Investigation of Separation, Treatment, and Recycling Options for Hazardous Paint Blast Media Waste.
Abstract
U.S. Army depot depaint operations generate over 4 million kg per year of contaminated paint blast media wastes. A variety of abrasive blast media are used. Spent blast media wastes are often determined to be hazardous when tested for characteristic metals using Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) Method 1311. Disposal of contaminated blast media is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency as well as state and local authorities. Because environmentally sound disposal of hazardous waste is very expensive, the Army could significantly benefit from cost-effective treatment processes that would render paint blast media wastes nonhazardous, or reduce waste bulk by isolating and disposing separately of hazardous components. The objective of this work was to investigate technologies that might significantly mitigate this Army hazardous waste disposal problem. Most of the technologies investigated either failed to meet acceptable TCLP levels for hazardous metals content, or failed to meet Army disposal requirements. However, based on a review of several commercially available services, it is recommended that Army depot depaint operations consider processing hazardous blast media waste through properly regulated contractors that offer safe, effective, and economical stabilization, fixation, and recycling technologies. Due consideration should include an appropriate legal review of liability and regulatory issues.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA310861
Entities
People
- Jeffrey H. Boy
- Keturah A. Reinbold
- Timothy D. Race
Organizations
- Construction Engineering Research Laboratory