Given below are two statements. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below.
Statement I:When a hazardous waste has either a high or a low pH value, it must be treated for neutralization before discharge.
Statement II:Sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid are added to hazardous waste with a low pH value to neutralize it.
ABoth Statement I and Statement II are correct
BBoth Statement I and Statement II are incorrect
CStatement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect ✓ Correct
DStatement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct
Correct answer: (C) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
Explanation
A hazardous waste with a very high or very low pH must be neutralised before it is discharged.
Statement 1 is correct because extreme acidity or alkalinity is itself a corrosive hazard.
Statement 2 is wrong because a low pH acidic waste is neutralised by adding a base, not more acid.
Adding sulphuric or hydrochloric acid to an already acidic waste would only make it more acidic.
Lime, caustic soda or other alkalis are used to raise the pH of an acidic waste toward neutral.
A highly alkaline waste, by contrast, is neutralised by adding a measured amount of acid.
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