The EPA requires that dioxin-bearing wastes be ______ destroyed or reduced before disposal in a secure hazardous waste landfill.

Dioxins are highly toxic compounds that are persistent in the environment and can accumulate in the food chain, leading to serious health risks for humans and wildlife. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established stringent requirements for the treatment of dioxin-bearing wastes to minimize these risks before the waste can be disposed of in secure hazardous waste landfills.

The requirement for destruction or reduction is set at 99.9999 percent, reflecting the extremely high level of safety necessary due to the extreme toxicity and long-lasting nature of dioxins. Achieving such a high destruction efficiency ensures that the remaining concentration of dioxins in the waste is negligible and poses no significant threat to human health or the environment when disposed of.

This stringent requirement aligns with the EPA's goal of protecting public health and the environment from harmful substances, especially for those like dioxins, which are known to have severe consequences even at very low exposure levels. The high reduction percentage is a precautionary measure that underscores the agency's commitment to preventing any potential risks associated with hazardous waste disposal.