Status report: solid waste management
Research results pertaining to potential health and environmental consequences of solid wastes produced by operating commercial-sized coal conversion plants were reviewed and evaluated. Some of these wastes contain toxic metals as well as mutagenic and carcinogenic organic compounds. The major problem, however, is the generation of solid waste leachates from the large volume of wastes, predominantly coal preparation wastes and gasifier ashes and slags. The most troublesome wastes appear to be those containing reduced forms of sulfur. When disposed of in landfills, these wastes will, with age and oxidation of sulfur, generate acidic leachates. These leachates will likely contain concentrations of toxic contaminants, such as Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, etc., that will overtax natural attenuation or dispersal mechanisms, resulting in their harmful accumulation in surface and groundwater. Some of the organic wastes, such as electrostatic precipitator tars and oily sludges from wastewater treatment, are potential health hazards relative to their exposure at the coal conversion facility and to their handling in route to disposal sites. Further health and environmental research is needed to identify the risks associated with exposure to the work force as well as exposure to the general population as a consequence of landfill disposal practices. Health research should concentrate on investigating the effects of inhalation, contact with skin, and ingestion of wastes. Environmental research should address questions regarding long-term disposal. The major research goal should be the prediction of solid waste leachate movement in subsurface environments.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA); USDOE Office of Energy Research, Washington, DC. Office of Health and Environmental Research
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-26
- OSTI ID:
- 5382835
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-8209202-1-Draft; ON: DE84004903
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: ORNL life sciences symposium, Gatlinburg, TN, USA, 1 Sep 1982
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
COAL GASIFICATION PLANTS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
SOLID WASTES
COAL LIQUEFACTION PLANTS
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
LEACHATES
WASTE MANAGEMENT
INFORMATION NEEDS
ASHES
CONTAMINATION
GROUND DISPOSAL
GROUND WATER
HEALTH HAZARDS
MUTAGEN SCREENING
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SANITARY LANDFILLS
SLUDGES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
TOXICITY
DISPERSIONS
HAZARDS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
MANAGEMENT
MIXTURES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POWER PLANTS
RESIDUES
SCREENING
SOLUTIONS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTES
WATER
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