Solving Hazardous Waste Problems

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) represent a highly visible, well-studied class of pollutants that are acutely toxic to animals. Information about these chemicals and experience with many environmental contamination episodes serve as a guide for solving hazardous waste problems caused by other pollutants. Solutions require the recognition of a problem, such as the widespread distribution of a pollutant in the environment, releases of pollutants from chemical processes, or their presence at hazardous waste sites. After concern about the presence of pollutants, in the environment arises, the risk posed by chemicals such as dioxins must be assessed. Such risk assessment requires an understanding of the acute and chronic toxicity of the pollutant and knowledge of pathways by which humans and animals can be exposed to the chemical. Subsequent risk management involves social, political, legal, and economic factors that interact with potential technical options. The major issues relating to cleanup of dioxins in the environment are described from experiences at sites in the United States and Europe.