What is the purpose of secondary containment in hazardous waste storage?

• A. To contain leaks or spills from primary containers and prevent environmental release.
• B. To decorate the storage area.
• C. To allow uncontrolled release.
• D. To speed up disposal.

Answer: (A)

Secondary containment is designed to prevent environmental release by catching leaks or spills from primary containers. If a storage container cracks, leaks, or overfills, the secondary layer—such as a lined tray, concrete sump, or double-walled basin—holds the hazardous waste and keeps it from reaching soil, surface water, or groundwater. This gives responders time to detect the release and clean it up, reducing risks to people and the environment and helping meet regulatory requirements that require spill containment for hazardous waste storage. It’s not about decoration, it doesn’t allow an uncontrolled release, and it isn’t intended to speed up disposal.