Garbage pick-up in one Williamson County neighborhood turned into a hazardous situation Monday.

The garbage collector was rushed to the hospital when he was exposed to dangerous chemicals. His condition is currently unknown.

This is raising concerns about what residents are putting in the trash.

"It's not every day you see guys in hazmat suits on your street," said Eulysses Schussler, a Leander Resident. "As a homeowner, I would feel really bad if I was the one who threw that in the trash," said Schussler.

Neighbors looked-on as crews investigated the suspicious chemical that sent the garbage collector to the hospital.

"It was determined we had a strong acid that was inside the trash truck. As they were compressing it, it busted the container," said Randle Blesing, Cedar Park Fire Department.

Someone called 911 when the garbage collector complained of respiratory problems. He was taken to the hospital by ambulance.

Though the exact cause is still being investigated, officials believe the culprit was a household item, probably a type of acid possibly used in swimming pools or as a cleaning product.

"I heard it was muriatic acid, which is something I have in my garage," said Schussler.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Americans generate 1.6 million tons of household hazardous waste per year.

The average home alone at any one time can accumulate as much as 100 pounds of household hazardous waste.

A few examples are motor oil, oil-based paint, car batteries, gasoline and pesticides.

"The most important thing people need to remember is to try to take those things to a local facility that is equipped to handle those kinds of materials," said Mike Lindner, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. "It's just better overall for the environment."

Officials with TCEQ encourage people to look at labels before throwing items in the trash.

It's a move that can protect your neighbors and your environment.