The Rule has introduced many new regulatory obligations related to wet storage of coal ash in surface impoundments. It also calls for increased monitoring of impoundments’ structural stability and for evaluation of potential effects on groundwater from all types of waste management units. Although the Rule has introduced prescriptive requirements for disposal, it continues to support beneficial re-use of CCPs, which will likely expand CCP use.
Whether CCPs are disposed of as waste or recycled, Gradient has over a decade of experience evaluating environmental impacts and addressing human and ecological health concerns and regulatory issues associated with a number of constituents in CCPs.
What’s in Store Under US EPA’s New Disposal Rule?
Waste Disposal
Recycling for Beneficial Use
Project Examples:
Framework for Evaluating Relative Impacts of Surface Impoundment Closure Options. Gradient developed a decision tool using quantitative risk assessment that aids utilities in selecting closure plans that minimize potential human health and environmental impacts. The framework relies on a comprehensive, science-based assessment of possible impacts to traditional exposure pathways, including groundwater, surface water, and outdoor air, as well as impacts to green and sustainable remediation (GSR) metrics, such as worker safety and resource use.
Coal Combustion Waste Probabilistic Risk Assessment. Gradient critiqued a recent US EPA risk assessment on the human and ecological health risks of CCPs drafted to inform a hazardous waste rulemaking. We evaluated the appropriateness of parameters used in the probabilistic risk assessment and the inputs selected for fate and transport modeling of metals.
Mercury Risks from Construction Materials Containing CCPs. Gradient evaluated potential mercury inhalation risks associated with the beneficial use and disposal of CCPs in building materials and structural fills. We calculated mercury releases from CCPs in wallboard, concrete, structural fills, and construction and demolition (C&D) landfills and compared the modeled mercury concentration in indoor and outdoor air to toxicity criteria to determine if potential exposures were above a level of concern.
Human Health and Ecological Risks of Constituents in CCPs. Gradient prepared reports on the human health and ecological risks associated with several chemical constituents in CCPs, including arsenic, thallium, selenium, and molybdenum. The reports included a summary of human epidemiology and key animal studies, focusing on the use of this information in risk assessment and current regulatory standards and criteria.
Surface and Groundwater Risk Assessment for Waste Impoundments. We evaluated the potential risk to surface and ground waters from coal combustion waste products stored in inactive, unlined surface impoundments around the country. We conducted an analysis of a national surface impoundment database and statistically evaluating the duration of risk due to a potential surface impoundment structural failure. Additionally, we developed an analytical approach simulating the leaching of coal combustion waste.
