The control and management of hazardous wastes are truly among the most important challenges of our times. Environmental engineers play crucial roles in reducing the amount of hazardous substances produced, treating hazardous wastes to reduce their toxicity, and applying sound engineering controls to reduce or eliminate exposures to these wastes. Engineers design the facilities that generate the chemicals that, under the wrong circumstances, become hazards. The engineers also design and operate the containment and treatment facilities to deal with the wastes after they have been released, and are frequently called upon to address these wastes once they are in the environment.

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