Air Pollution Aspects of Land Disposal of Toxic Wastes

Abstract

There are many cases where improper disposal practices have resulted in adverse impact on public health and the environment. Pollution of ground and surface waters has been the major concern in landfill practices; air pollution as a result of volatilization and gas generation from landfill sites has not been seriously considered. Also, very little work has been undertaken on monitoring toxic chemicals in ambient air at the landfill sites. The recent air sampling and analyses have shown that high levels of toxicant concentration do occur nearby the landfill sites. Fallout of the toxicants may be a significant source of water pollution and soil contamination. Evidence indicates that even very stable low vapor pressure chlorinated hydrocarbons, such as PCBs, volatilize.