TIMES BEACH, Missouri Dioxin Contamination

Hazardous Waste “wastes which, by reason of their chemical activity or toxic or other characteristics cause danger or likely will cause danger to health or the environment, whether alone or when coming into contact with other waste” UNEP UNEP o o This term gained recognition in the s due to high profile cases of hazardous waste mismanagement such as The Love Canal, NY and Times Beach, Missouri.

o Times Beach is a small town in St Louis County, Missouri. o 2,240 Residents Times Beach, Missouri o Mid 1980s Times Beach was completely evacuated due to DIOXIN contamination o Largest civilian exposure is US history

Times Beach, Missouri o o Due to lack of funds the roads in Times Beach were left unpaved. Created a large dust problem Waste oils were applied to the dirt roads as a form of dust control Unaware waste contained DIOXIN o o Waste oil was also used in local horse stables. Fatal effect on horses Even after 6 inches of topsoil had been removed, animals continued to die. The Centre of Disease Control and Prevention was contacted Investigation Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contacted Soil samples taken that identified dangerous levels of DIOXIN in the area.

Times Beach, Missouri o 1982: EPA announced they had discovered dangerous amounts of dioxin More that 1,000 samples were taken at different locations and at varying depths Onsite surfaces and soils contaminated with dioxin Nearby Meramec River burst its banks, flooding town and spreading the contaminant. o 1983: Town was bought out by federal government All residents evacuated o 1988: Decision on remedial method made. ONSITE INCINERATION.

Dioxins o o A contaminant created as by-products in many Industrial processes. o o One of the most toxic chemicals known to science. o o The best known dioxin is “2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin o o Basic Chemical Structure: 2 benzene rings connected by a pair of oxygen atoms o o Does not dissolve in water but dissolves in oil.

Dioxin Contamination o o The dioxin contamination of the soil at Times Beach, Missouri required protective gear for EPA officials to take samples. Photo: EPA Journal. o Chemical tests showed that Times Beach had a dioxin contamination of 100ppm, compared to the safe level of 1ppm.

Remediation Options o o Capping contaminated soil Continuous monitoring required need long term access restrictions risk of future release and exposure o o Thermal treatment of contaminated soil: Incineration high temperatures used to volatize and combust refractory organics in the hazardous waste. would permanently destroy the dioxin

Clean Up Operation o o Transportable Rotary-Kiln incinerator o o 15ft high barrier built around incinerator to protect from flooding from nearby Meramec river o o Total of 265,000 tons of soil and debris processed o o 1,900 tons of incinerator ash required re-incineration because it did not meet land filling criteria. o o Clean up was completed in 1997

Rotary-Kiln Incinerator

Clean Up Operation Contaminated furniture from Times Beach gathered for incineration

Development o The events at Times Beach in 1980s led to: o The passage of new environmental laws regulating waste disposal. o Increased public awareness of hazardous waste o A reduction in Dioxin production o A better understanding of the need for companies to handle waste more responsibly o SUPERFUND gained public awareness and continues to fund the clean up of contaminated land in the US. o Route 66 State Park o 419 acres o Opened 1999