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Title: Incinerator ash bill supported by ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers)

Journal Article · · JAPCA, the International Journal of Air Pollution Control and Hazardous Waste Management; (USA)
OSTI ID:7250716

Municipal waste combustion facilities must be retained as an option for solving this nation's total solid waste management problems, John W. Norton, representing the Solid Waste Processing Division of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), told the House Subcommittee on Transportation and Hazardous Materials. Norton testified on H.R. 2162, the Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Act of 1989. The bill would ensure environmentally sound disposal of incinerator ash residues while improving public confidence in the disposal of municipal waste through combustion. Although agreeing that the EPA should issue guidelines removing certain items (such as batteries) from the trash to be burned, Norton urged additional research to determine the impact of such actions. He cautioned that toxic components such as heavy metals are pervasive in wastes and, therefore, it is unlikely that removal of a few items will significantly affect the quality of either ash or air emissions. We believe recycling and reuse of municipal solid waste incinerator ash offers great promise to reduce the need for disposal in landfills, testified Norton. He urged that the bill authorize a substantial research program on ash recycling and reuse at EPA.

OSTI ID:
7250716
Journal Information:
JAPCA, the International Journal of Air Pollution Control and Hazardous Waste Management; (USA), Vol. 39:8; ISSN 0894-0630
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English