Toxic wastes may be present in some bank owned homes sale and this possibility has prompted the California Department of Toxic Substances Control to develop the cheat sheet, entitled “Managing Hazardous Waste at Foreclosed Properties.”

The guidelines will help potential buyers of distressed properties how to dispose certain toxic waste or potentially hazardous materials that they may discover.

Some of the hazardous items that may be left behind by owners of bank owned homes sale are common household chemicals, electronic devices, aerosol cans, batteries and fluorescent.

It is illegal in the United States to dispose of these hazardous wastes in landfills, private or public drains and household trash bins because they can pose danger to people and the environment. Under the California law, improper disposal of hazardous waste may result in fines for a maximum of $25,000 daily per incident or imprisonment.

The state Department of Toxic Substances Control advises buyers of bank owned homes sale to use these hazardous items such as common household chemicals, old appliances and electronics. According to the agency, most household chemicals left behind by previous owners can still be used. Or, they can donate the household chemicals to businesses or charities.

Furthermore, buyers can use the appliances and electronics if they are still in working condition. Using them may prove to be cost effective than self-managing these hazardous items as wastes.

The department pointed out that homebuyers may qualify for Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator (CESG) if they generate less than 100 kilograms of potentially hazardous waste, about 27 gallons of liquid or a dry weight total of 220 pounds.

To qualify, homebuyers should get an Environmental Protection Identification number. Homebuyers have also the option to self-transport hazardous items to the nearest collection facility in their areas without registering as hazardous waste transporter.

Meanwhile, the department also recommended that homebuyers hire hazardous waste transporters. For homeowners who have a large of volume of hazardous waste and they think that they could not handle them, the department has a Registered Hazardous Waste Transporter Database.

The database is a list of for-hire hazardous waste transporter, registered and accredited by the department to haul dangerous items to a certified facility.

Homebuyers are required to submit an EPA ID number and a hazardous waste manifest to transporters.

Lastly, the department suggests that homeowners, especially those who invested in many bank owned homes sale that generate hazardous items, should consider becoming waste transporters themselves. They can register with the California Highway Patrol and follow requirements for packaging, shipping and marketing hazardous wastes.