Solid and Hazardous Waste/ Environmental Hazards and Human Health

Solid and Hazardous Waste/ Environmental Hazards and Human HealthChapter 21Chapter 17Case Study: E-WasteWhat do E-wastes consist of?Where do most e-waste end up? What % are recyclable?Name 3 metals and 4 toxic/hazardous pollutants that e-waste is composed ofhow are dioxins released into the environment?What is the goal of the International Basel Convention? Is it effective? Why or why not?What is the cradle-to-grave approach? Who is utilizing it?What type of countries is much of this E-waste shipped/smuggled to?

What Are Solid and Hazardous Wastes?Solid Waste- any unwanted/discarded material produced that is NOT a liquid or Gas

Two Categories:Industrial solid wasteMunicipal solid waste (MSW)

Hazardous/Toxic waste- any poisonous, dangerously chemically reactive, corrosive, or flammable wasteThreatens human health or the environmentSolid Waste: IndustrialProduced by MinesFarmsIndustries

Produced in the supplying of goods and servicesSource Examples:Electric power generation

Agriculture

Food production

Metal manufacturingFerrous and non-ferrous

Plastic & Resin manufacturing

Pulp/paper industrySource: EPAIndustrial Waste

Non-Ferrous MetalNon-Ferrous- alloy metals not containing [appreciable amounts of] Iron (Fe)

Examples: Aluminum, copper, lead, nickel, tin, titanium, zinc, gold, silver, platinum. etc

Non-Ferrous MetalsDesirable Properties:Light weightHigh conductivityNon-magneticResistance to corrosion

Environmental/health issuesRecycling NFM: exposure hazardsSkin disordersRespiratory issuesPoisoningExtraction of:Causes pollutionPollution agents vary for different metalsSulfur dioxideParticulatesFluoride constituentsMunicipal Solid Waste (MSW)Aka- garbage/trash

Produced by homes & workplaces Other than factories (remember- thats Industrial!)

Examples:Paper/cardboardFood wastesCans, bottlesPlasticsE-Wastes (Case study!!!)

Where does it go?MSW in developed countriesUsually buried in landfills or burned in incinerators

MSW in less-developed countriesUsually ends up in open dumps where people rummage and re-use (sustainable? Or hazardous?)

Rapidly industrializing countries (like China)Economic growth=massive production=mountains of MSWResult: pollution of air, water and soil

Hazardous/Toxic WasteSolid and non-solid

Two largest classes:Organic compoundsToxic heavy metals

Radioactive waste

Hazardous wastes: examplesIndustrial solvents

Hospital medical wastes

Car batteries (lead and acids)

Household products

Dry-cell batteries (mercury and cadmium)

Incinerator ash

Hazardous Waste: Organic CompoundsSolventsUsed to dissolve, thin/mix, or clean substances or produce other chemicals3 typesHydrocarbonOxygenatedHalogenated PesticidesPersistent organic pesticides (POPs) like DDTPolychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB)- now bannedMixture of 209 non-naturally occurring chlorine compounds

PCBs- bad stuffConsidered a type of POP

Colorless to light yellowOily liquid or waxy solidTasteless and odorless

Health concerns- Endocrine disruptors

Production stopped in US 1977Used in a wide variety of products:Insulation, fillers, plasticizers, pesticides to name a few

ExposurePersisting in old productsAir, water, soilBioaccumulation (fat soluble)

DioxinsAll contain C, H, O, and ClExample: TCDD- C12H4Cl4O2

POP, endocrine disruptorsInclude many PCBs

Some Major Sources: Waste incinerationChlorine bleachingCopper smelting

Agent Orange herbicide ingredientUsed as defoliant in Vietnam War

Dioxin ExposureExtremely widespreadEveryone has some level in the body

Air, water, foodBreathing contaminated air (incineration effect)Bio accumulated (breast milk, fatty animal products)Handling pesticides

Hazardous waste: Toxic Heavy MetalsNon-biodegradableLead (Pb)Naturally occurring: rocks, soilNon-natural production: burning fossil fuelsUses: batteries, pipes, ammunition, construction materialsHealth concerns: carcinogenic, neurotoxinArsenic (As)Rare in the environment- usually bonded with O or ClBy-product in smelting (copper, cobalt, lead)Use: wood preservative, pesticides, solders and medicineHealth concerns: poison, neurotoxin, carcinogenHazardous waste: Toxic Heavy Metals (Contd)Mercury (Hg)Naturally occurring elementFound in crude oil

Natural release into atmosphere via:Rocks, soil, volcanoes, ocean vaporization

Anthropogenic release:Coal-burning, waste incinerators, cement kilnsRain-wash deposits atmospheric form to soil and water

Combines with other elementsForming even more toxic compoundsMethylmercury (organic)- converted by bacteriaLargely bio-accumulated in aquatic environments

MercuryHumans exposed in 3 waysInhalation:Vaporized or inorganic particulate (HgS, HgCl2)ConsumptionHighly contaminated FISHHigh Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)Health risksNeurotoxin- brain damageImmune system harm

Commercial UsesThermometers, mirror coatings, electrical equipment, gold/silver extraction

Dental fillings, pharmaceuticals, batteries

Radioactive WasteProduced by nuclear power plants/ nuclear weapons facilities

Waste must be STORED For 10,000-240,000 years depending on isotopesRadioactive decayNo scientifically nor politically acceptable ways to safely isolate/dispose

Health Hazard: Carcinogens

Examples: Uranium (weakly toxic)Radon (highly toxic)Toxic Chemicals Cause temporary or permanent harm/death3 major types:Carcinogen- causing cancerUp to 10-40 year time lapse of detectionMutagens-cause/increase frequency of mutationsChanges in DNAMany lead to cancerTeratogens- cause birth defects to fetus/embryoEthyl alcohol, angel dust, benzene, formaldehyde5 EPA-listed toxic substancesIn terms of human health:PCBsArsenicPVCs (plastics)MercuryLead

Video Assignment to come with these ChemicalsCoals Toxic SludgeRead Article in groups

Find 4 opinions2 on the Pro-coal ash regulation2 on the anti-coal ash regulationFind factual backing for each opinion within the articleBe prepared to defend a side- even the one you do not agree withHomeworkFind examples of each organic solvent we discussedCompare/contrast their use, hazards, persistence, and effect on the environment

HydrocarbonOxygenatedHalogenated

U.S and Solid WasteLeader in total solid waste production (Miller 2012)1/3 of worlds solid wasteMostly from mining (76%)Agriculture (13%)Industry (9.5%)MSW (1.5%)Not-so-fun-fact:For every 0.5 kg of electronic product, ~3600 kg of solid & liquid waste were created in manufacturing it

The Path of Trash

How do we deal with solid waste?2 approaches:Waste Management: attempt to reduce environmental harm without reducing amount of waste producedWaste Reduction: Produce less waste and pollutionWaste produced can be potential resources

No single solution- need integrated waste managementVariety of coordinated strategiesDisposal and reductionScientist-Suggested Priority List

The Three RsRe-DUCEConsume lessLive simpler lifestylesRe-USEAvoid the trashcanRe-CYCLEReprocess material for other uses

First 2 (reduce, reuse) are environmentally preferred-input/prevention methods

6 Strategies to ReduceDevelop products that require less material and energyCars weigh 25% less now than 1960

Develop reusable & recyclable productsAlso saves producer costs

Eliminate/reduce unnecessary packing

Fee-per-bag waste collection systemCharge for amount of waste, but free pick-up

Cradle-to-Grave responsibility laws

Ride a bike, take a busReduce vehicle manufacturing wasteHave students pair and discuss and try to come up with solutions before they are exposed to them29Reuse.. Up-Cycle!Many ways to make use of old itemsUse them for the same purpose againUse them for a different purpose

Recycling2 types of recyclingClosed-Loop (Primary): recycled into the same productOpen-Loop (Secondary): recycled into different productsSometimes considered downgrading

MurfsMRF- materials recovery facilitiesMixed waste sent to sorting facilitySeparate recyclables via machines or workersRecovered valuables sent to manufacturerscombustible waste used to power facility via burning

Downside:Expensive to build, operate, and maintainIf not operated properly-produce significant pollutionEncourages waste production

Source SeparationMakes more sense (economically & environmentally) to sort waste at home or business

Pay-as-you-throw (PAUT): fee per bag collectionDoes not charge for separated recyclablesEncourages recycling

Some U.S. cities institute such programs

How would you vote on such a program in your community?CompostingUses decomposing bacteria to breakdown biodegradable organic waste in the presence of O2

Resulting material added to soilSupplies plant nutrientsSlows soil erosionRetains waterhttp://eartheasy.com/grow_compost.html

Recycling paperRelatively easy to doRequires removal of ink, glue, and coatingReconvert paper to pulp

Uses 64% less energy than and produces less pollution thank making new paperPlus- no trees are cut down

Paper production and ChlorineCl and Cl compounds used to bleach 40% paper producedCorrosive to processing equipmentHazardous for workersHarmful to environment

Solution: alternative chemicalsH2O2 (hydrogen peroxide)O2

Recycling PlasticsPlastics consist of large polymers: resinsOrganic molecules linked to organic molecules Made mostly from oil and natural gas 46 different types of plasticsMostly petrochemicals (petroleum-based)BioplasticsMade from corn, soy, sugarcane, switchgrass, etc

Types of PlasticsCloser Look at Your Plastic#1- PET (PETE)- Easily recycled

#2- Polyvynyl chloride (PVC)- ToxicityChlorine compounds make it subject to release of dioxinsRequires many chemical additives to producePhthalates not chemically bonded and leach outHow to sort your recyclingSeparate into:Compost: no meats, no perennial weeds, no diseased plantsPlasticsGlassMetalsPaper/cardboard: (can also be used for compost)

Recyclable material must have a certain degree of sanitationNuclear Power Plants and Radioactive Wastes(see ch. 15-5)Nuclear Power PlantsEnergy generated through nuclear fission reactionFuel source: uranium oreNuclear splitting of atoms produces heat to boil waterWater to steam, which turns generator electricitySolid waste produced:From pre-op mining of uraniumRadioactive depleted/spent fuel rodsRadioactive reactors needed to be dismantled

Fig. 15-20a, p. 387Small amounts of radioactive gasesUranium fuel input (reactor core)Containment shellWaste heatControl rodsHeat exchangerSteamTurbineGeneratorHot coolantUseful electrical energy about 25%Hot water outputCoolantModeratorCool water inputWaste heatShieldingPressure vesselCoolant passageWaterCondenserPeriodic removal and storage of radioactive wastes and spent fuel assembliesPeriodic removal and storage of radioactive liquid wastesWater source (river, lake, ocean)PumpPumpPumpPumpFigure 15.20: Science. This water-cooled nuclear power plant, with a pressurized water reactor, pumps water under high pressure into its core where nuclear fission takes place. It produces huge quantities of heat that is used to convert the water to steam, which spins a turbine that generates electricity. Some nuclear plants withdraw the water they use from a nearby source such as a river and return the heated water to that source, as shown here. Other nuclear plants transfer the waste heat from the intensely hot water to the atmosphere by using one or more gigantic cooling towers, as shown in the inset photo of the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (USA). There, a serious accident in 1979 almost caused a meltdown of the plants reactor. Question: How do you think the heated water returned to a body of water affects that aquatic ecosystem?Indirect Pollution from Nuclear PowerNuclear Power Plants do not emit greenhouse gas emissions

Mining of uranium and its transport require the use of fossil-fuel burning machineryHence, this process releases greenhouse gas emissionsWe Do: Half-Life MathThe amount of time needed for one-half of the nuclei in a given quantity of aradioisotope to decay and emit their radiation to form a different isotope.

Decay continues, often producing a series ofdifferent radioisotopes, until a stable, nonradioactive isotope is formed.

The half-life estimates how long a sample ofradioactive isotope must be stored in a safe container before it decays to a safe level and can be released into the environment.

A general rule is that such decay to a safe leveltakes about 10 half-lives.

Essential QuestionHow is energy conserved though reuse? BellringerIdentify 1 advantage and 1 disadvantage of waste incineration

Compare how MSW is buried in more-developed countries vs. less-developed countries

Identify 2 plants that can be utilized for phytoremediation and describe how each detoxifies soil

What are 2 advantages and 2 disadvantages for using surface impoundments to deal with liquid hazardous waste?Burning MSWWaste-to-energy incinerators (see figure on next slide)600 globally- mostly in BritainNot many in U.S do to social and economic oppositionAdvantages:Reduce trash volumeProduce energyConcentrate hazardous material into ash for burialSale of energy reduces cost

Disadvantages:Expensive to buildProduce hazardous wasteEmits some CO2 and air pollutantsEncourages waste production

Burying MSW- Landfills54% of MSW in US2 types:Open dumpsRare in more-developed countriesFields or holes in the groundTrash deposited, sometimes burnedSanitary LandfillsWaste spread out in thin layersCovered daily with layer of clay or plastic foamReduces leakage of contaminated waterReduces odor, vermin, fire riskSide Note!Quick-Chem factAnaerobic waste decomposition produces methane gas

Describe how landfills can effect climate change

Eventually, all landfills leak contaminated wasteHow do we deal with hazardous waste?Integrated Management:Produce LESS toxic materialReuse or recycle itSafely store it

Cell Phones and GorillasColtan Mining in the African CongoMetallic ore used in cellphone- produces electrical charge

Home to endangered gorillas

Zoo cell phone recycling programs

Watch livescience.com green minuteE-waste and hazardous disposalE-waste recycling operations in less-developed countriesEmploy many childrenExposed to toxic chemicals70% of worlds e-waste ends up in China

Environmental and health conscious smelters meet strict standardsCanada and European UnionNone in USExpensive- thus much of e-waste in EU smuggled to less developed countriesDetoxifying Hazardous WastePhysical Detox:Distillation using resin or charcoal to filter out harmful solidsEncapsulated in glass, cement, or ceramicsSecurely storedChemical Detox:Converting toxic chemicals to non-toxic or less toxicCyclodextrin- sugar made from cornstarchCurrently being tested for useDetoxifying Waste Hazardous (Continued)NanomagnetsRemoves various pollutants from waterExample: chitosan-coated nanoparticlesRemoves oil and organic pollutants

Biological Detox:Bioremediation- uses microrganisms and enzymes to destroy targeted toxic compoundsPhytoremediation- uses plants to absorb, filter, and remove contaminants from polluted soilVarious plants considered pollution spongesBiological detox is very slow working, yet inexpensive

Detoxifying Hazardous Waste (Continued)Plasma Arc TorchPlasma- electrically conductive ionized gasHotter than surface of sun!Similar to a welding torchCan break down toxic material at very high tempsDecomposes liqu/solid toxic waste into CO, CO2, and H2 gasesProduces no toxic ash

Only issue is its very expensive and does produce CO, CO2, and potentially Cl gas

We Can Store Some Forms of Hazardous MaterialDeep-well disposal- liquid toxic wastes pumped through a pipe far beneath aquiferMost common form of burialTheoretically sound method- absorbs into porous rockReality: limited # of sites and space, leakage possible

Surface ImpoundmentsLined, open ponds, pits, or lagoonsWater evaporates, waste settles and concentratesThis approach has several susceptible downfallsCurrently, burial is the most widely used method in US and most other countriesSurface Impoundment in Niagara Falls, New York

Fig. 21-21, p. 577Figure 21.21: This surface impoundment for storing liquid hazardous wastes is located in Niagara Falls, New York (USA). Such sites can pollute the air and nearby ground water and surface water.63

Secure Hazardous Waste Storage landfillsSome toxic materials cannot be destroyed, detoxified, or safely buriedSuch material should be contained into secure metal drumsCan be placed above or below groundShould be accessible for regular inspection

Least used methodvery expensiveSolutions: Secure Hazardous Waste Landfill

Fig. 21-23, p. 577

Figure 21.23: Solutions. This diagram shows how hazardous wastes can be isolated and stored in a secure hazardous waste landfill.66Hazardous Waste Regulation in the USOnly 5% of hazardous waste is regulated in the USResource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA-1976)EPA sets standards for certain types of hazardous wasteIssues permits, must use cradle-to-grave system

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)Aka- Superfund ActI.D hazardous waste contamination sitesPlace on National Priorities List and clean up2010- 1,300 sites; 340 cleaned upHow Do We Transition to a Sustainable, Low-Waste Society?Grassroots Action:Bottom-up citizen movements to organize environmental movementsNot in my back yard (NIMBY) approach

Environmental JusticeEveryone is entitled to protection from environmental hazard Polluted communities populated mostly by minority groupsAfrican Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, Native AmericanClean up much faster in white communites

International treaties can help reduce hazardous wasteBasel Convention (1992)Banned developed countries from shipping hazardous waste to other countries without consent

Stockholm Convention on POPs (2000)Regulates use of 12 common POPs (dirty dozen)Includes DDT, PCBs, Dioxins, and Furans

Sweden (2000)- passed law to ban all persistent chemicals by 2020Reverse policies in US and most other countries

In order to transition to lower waste production we must understandEverything is connected

There is no away in throw away

Polluters and producers should pay for the wastes they produce

We can mimic nature as some solutionsBio-mimicryReuse/recycle minerals and chemicals

Resource Exchange WebsOne manufacturers waste=another manufacturers raw materialsEco-industrial parks or industrial ecosystemsexample in Denmark

73The Love Canal neighborhood is in the city of Niagara Falls, New York.

In 1978 the neighborhood included about 800 homes, 240 low-income apartments, and the 99th Street Elementary School.

The neighborhood was located over and around a landfill that had been active in earlier decades.

Case Study: Love Canal http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/25/booming/love-canal-and-its-mixed-legacy.html

The land was sold in 1920 and became a municipal and industrial dump site.

From 1942 to 1953, Hooker Chemical dumped about 21,000 tons of toxic chemicals at the site.

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In 1953 the landfill was covered with layers of dirt.

The Niagara Falls Board of Education bought the site from Hooker Chemical.

As the city started to grow into the area, the 99th Street Elementary School was built over the landfill, and homes were built around the site.

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From the late 1950s into the 1970s, residents reported foul odors and complained that substances were seeping into their basements, yards, and the school playground.

The city assisted by covering up the seeping substances.

Tests found high levels of PCBs in storm sewers and toxic chemicals in wells.

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77Reports suggested that there was an unusually high rate of birth defects and miscarriages among Love Canal families.

In 1980 the EPA announced that chromosome damage had been found in 11 out of 36 residents tested in the area.

There has not been conclusive proof of a link between Love Canal and any illness.

The health of residents of the Love Canal area is being monitored in a number of ongoing studies.Environmental Damages

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