Information on Disposal Practices of Generators of Small Quantities of Hazardous Wastes

Gao ID: RCED-83-200 September 28, 1983

In response to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the problems caused by the disposal of hazardous waste into solid waste landfills by small-quantity generators of such waste.

GAO found that: (1) although federal grants for small-quantity waste generator programs were eliminated in fiscal year 1982, officials in three of the four states visited by GAO indicated that they were able to increase state funding or make other program adjustments necessary to limit the impact on their programs; (2) most states have added additional restrictions to the federal regulations on the disposal of hazardous waste in solid waste landfills; (3) sewer disposal of hazardous waste at small-quantity generators may be a potential problem; (4) the presence of hazardous waste in solid waste landfills has resulted in few documented occupational safety or health problems' being reported; and (5) two of the four states visited by GAO were experiencing ground water contamination at some of their solid waste landfills.



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