. . . Is finding solutions to problems in the environment
Hazardous waste is any solid, liquid, or gaseous waste material that may pose substantial hazards to human health and the environment if improperly treated, stored, transported, disposed of, or otherwise managed. Every industrial country in the world has had problems with managing hazardous wastes. The need for very expensive cleanup operations has been created by the improper management of wastes in the past. Efforts are under way internationally to remedy past problems caused by hazardous waste and prevent the occurrence of other problems in the future by way of source reduction, or pollution prevention-the elimination of hazardous wastes at the source; recycling; treatment; and disposal of hazardous wastes.

. . . Offers a range of opportunities for chemists
A wide range of careers for chemists are available in the hazardous waste management industry. Chemists make up an integral part of the team of scientists involved in hazardous waste management. They identify the presence of chemical pollutants in the air, water, and soil. Chemists also help design techniques that reduce pollution and remediate problems causes by hazardous waste.

Tom Gran began his career at OHM Corporation, one of the country's largest waste handlers, 20 years ago. He says, "Hazardous waste management was not an established field then. As the area evolved, it became clear that finding solutions to environmental problems was going to require rigorous scientific investigation. "When regulations began to come in, people looked to chemists to bring them up to speed." Opportunities for chemists have been growing ever since.

"In this business, you have to think fast," says Paul Shimek, process chemist with Recontek, Inc.-a Wisconsin-based zero-discharge hazardous waste company. Zero discharge means that when Recontek takes in sludges-mainly from industrial manufacturing processes-it must clean them or make a product out of their components. "We cannot send anything to a landfill," says Shimek.

Recontek is just one example of a type of company chemists work for in hazardous waste management. Chemists are employed by academia, government, chemical companies, and hazardous waste management companies.

Chemists in this field must know the government's rules and regulations for handling and disposing of hazardous materials as well as be familiar with hazardous materials themselves. Knowledge of biology and the ability to work with biologists to determine the toxicological and potential carcinogenic effects of a hazardous material are also parts of the job.

. . . Is a service-oriented industry
"It's anything but a nine-to-five job," says Jean Engle, director of the analytical laboratory at Clean Harbors, a company that specializes in remediating (cleaning up) sites contaminated with hazardous waste. The company is often called to respond to accidental discharge of hazardous wastes. "Spills and emergencies do not always happen during the work day. We are a very service-oriented industry." She adds, "Some of our people are on call 24 hours a day for clients who may need immediate testing of a material."

. . . Offers advancement potential
In this field, chemists generally start out testing and analyzing materials. A typical entry-level job involves field testing or field sampling at a remediation site or working for one of the many contract analytical labs across the country that specialize in hazardous materials analysis.

Entry-level positions generally require only a bachelor's degree in chemistry, and people typically stay with an entry-level job one to two years before advancing, either within the company or to another firm. On-the-job experience is considered the best training. Only 10% of chemists in the field have doctorates. "This is a far less structured field than the academic world in terms of where a degree positions you," says Marilyn Hoyt, manager of atmosphere and source chemistry at ENSR, a hazardous waste consulting and remediation firm.

Gran says that though more managers at his company come from a chemical engineering background rather than a pure chemistry background, chemists with a bachelor's degree eventually manage large analytical labs or are responsible for developing remediation programs and overseeing the people who perform the cleanup work. Whether a chemist in this field remains in the lab or moves into a management-track position is considered more a question of temperament and personal career goals than training.

This fast-paced line of work has become a field that is challenging as well as profitable and dynamic. The job outlook is good for those who are career-oriented and are seeking opportunities for advancement within.

Copyright 1993, 1997 American Chemical Society

WORK DESCRIPTION
Chemists generally work in a lab or the field testing the environment using analytical chemistry skills to determine the composition of materials deemed to be hazardous. Teamwork is a key element. Biologists, toxicologists, and water and soil chemists work together evaluating hazardous wastes to develop strategies for disposal or cleanup.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Most chemists in hazardous waste management are bench chemists who do instrumental analysis of materials in a lab. In academic environments, chemists research and develop products that clean up hazardous wastes. Improvements in equipment used in the field have minimized the tedious and mundane work chemists have had to do in the past and now allow them to do more trace analytical work.

PLACES OF EMPLOYMENT
Employers run the gamut from academia to government and from chemical companies to firms that specialize in cleaning up hazardous waste. Independent analytical labs are an excellent place to learn about the instrumentation and methods used in the field. These labs previously had attracted only entry-level chemists; today, with many chemists becoming more career-oriented, labs are offering good opportunities for advancement.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Hazardous waste chemists should have an interest in the environment, have an aptitude for detail and be flexible to keep up with constantly changing government regulations. The ability to work in teams is vital. Good communication skills are necessary to move into management or business-oriented positions.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING
A bachelor's or master's degree in chemistry is required to enter the field of hazardous waste management. Few Ph.D. chemists are hired since their education is often deemed too theoretical or focused for the broad base of skills needed in hazardous waste management. A strong base in analytical, organic, and inorganic chemistry is recommended. Knowledge of geology, areas of environmental chemistry-such as soil or water chemistry, and the chemistry involved in biodegradation make candidates for employment more attractive to potential employers. Other benefical skills for chemists in this field are math ability and computer training.

JOB OUTLOOK
Today, the job outlook in hazardous waste management is considered good; opportunities for chemists are plentiful, particularly as the volume of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations grows. Hazardous waste companies can be found nationwide, but there are some areas of the country where opportunities are better, including the south and Texas, where the nation's petrochemical makers are concentrated. Western states, such as Utah, are becoming centers for hazardous waste disposal and offer better employment opportunities.

SALARY RANGE
The starting salary for a chemist with a bachelor's degree is in the $20,000-per-year range; master's degree holders can expect to start in the $30,000-per-year range; and Ph.D. holders, when hired, earn salary in the upper $40,000-per-year range.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information, including listings of companies involved in hazardous waste management, please write to the following organizations:
Environmental Technology Council
734 15th Street, N.W., Suite #720
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 783-0870

Solid Waste Association of North America
P.O. Box 7219
Silver Spring, MD 20917-7219
(301) 585-2898

WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW
To find out if you would enjoy working in this field, consider a summer internship which is available at most hazardous waste and chemical companies. Courses in the environmental sciences as well as the basic chemical sciences used in the field are also good ways to see if this is a discipline for which you are well suited.

American Chemical Society, Education Division, 1155 Sixteenth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036; (202) 452-2113.