Which ballast must be disposed of in a hazardous waste container?

• A. Ballasts 1979 or older are not hazardous
• B. All ballasts are hazardous
• C. Ballasts 1979 or older are considered hazardous waste and must be disposed of in a hazardous waste container
• D. Ballasts manufactured after 1990 are always hazardous

Answer: (C)

Older fluorescent ballast components often contained PCBs, which are regulated as hazardous waste. Ballasts manufactured in or before 1979/1979 or older commonly include PCB-containing capacitors, and PCBs pose serious environmental and health risks. Because of that, these ballasts must be disposed of in a hazardous waste container to prevent any release of PCBs. Ballasts made after that period usually do not contain PCBs, so they aren’t automatically hazardous, though it’s wise to verify with local regulations or the waste management authority. So the correct statement reflects the historical fact that older ballasts are considered hazardous and require special disposal.