The report gives results of laboratory and pilot studies of the treatability of wastewaters generated by the manufacture of the pesticides maneb, oryzalin, atrazine, and MSMA. Wastewaters were characterized for pesticide content, routine parameters, and toxicity to fish, algae, and activated sludge organisms. Biological treatability was evaluated in terms of ability of pilot activated sludge systems (1) to successfully operate on a mixture of municipal and pesticide wastewaters and (2) to remove the pesticide and other toxic materials. Ability of activated carbon to treat the wastewaters was determined in adsorption isotherm tests and in granular activated carbon column tests. Study results showed that atrazine, oryzalin, and maneb wastes could be treated successfully with activated carbon, although such treatment had high cost potential. Oryzalin waste disrupted biological treatment. Atrazine and MSMA waste did not disrupt biological treatment, but pesticide concentration was not reduced by biological treatment. Maneb concentrations were reduced by biological treatment, but additional work is needed to determine the fate of breakdown products from the biological treatment of maneb wastewaters.

"PB80-173941." Contract No. 68-02-2612; Program Element No. 188610; prepared for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Includes bibliographical references (pages 149-166).