Urea-Formaldehyde Foam as a Landfill Cover Material: Simulated Landfill Investigations

Abstract

A study was conducted, utilizing simulated landfill cells, to assess the relative suitability of urea-formaldehyde foam as an alternative landfill cover material. Research efforts were directed toward assessment of the extent and impact of formaldehyde leaching within the landfill environment when combined with natural processes of stabilization, and determination of the relative contribution of formaldehyde leached from the foam as compared with the other constituents present in the solid waste. The formaldehyde detected in the leachate samples (3-4.0 mg 1-1), some of which was attributable to the solid waste itself, was determined not to adversely affect the microbially mediated processes of stabilization within the landfill, even though the amount of foam used during this study (2.8 g kg-¹ dry solid waste) was considered to be greater than that which may be typically used at a landfill (0.5-1.5 g kg^-1). Furthermore, as stabilization progressed, formaldehyde was converted and reduced in concentration. Consequently, adverse environmental impacts attributable to the release of formaldehyde from urea-formaldehyde foam within a landfill environment were considered unlikely to occur.