Abstract
ABSTRACT
In October 1983, residents of Cape Cod, Massachusetts participated in the region's first program for the collection of household hazardous wastes. This program was organized by the Cape Cod Planning and Economic Development Commission (CCPEDC) in an attempt to provide a continual method for preventive maintenance of the area's ground water aquifer, the sole source of drinking water to the fifteen towns comprising Barnstable County (Cape Cod). The widespread use and improper disposal of small quantities of hazardous chemicals used in the home is a suspected source of contamination of the aquifer by synthetic organic chemicals such as trichloroethane and dichlorobenzene. An analysis of this waste disposal problem on Cape Cod, a discussion of appropriate solutions, and results of a successful region-wide collection program are presented.
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