Abstract |
The Hazardous Waste Engineering Research Laboratory is currently supporting a number of research projects to develop innovative chemical and biological systems capable of detoxifying hazardous wastes. Recent emphasis has been on the destruction of chlorinated dioxins, chlorinated dibenzofurans, polychlorinated biphenyls, and related organic compounds in waste liquids and in polluted soils. Using a chemical reagent based upon the reaction of an alkaline metal hydroxide and a polyethylene glycol, over 17,000 gallons of industrial wastes, containing chlorinated dioxins and dibenzofurans at concentrations varying from 400 to 84,000 ppm, were decontaminated to below detection levels (1 ppb in the case of the tetra-dioxins). Bioassay tests have shown that the byproducts produced from the reaction do not bioaccumulate or bioconcentrate, they do not cause mutagenicity, nor are they toxic to aquatic organisms or mammals. The equipment used for these tests is now being modified for use on contaminated soils. |