The true statement about physical and chemical treatments of hazardous waste is A) Physical treatment changes the physical state of hazardous waste, while chemical treatment changes the waste into a different, less harmful substance.
Physical treatment involves processes that change the physical properties of the hazardous waste, such as changing its size, shape, or phase (solid, liquid, or gas). Examples of physical treatment include sedimentation, filtration, and evaporation.
Chemical treatment involves processes that change the chemical properties of the hazardous waste, such as neutralization or oxidation. The goal of chemical treatment is to convert the hazardous waste into a less harmful substance or to make it easier to handle and dispose of safely.
C is not true because the effectiveness of physical versus chemical treatment will depend on the specific nature of the hazardous waste and the treatment methods used.
D is also not true because the purpose of physical and chemical treatments is to reduce the hazards associated with hazardous waste, not to make it more dangerous.