Alternatives for the Disposal and Cleanup of Hazardous Waste

Disposal of hazardous waste by land, injection into deep wells, and high temperature burning are discussed. Land disposal is the most commonly used method of disposing of hazardous substances because it is the least expensive method. It is limited by the amount of land available for disposal purposes and safety considerations such as proximity to drinking water sources. Deep well disposal is the subsurface injection of liquid wastes into permeable rock or other geological formations below potable groundwater supplies or other natural resources at depths ranging from less than 1000 to over 8000 feet. It requires a strong commitment by Government and industry to establish strict controls over the drilling technology used, monitor the well in the drilling and operating phases, and limit the types of substances that can be injected. The burning of hazardous wastes in incinerators may be another solution to the disposal problem. However, it is expensive and may not be energy efficient. Disposal facilities providing services on a regional or area-wide basis as an alternative to individual company on-site facilities offer economic and environmental advantages in the development of waste facilities. In 1979, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revised its research strategy to reemphasize hazardous waste identification, uncontrolled waste site problems, hazardous waste technology, hazardous waste risk assessment, energy and mineral wastes, and non-hazardous wastes. It continues to consolidate information on closed and abandoned sites, but has yet to complete the type of national inventory and site assessment program that has been recommended. The recently published EPA hazardous waste regulations deal largely with prescribed recordkeeping and reporting requirements and good management practices, which are not highly technical. More specific standards will be promulgated in phases II and III of the regulations. Phase II will be issued in the fall of 1980, but phase III will not be completed for several years.