Impact/Purpose:

The primary objective of the Region 4 Science and Ecosystem Support Division (SESD) sampling investigations was to determine if selected facilities under the Mineral Processing Initiative were appropriately managing their wastestreams under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Authoritative sampling designs were used so that judgmental samples could be collected from the different phases of each wastestream (when practical) in an attempt to obtain representative samples. Laboratory analyses included: metals scans/Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) for metals, radiochemical analyses for alpha, beta and gamma scans as well as radium 226 and radium 228 isotopes, pH, fluoride, total suspended solids (TSS), and total organic carbon (TOC). The secondary objective of these investigations was to conduct sampling for the purposes of site assessment under CERCLA (Superfund).

Description:

The US-EPA Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) has implemented a national initiative for the mineral processing and mining industry. As part of the initiative, US-EPA Region 4 inspected and conducted sampling at nine of these facilities during this reporting period. During the facility inspections, wastestreams are identified and sample locations are selected to determine compliance under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Wastes generated at these facilities have the potential to be RCRA hazardous wastes. Specifically, some of the waste may exhibit the Toxicity Characteristic (TC) for metals and/or be corrosive.

Record Details: