Assessment of Non-Regulated Hazardous Wastes in the Seattle Area

Abstract

The results of a quantitative study to assess the extent and degree of non-regulated hazardous waste present in municipal solid waste generated in King County, Washington State, U.S.A., are reported. A major objective of the study was to ascertain the health and environmental impacts of non-regulated hazardous waste within the County's collection, transport, and disposal systems and to formulate policies for managing non-regulated hazardous waste within the context of the County's solid waste management master plan. The study sampled municipal waste disposed at seven transfer stations in the County for the purpose of identifying the types and concentrations of non-regulated hazardous waste. Subsequent to the field sampling work and the conduct of the laboratory analyses, a risk assessment was performed to determine the types and degree of risk associated with the levels of non-regulated hazardous waste found in the waste stream. The assessment included the areas of occupational health and safety, of public health, and of environmental impact.