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Title: Management practices for used treated wood. Final report

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:93566
 [1]
  1. Tetra Tech, Inc., Lafayette, CA (United States)

Pentachlorophenol, creosote, and other chemicals are used to preserve poles, crossarms, and railroad ties for the electric, telecommunications, and railroad industries. Each year, millions of pieces of treated wood are retired. This report provides information on current and potential options for management of used treated wood. Researchers conducted a literature search to acquire information on preservatives and Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure data. They conducted a telephone survey of selected state agencies, landfill and incinerator/cogeneration operations, and utilities to obtain information on costs, availability of landfill disposal options, and restrictions associated with land disposal of treated wood. Simulations to evaluate the effects of landfill disposal on groundwater using EPRI`s MYGRT{trademark} analytical transport model were conducted. Current utility and railroad industry management practices for treated wood include primary reuse, disposal in nonhazardous landfills, and cogeneration. The most likely future options are increased cogeneration, with continued reuse and disposal in landfills.

Research Organization:
Electric Power Research Inst. (EPRI), Palo Alto, CA (United States); Tetra Tech, Inc., Lafayette, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States)
OSTI ID:
93566
Report Number(s):
EPRI-TR-104966
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: Jun 1995
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English