SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1983
STP33538S

Leach Testing of Foundry Process Wastes

Source

Emission control dusts, sludges, and mixed foundry process wastes were sampled from 21 foundries in Michigan and Pennsylvania and subjected to the pH 5 acetic acid extraction procedure (EP) specified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) to define whether a waste is hazardous. This was in accordance with EPA's concern about cadmium, chromium, and lead extractions from such wastes. In addition, distilled water extractions were performed on all wastes, and controlled pH extractions ranging from pH 4 to 8 were performed on selected wastes. Finally, total metal contents were obtained to determine the percentages of the three metals extracted.

Emission control dusts and sludges from 9 of the 21 foundries were found to be EP toxic with respect to cadmium or lead or both. None were chromium toxic. Extraction was highly pH dependent, with much lower concentrations obtained at higher pH levels. Distilled water extractions resulted in one emission control waste being classified as EP toxic. Mixing emission control wastes with other process wastes resulted in a mixture much less likely to be classified EP toxic from that foundry.

The percentages of metals released in the EP test ranged from basically zero to 39% for cadmium, <1 to 12% for lead, and basically zero to 0.5% for chromium.

Author Information

Boyle, WC
University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Ham, RK
University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Pastene, J
Union Carbide Corp., S. Charleston, WV
Stanforth, R
RMT, Inc., Madiscon, WI
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Details
Developed by Committee: D34
Pages: 67–88
DOI: 10.1520/STP33538S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-4872-7
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-0246-0