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Regulatory Aspects Of Implementing Electrokinetic Remediation
Citation:
PARKER, R. A. Regulatory Aspects Of Implementing Electrokinetic Remediation. Chapter 28, K. R. Reddy and C. Cameselle (ed.), Electrochemical Remediaton Of Polluted Soils, Sediments, and Groundwater. John Wiley & Sons, Inc, Hoboken, NJ, , 589-606, (2009).
Impact/Purpose:
To address remediation of past waste management practices and to ensure that the hazardous wastes generated today do not become expensive and complex cleanup problems in the future.
Description:
A better understanding of the environmental impact of hazardous waste management practices has led to new environmental laws and a comprehensive regulatory program. This program is designed to address remediation of past waste management practices and to ensure that the hazardous wastes generated today do not become expensive and complex cleanup problems in the future. Given land disposal restrictions, trends against incineration, and restrictions on storage of hazardous wastes, alternative treatment methods such as electrokinetics are increasingly given consideration for treatment of hazardous waste site contamination. Electrokinetic remediation shows potential for treatment of hazardous wastes in ways that are more effective than traditional treatment methods. The various applications of electrokinetic technologies must adhere to the regulatory framework of environmental laws designed to assure the protection of human health, the natural environment, sensitive habitats, and endangered species. The most relevant laws dealing with contaminated sites in the United States are covered in this chapter as well as their relevance to electrochemical remediation technologies in general, and, specifically, electrokinetic remediation. It is important to note that in addition to federal laws covered in this chapter, state and local laws also apply to electrochemical remediation technologies deployed in the United States. The principal regulatory considerations for the deployment of electrokinetics at hazardous waste sites are CERCLA, and RCRA. CERCLA hazardous substances encompass RCRA hazardous wastes as well as other toxic pollutants regulated by the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and the Toxic Substances Control Act. Electrokinetic treatment is most likely to be part of a remedial action and must address the criteria associated with such cleanups. NOTE: CHAPTER 28 IS UNDER PART VIII (ECONOMIC AND REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS) IN BOOK.
