosphere, leading to significant environmental and public health risks.

Landfills are not designed to manage hazardous materials, which require specific containment and treatment methods to prevent their harmful effects. Regulations typically mandate that such materials must be treated or disposed of in facilities designed specifically for hazardous waste, thereby ensuring proper handling and minimizing the risks associated with exposure through air or water contamination.

The other options, while illustrating concerns regarding hazardous waste, do not encapsulate the core reason for the stringent regulations surrounding their disposal. The focus on environmental protection and public safety underscores the importance of dealing with hazardous wastes in a manner that avoids possible contamination of ecosystems and human habitats.