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SOURCES OF TOXIC COMPOUNDS IN HOUSEHOLD WASTEWATER
Citation:
Hathaway, S. SOURCES OF TOXIC COMPOUNDS IN HOUSEHOLD WASTEWATER. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/2-80/128 (NTIS PB81110942), 1980.
Description:
This report presents the results of a literature search into the occurrence of EPA's selected 129 priority pollutants in household wastewater. The study identifies consumer product categories and general types of products containing the toxic compounds used in and around the home which may eventually end up in the wastewater. The most frequently used products containing toxic chemicals are household cleaning agents and cosmetics. Solvents and heavy metals are the main ingredients of these products which are used on a daily basis. Deodorizers and disinfectants, containing naphthalene and phenol and chlorophenols, are also high on the frequency list. Pesticides, laundry products, paint products, polishes, and preservatives are wasted infrequently but are commonly wasted in large volumes. Thus, the fate of low level frequent discharges and high level infrequent discharges of toxic chemicals must be addressed in further research work with individual wastewater treatment systems or small community systems.