Which of the following is a common contaminant found in hazardous waste?

Trichloroethylene is a common contaminant found in hazardous waste due to its widespread use as an industrial solvent and degreaser. It is a volatile organic compound (VOC) that can have significant health and environmental impacts, making it a substance of concern in hazardous waste management. Trichloroethylene can contaminate soil, groundwater, and air, posing risks to human health and ecosystems. Its ability to persist in the environment and undergo contamination processes makes it a frequent target for remediation efforts in sites where hazardous waste has been disposed of.

In contrast, while materials like gold, plastic, and glass can impact waste management, they are not categorized as hazardous contaminants in the same way that trichloroethylene is. Gold, for example, while valuable, is not typically considered a hazardous material, and both plastic and glass are often recycled. They don't carry the same level of toxicological risk or environmental concern associated with the release and presence of trichloroethylene in hazardous waste scenarios. Therefore, the identification of trichloroethylene underscores the importance of regulating specific hazardous substances to protect public health and the environment.