United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of
Solid Waste
Washington, DC 20460
January 1989
EPA/530-SW-89-015B
Office of Solid Waste
Characterization  of
Products Containing
Lead and Cadmium
in Municipal Solid
Waste in the
United States,
1970 to 2000
             Final Report
Executive Summary and
Chapter 1, Lead and
Cadmium in Municipal
Solid Waste: Overview
and Summary
 Original editions of this document are printed on recycled
 paper with ink free of lead and cadmium.

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                               EXECUTIVE  SUMMARY
            As disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW) has become an issue of
increasing importance in the United States, combustion of wastes has been
recognized as one of several alternative management approaches.  A'concern
associated with municipal waste combustion, however, is that heavy metals
(lead and cadmium in particular) have been found in analytical tests of the
ash from these facilities.  This report characterizes the sources of lead and
cadmium in products disposed in MSW over the time period 1970 to 1986, with
projections to the year 2000.

LEAD IN MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE

            Lead is widespread in the municipal waste stream; it is in both
the combustible and,noncombustible portions of MSW.  Discards of lead in MSW
are overwhelmingly greater than discards of cadmium (Figure 1).

            Lead-acid batteries (primarily batteries for automobiles) rank
first, by a wide margin, of the products containing lead that enter ^the waste
stream.  Trends in quantities of lead discarded in products in MSW (ranked by
tonnage discarded in 1986) are shown in Table 1.  The last two columns on the
table indicate whether the total tonnage of lead in a product is generally
increasing or decreasing, and whether the percentage of total MSW lead
contained in a product is increasing or decreasing.

            Changing trends in discards of lead are illustrated in Figure 2.
Lead discards in batteries are shown to be growing steadily, as are discards
in consumer electronics.  Discards of leaded solder in cans and lead in
pigments, however, virtually "disappear" from the graphic between 1970 and
1986.  Lead discards in other products are shown to be relatively small.
            Findings about the individual products in MSW that contain lead
are:
            * Lead-acid Batteries contributed 65 percent of  the lead.in MSW in
 1986;  this percentage has ranged between 50 and 85 percent during  the 1970 to
 1986 period studied.  The tonnages  in Table 1 represent discards after
 recycling, but of  all the products  considered, only lead-acid batteries are
 recycled  to a significant extent.   Recycling rates, which have ranged from 52
 to  80  percent, have a major  effect  on the^ tonnage: of  lead-acid batteries
 discarded.                 :         ..r "-'-_•.•         V^

            * Consumer Electronics  (television sets,  radios, and video
 Cassette  recorders) accounted for 27 percent of lead  discards in MSW  in 1986.
 They contribute  lead from soldered  circuit boards, leaded glass in television
 sets,  and plated steel chassis.  Leaded glass accounts for most of the lead in
 these  products.                         .-.'."'      ;   ~

            * Glass and Ceramics. as reported here, include  lead in products
 such as glass containers, tableware and cookware, and other  items  such as

                      •• •-'•"'.       ,  -      V ' •"  • ,""
                        7 - ,  .           J-

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Figure 1. Relative discards of lead and cadmium in MSW, 1986.
                                  Cadmium 1,788 tons

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                                      Table 1
               LEAD  IN  PRODUCTS DISCARDED  IN MSW.  1970 TO  2000
                                (In short tons)
Products     1970

Lead-acid
 batteries   83,825

Consumer
 electronics 12,233
 1986
2000
Tonnage
138,043   181,546    Increasing
 58,536    85,032    Increasing
                                                            Percentage
                           Variable
                           Increasing
Glass and
ceramics
Plastics
Soldered
cans
Pigments
All others
Totals
3,465
1,613
24,117
27,020
12.567
164,840
7,956
3,577
2,052
1,131
2.537
213,652
8,910
3,228
787
682
1.701
281,887
Increasing
Increasing;
decreasing
after 1986
Decreasing
Decreasing
Decreasing
Increasing; s
after 1986
Fairly stable
Decreasing
Decreasing
Decreasing

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Year
2000


1986


1970
          Figure 2.  Lead in discards of products in MSW, 1970, 1986, anc  .
                                  2000.
             50,000    100,000   150,000    200,000   250,000   300,000
                                                                   Tons
01
All others
Glass
EZJ
m
Pigments
Electronics
D
m
Cans
Batteries
^ Plastics

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 optical  glass.   These  contributed 4 percent of lead discards  in 1986.   (Leaded
 glass  in light bulbs is  included in the  "All Other" category  in Table  1.)-

             * Plastics use  lead in two ways:   As  a heat  stabilizer (primarily
 in polyvinyl chloride  resins)  and as a component  of pigments  in many resins.
 This category, which includes  products such as nonfood packaging,  clothing  and.
 footwear, housewares,  records,  furniture,  appliances,  and other miscellaneous
 products, accounted for  about  2 percent  of lead discards in 1986.   Plastics in
 consumer electronics products  are counted  under that category.

             * Soldered Cans have experienced a large decline  in usage  since
 1970,  when  they  contributed 14 percent of  the lead in  MSW.  Leaded solder is
 currently used in  steel  food cans,  general purpose cans  (like aerosols), and
 shipping containers.

             * Pigments containing lead compounds  have  declined  greatly since
 1970,  dropping from 18 percent of total  lead discards  to less than one
 percent.  This category  includes pigments  used in paints,  printing inks,
 textile  dyes, etc.  Pigments used in plastics,  glass and ceramics,  and rubber
 products  are accounted for  In  those categories.

             * All  Others  include brass and bronze products, light  bulbs  (which
 contain  lead in  solder and  in  glass), rubber  products, used oil, collapsible
 tubes, and  lead  foil wine bottle wrappers.   Collapsible.tubes contributed over
 5  percent of total lead  discards in 1970,  but their use  has declined
 dramatically since then.  None  of the other items  has  exceeded  one percent  of
 the total since  1970.

 CADMIUM  IN  MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE
            Like lead, cadmium is widespread in products discarded into MSW,
although it occurs in much smaller quantities overall.  Since 1980, nickel-
cadmium household batteries have been the Number 1 contributor of cadmium in
MSW.                                                         '

            Trends in quantities of cadmium discarded in products in MSW
(ranked by tonnage discarded in 1986) are shown in Table 2.

            Trends in discards of cadmium in products in MSW are illustrated
in Figure 3.  Discards of cadmium in household batteries were small in 1970,
but then increased dramatically.   Cadmium discards in plastics are relatively
stable. Discards of cadmium in consumer electronics are shown to decrease over
time, while the other categories are relatively small.

            Findings about cadmium discards in individual products in MSW are:

            * Household Batteries (rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries) have
accounted for more than half of cadmium discards in the U.S.  since 1980.   This
growth is projected to continue unless they are replaced by another type  of
battery.

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 Year
2000


1986


197*0.
           Figure 3. Cadmium in discards of products in  MSW, 1970, 1986,
                                   and 2000.
               500
1,000
1,500
2,,p:flO
2,500
                     All others  E]  Pigments   E3 Appliances

                     Electronics E  Plastics    M Batteries
3,000
 Tons

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             * Plastics continue  to be  an  important  source  of cadmium in MSW,
 contributing 28 percent of discards  in 1986.  Cadmium is used in .stabilizers
 in polyvinyl chloride resins and in  pigments  in a wide variety of  plastic
 resins.  Cadmium is found in nonfood packaging, footwear,  housewares,  records,
 furniture, and other plastic products.

                                     Table  2

               CADMIUM IN PRODUCTS DTSfi/lRDED IN MSW. 1970 TO  2000
                                 (In short  tons)
 Products

 Household
  batteries

 Plastics
 Consumer
  electronics

 Appliances

 Pigments

 Glass and
  ceramics

 All  others

      Totals
1970    1986    2000    Tonnage
  53

 342
930

502
2,035

  380
571
107
79
32
12
1,196
Consumer
161
88
70
29
1
1,788 2
Electronics
67
57
93
37
11
,684
(tel
 Increasing

 Variable



 Decreasing

 Decreasing

 Variable


Variable

Variable
  Percentage


 Increasing

 Variable;
   decreasing after
   1986

 Decreasing

 Decreasing

 Variable


Variable

Variable
                 1   '	    111      - iniTM  x	— —• - — — — —•»» u V VM  b»*.*v*> J. CAV*^\XI^ j  ^\J JLI11C JL J- y  LlCLU
cadmium-plated  steel  chassis  in many cases.  These chassis have  been replaced
by circuit boards, so cadmium discards in consumer electronics are declining
as the older units are replaced.  They contributed 9 percent of  the total in
1986.

            * Appliances  (dishwashers and washing machines) formerly had
cadmium-plated parts  to resist  corrosion.  This source  of cadmium  is declining
as cadmium-plated parts are replaced by plastics, which are themselves another
source of cadmium discards in appliances. Cadmium discards from  appliances
accounted for about 5 percent of total in 1986.

            * Pigments used in printing inks,  textile dyes, and paints may
contain cadmium compounds, although this is not a large source of  cadmium in
MSW (about 4 percent of total).

            * Glass and Ceramics may contain cadmium as a pigment,  as a glaze,
or as a phosphor.  This is a relatively small source of cadmium in MSW.

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            * All other sources of cadmium include rubber products,  used oil,
and electric blankets and heating pads. These contribute very small amounts of
cadmium to MSW.

LEAD AND CADMIUM IN COMBUSTIBLE AND NONCOMBUSTIBLE PRODUCTS

            Removal of the noncombustible products containing lead and cadmium
before municipal solid waste is incinerated has been suggested as a way to
manage the heavy metal content of incinerator ash.  Using data developed in
this study, the lead and cadmium content of the combustible and noncombustible
fractions of MSW was examined.

            Almost 98 percent of the lead in MSW is found in noncombustible
products, mostly in lead-acid batteries (Figure 4).  If all the noncombustible
products containing lead were removed, most of the remaining lead would be in
plastics (71 percent) and other pigments (24 percent).

            Noncombustible products also contribute the majority (64 percent)
of cadmium in MSW, with nickel-cadmium batteries being the primary source
(Figure 5).  If all of the noncombustible products containing cadmium were
removed, plastics would contribute most of the remainder (88 percent),  with
other pigments accounting for 11 percent.

POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF RECYCLING

            Recycling of lead-acid batteries to recover lead has a very
significant influence on the amount of lead discarded. A previous study for
EPA estimated the recycling rate of these batteries to be 80 percent in 1986;
if there were no recycling of batteries, up to 700,000 additional tons of lead
would have been discarded.  The battery recycling rate has been as low as 52
percent in the early 1980s.  The rate is affected by several factors,
including the price of lead and regulatory requirements.

            No other recycling of lead or cadmium was identified, although
small amounts of nickel-cadmium batteries may be exported for recycling.
There are, however, several products that are recovered for recycling in which
lead or cadmium is an incidental constituent.  The lead or cadmium is thus
removed from the waste stream entering an incinerator by the recycling
process.  The recycled products identified are:  paper products that are
deinked for recycling purposes, soldered cans, rubber tires, appliances,  glass
containers, and plastics.

LIMITATIONS OF THIS REPORT

            While this report contains useful data on discards of lead and
cadmium in municipal solid waste, there are some limitations in its
application to the issue of lead and cadmium in municipal waste combustor ash.
These limitations are:

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   Figure 4.   Relative discards of lead in combustible and
              noncombustible products, 1986.
                                Combustibles 2.3%
Figure 5.   Relative discards of cadmium in  combustible and
             noncombustible  products, 1986.

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            * This characterization identifies the sources of lead and cadmium
in MSW; it does not tell us whether these are the major sources of leachable
lead and cadmium in MWC ash.

            * The MSW characterization presented here may not correlate well
with the waste input at any particular MWC facility.

            * The identified compounds of lead and cadmium may recombine with
other materials in the combustion chamber to form new compounds;  this issue is
beyond the scope of this study.

            * In addition to MSW, other nonhazardous  wastes contain lead and
cadmium; these wastes may in some instances be incinerated along with MSW.
These wastes, which were identified but not characterized in this study,
include:  municipal sludge, construction and demolition wastes, industrial  and
military wastes,.and automotive and other transportation equipment wastes.
                                      10

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                                   Chapter 1

                  LEAD AND CADMIUM IN MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE:
                             OVERVIEW AND SUMMARY
            In the past few years, environmentally-sound disposal of municipal
solid waste (MSW) has become a major issue for the United States, especially
at the local and state levels.  As more and more landfills are closed and new
landfills become increasingly difficult to site, communities are seeking
methods of disposal. Recovery and recycling of materials and combustion
(incineration) of MSW are two important alternatives that are being considered
and imp1emented.

            Municipal waste combustion (MWC) is attractive to many communities
because combustion reduces the volume of waste by up to 90 percent and the
weight of waste by up to 80 percent.  In addition, sales of recovered energy
products (e.g., steam or electricity) help to offset the costs of disposal.
Combustion of municipal solid waste does present some problems, however, and
one of these is the disposal of the ash remaining after the combustion process
is complete.

            Analytical tests have detected heavy metals (lead and cadmium in
particular) in the ash remaining after municipal waste combustion (1).  This
report addresses one of many unanswered questions about MWC ash:  What are the
sources of lead and cadmium in municipal solid waste?

OVERVIEW OF THIS REPORT

            This report characterizes lead and cadmium in products disposed in
municipal solid waste over the time period 1970 to 1986, with projections of
disposal to the year 2000.  A summary of the findings is included in this
chapter, with more detailed discussions on lead in Chapter 2,  and cadmium in
Chapter 3.

Wastes Included in This Report

            Municipal solid waste is defined in EPA's Subtitle D* reports (2)
as wastes coming from household,  institutional,  and commercial sources.
Examples of institutional sources include hospitals (except for infectious
wastes), schools,  and prisons.   Examples  of commercial sources include retail
stores,  office buildings,  and warehouses.  Some wastes from industrial sources
are also included,  for example:   corrugated boxes and other packaging,
cafeteria and washroom wastes,  and office wastes.
* Subtitle D of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)  regulates
  those wastes generally classified as nonhazardous,  while Subtitle C deals
  with hazardous wastes.
                                      11

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Wastes Not Included in this Report

            A number of wastes* regulated under Subtitle D are not
characterized in this study, including:

            - Municipal sludge
            - Industrial nonhazardous process waste
            - Small quantity generator waste
            '- Construction and demolition waste.

While these wastes are not characterized for lead and cadmium content in this
report, they may contain those metals and if incinerated along with MSW, they
could contribute to lead and cadmium in the ash.

METHODOLOGY

            The general methodology for this study is called the materials
flow methodology; it is based on a methodology for estimating municipal solid
waste that was developed at EPA in the mid-1970s (3) and that has been used
periodically for EPA reports ever since. The materials flow methodology
applies to the United States as a whole; it is not tailored to any specific
locality.  Data series on production of the products and materials in the
waste stream are used as a basis.  Adjustments are then made for imports and
exports of the products, for diversions away from the waste stream, for the
lifetimes of the products, and for materials recovery.

            Application of the methodology to discards of lead and cadmium
required some additional steps.  Numerous assumptions were required to
determine end uses of products (like lead-containing solder) that would enter
the municipal waste stream rather than others, such as demolition wastes.
Also, lead and cadmium occur in many intermediate products, such as pigments,
that enter the waste stream as part of another product.  All assumptions were
documented.  The methodology is summarized in Figure 1-1, and a more detailed
description  is included in Appendix A of this report.

RELATIVE DISCARDS OF LEAD AND  CADMIUM

             Both lead and cadmium have been detected in analyses of ash from
municipal waste combustors  (MWC).  Discards of  lead in products classified as
MSW are, however, very much greater than discards of cadmium.**  As Figure 1-2
 demonstrates, nearly 100  times more lead than cadmium was discarded in  1986;
 this relationship has been  relatively  constant  since 1970.
 * See Reference .2 for definitions and discussion of these wastes.

 ** Later in this chapter, relative discards of lead and cadmium in the
   .combustible and noncombustible fractions of MSW are discussed.
                                       12

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Consumpti
 of Lead or
  Cadmium
Intermediate
  Products
                          Manufacturing
                          or  Converting
                              Losses
               Imports   Diversions
                                                Exports
ImP,orts  Diversions
                                               Products
                                               Entering
                                                MSW
                       Discards  to
                      Incineration
                       or  Landfill
                                                                       T
                                                 Exports
                                                                  Manufacturing
                                                                  or  Converting
                                                                      Losses
   Figure  1-1.  Materials flow methodology for  estimating lead and cadmium in MSW discards.

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Figure 1-2. Relative discards .of lead and cadmium in MSW, 1986.
                                   Cadmium 1,788 tons
                               14

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TRENDS IN DISCARDS* OF LEAD AND CADMIUM

Lead in MSW

            Discards of lead in products in MSW from 1970 to 2000 are
summarized in Tables 1-1 and 1-2.  Some perspective on the discards of various.
products can be gained from Tables 1-3 and 1-4 and Figure 1-3.  The products
are discussed below in order of their relative rankings in 1986 (Table 1-3).
(Each of these products is discussed in more detail in Chapter 2.)

            Lead-Acid Batteries.  By any measure, lead discarded in lead-acid
storage batteries overwhelms all other sources.  These batteries, which
primarily provide starting, lighting, and ignition (SLI) for automotive
products, rank Number 1 in discards for all years from 1970 to 2000 (Table 1-4
and Figure 1-3).

            Table 1-2 demonstrates the high percentage of lead discarded in
these batteries.  They were 50 percent of the total lead discards in 1970, 76
percent in 1980, and 65 percent in 1986, a percentage that is projected to
remain about constant to 2000.  The figures show that discards of lead from
batteries peaked in 1982 at about 409,000 tons.  Several factors contributed
to this:  sales and imports of automotive vehicles were high in 1978 (there is
a four-year lag between battery purchases and discards); the estimated pounds
of lead per battery peaked at that time; and recycling of lead from batteries
was declining.  (Recycling is discussed in more detail later in this chapter.)

            An estimated 138,000 tons of lead in batteries were discarded in
1986.  These discards are projected to increase gradually to about 182,000
tons in 2000 under stable conditions (Table 1-1 and Figure 1-3).

            Consumer Electronics.  This category of products includes
primarily television sets, radios, and more recently,  video cassette recorders
(VCRs).  Consumer electronics were the Number 4 contributor of lead in MSW in
1970, but by 1975 they were Number 2, a position they continue to hold (Table
1-4).  The sources of lead in these electronics products include soldered
circuit boards, leaded glass in television sets,  and plated steel chassis.
Discards of lead in consumer electronics amounted to about 12,000 tons in
1970, or 7 percent of total lead discards.   By 1986,  this has grown to 58,500
tons, or 27 percent of total.   By 2000,  discards  of lead in consumer
electronics is projected to be 85,000 tons,  or 30 percent of total.   (See
Figure 1-3.)

            Solder containing lead is commonly used in circuit boards  in
consumer electronic products.   This has  been an increasing source  of lead
discards,  but the amount discarded is projected to decline in the  future
(Table 1-1). . This reflects a general decline in  the use of lead  in solder in
* "Discards" in this section refers to discards after recycling;  in other
  words,  the products shown in these tables and figures would be  incinerated
  unless  otherwise disposed.                                  .            •
                                      15

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                                              Table  1-1

               DISCARDS*  OF LEAD  IS PRODUCTS  IH THE MUNICIPAL WASTE STREAM. 1970 TO 2000


BRASS AMD BRONZE PRODUCTS
CANS AHD OTHER SHIPPING CONTAINERS
Solder in food cans
Solder in beverage cans
Solder general cans
Solder In shipping concainers
Subtoeal — cans and shipping
concainers
CONSUMER ELECTRONICS
Circuit boards
Plascics
TV piccure cubes
TV and radio chassis
Subcocal — consumer eleccron.
CLASS AND CERAMIC PRODUCTS**
LEAD-ACID STORAGE BATTERIES
Starting- lighting-ignition
Portable
Subcocal - lead-acid bacceries
LIGHT BULBS
Glass
Solder
Subcocal - light bulbs
PIGMENTS*
Princing inks
All other produces
Subcocal - pigments
PLASTICS-H-
Honfood packaging
Clothing
Footwear
Miscellaneous nondurables
Subtotal — nondurables
Housewares
Toys
Records
Luggage
Furniture
Appliances
Miscellaneous durables
Subcocal - durables
Subtotal - plascics
RUBBER PRODUCTS
Tires and rubber produces
All other rubber products
Subcocal - rubber products
USED OIL
MISCELLANEOUS PRODUCTS
Collapsible cubes
Foil wine wrappers
Subcocal — raise, p'roduccs

1970
410

11,995
9,227
2,307
588

24,117

1,417
0
10,430
386
12,233
3,465

83,823
2
83,825

491
156
647

19,192
7,828
27,020

775
116
152
56
1,099
80
130
97
3
84
88
32
514
1,513

36
16
52
1,557

9,310
591
9.901
(In short
1975
474

10,291
7,260
1,911
660

20,122

1,759
0
17,935
499
20,193
4,122

206,420
7
206,427

507
161
668

13,819
3,198
17,017

689
182
342
89
1,302
227
354
166
4
155
74
61
1,041
2,343

38
15
53
1,230

2,360
356
3,216
tons)
1980
404

6,882
1,077
1,257
459

9,675

3,441
0
17,690
683
31,814
5,396

205,641
18
205,659

623
197
820

8,222
1,642
9,864

968
67
264
371
1,670
189
222
304
8
426
113
80
1,342
3,012

70
33
103
810

1,477
383
1,360

1985
267

1.898
0
911
198

3,007

5,883
0
40,818
310
47,011
6,911

221,913
41
221,954

706
224
930

1,414
954
2,368

916
31
372
377
1,696
166
183
209
4
368
98
742
1,770
3,466

42
18
60
314

607
243
850

1986
321

1,139
0
778
135

2,052

6,092
0
52,165
279
58,536
7,956

137,996
47
138,043

709
225
934

265
866
1,131

934
29
324
391
1,678
177
219
242
5
416
92
748
1,899
3,577

48
21
69
192

639
202
841

1990
310

642
0
439
52

1,133

3,568
46
48,230
0
51,844
8,415

167,236
71
167,307

727
230
957

220
718
938

1,007
30
290
390
1,717
137
176
215
7
362
148
758
1,803
3,520

55
24
79
61

240
100
340

1995
181

594
0
406
46

1,046

2,714
26
76,280
0
79,020
8,663

172,639
91
172,730

787
249
1,036

179
630
809

1,003
30
290
390
1,713
145
183
95
5
160
139
731
1,458
3,171

57
24
81
48

220
80
300

2000
207

443
0
303
41

787

990
42
84,000
0
85,032
8,910

181,445
101
181,546

847
268
1,115

140
542
682

1,003
30.
290
390
1,713
145
183
120
6
177
153
731
1,515
3,228

59
24
83
36

200
60
260
GRAND TOTAL
164,84.0  275,865  269,417  287,138  213,652  234,904  267,086  281,887
 * Discards after recycling.
** Except for glass in light bulbs and television sets.
 + Except for pigments in glass, plascics, and rubber.
•H- Except for plastics in consumer electronics.
                                               L6

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                                                Table  1-2
(In percent of total lead
Products
BRASS AND BRONZE PRODUCTS
CANS AND OTHER SHIPPING CONTAINERS
Solder in food cans
Solder in beverage cans
Solder in general cans
Solder in shipping containers
Subtotal - cans and shipping
containers
CONSUMER ELECTRONICS
Circuit boards
Plastics
TV picture tubes
TV and radio chassis
Subtotal - consumer electronics
GLASS AND CERAMIC PRODUCTS**
LEAD-ACID STORAGE BATTERIES
Starting-lighting-ignition
Portable
Subtotal - lead-acid batteries
LfCIIT BULBS
Glass
Solder
Subtotal - light bulbs
PIGMENTS*
Printing inks
All other products
Subtotal - pigments
PLASTICS-H-
Nonfood packaging
Clothing
Footwear
Miscellaneous nondurables
Subtotal - nondurables
Housewares
Toys
Records
Luggage
Furniture
Appliances
Miscellaneous durables
Subtotal - durables
Subtotal - plastics
RUBBER PRODUCTS
Tires and tire products
All other rubber products
Subtotal - rubber products
USED OIL
MISCELLANEOUS PRODUCTS
Collapsible tubes
Foil wine wrappers
Subtotal - misc. products
1970
0.2

7.3
5.6
1.4
0.3

14.6

0.9
0.0
6.3
0.2
7.4
2.1

50.8
0.0
50.9

0.3
0.1
0.4

11.6
4.8
16.4

0.5
0.1
0.1
0.0
0.7
0.0
O.I
0.1
0.0
0.0
0.1
0.0
0.3
1.0

0.02
0.01
0.03
0.9

5.6
0.4
6.0
1975
0.2

3.7
2.6
0.7
0.2

7.3

0.6
0.0
6.5
0.2
7.3
1.5

74.8
0.0
74.8

0.2
0.1
0.2

5.0
1.2
6.2

0.3
0.1
0.1
0.0
0.5
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.0
0.1
0.0
0.0
0.4
0.9

0.01
0.01
0.02
0.4

1.0
0.1
1.2
1980
0.1

2.5
0.4
0.5
0.2

3.6

1.3
0.0
10.3
0.3
11.8
2.0

76.3
0.0
76.3

0.2
0.1
0.3

3.1
0.6
3.7

0.4
0.0
0.1
0.1
0.6
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.0
0.2
0.0
0.0
0.5
1.1

0.03
0.01
0.04
0.3

0.6
0.1
0.7
discards)
' 1985
0.1

0.7
0.0
0.3
0.1

1.1

2.1
0.0
14.2
0.1
16.4
2.4

77.3
0.0
77.3

0.2
0.1
0.3

0.5
0.3
0.8

0.3
0.0
o.i
0.1
0.6
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.0
0.1
0.0
0.3
0.6
1.2

0.01
0.01
0.02
0.1

0.2
0.1
0.3

1986
0.2

0.5
0.0
0.4
0.1

1.0

2.9
0.0
24.4
0.1
27.4
3.7

64.6
0.0
64.6

0.3
0.1
0.4

0.1
0.4
0.5

0.4
0.0
0.2
0.2
0.8
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.0
0.2
0.0
0.3
0.9
1.7

0.02
0.01
0.03
0.1

0.3
0.1 '
0.4

1990
0.1

0.3
O.-O
0.2 '
0.0

0.5

1.5
0.0
20.5
0.0
22.1
3.6

71.2
0.0
71.2

0.3
0.1
0.4

0.1
0.3
0.4

0.4
0.0
0.1
0.2
'.0.7
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.0
0.2
0.1
0.3
0.8
1.5

0.02
0.01 .
0.03
0.03-

0.1
0.0
0.1

1995
0.1
•
0.2
0.0
0.2
0.0

0.4

1.0
0.0
28.6
0.0
29.6
3.2

64.6
0.0
64.7

0.3
0.1
0.4

0.1
0.3
0.3

0.4
0.0
0.1
0.1
0.6
0.1
0.1
0.6
0.0
0.1
o.-i
' 0.3
0.5
1.2

0.02
:- 0.01
0.03 •
0;02

0.1
0.0
0.1

2000
0.1

0.2
0.0 -
0.1
0.0

0.3

0.4
0.0
29.8
0.0
30.2
3.2

64.4
0.0
64.4

0.3
0.1
0.4

0.1
0.2
0.3

0.4
0.0
0.1
0.1
0.6
0.1
0.1
0.0
0.0
0.1
0.1
0.3
0.5
1.1

0.02
0.01
0.03
0.01

0.1
0.0
0.1
GRAND TOTAL
                                     100.0
                                              100.0
                                                       100.0
                                                                100.0
                                                                         100.0
                                                                                  100.0
                                                                                           100.0
                                                                                                    100.0
 * Discards after recycling.
** Except for glass in light bulbs and television sets.
 + Except for pigments  in glass, plastics, and rubber.
•H- Except for plastics in consumer electronics.
                                                 17

-------
                               Table  1-3

      DISCARDS* OF LEAD IN PRODUCTS  IN THE MUNICIPAL WASTE STREAM. 1986
                    RANKED IN ORDER OF  WEIGHT OF LEAD
                    (In shore cons and percent of cocal)
Produces
                                               Short Tons
                                                                      Percent
LEAD-ACID STORAGE BATTERIES
   Starcing-lighting-ignition                   137,996
   Portable                                          47
      Subtotal - lead, batteries                 138,043

CONSUMER ELECTRONICS
  ' Circuit boards                                 6,092
   TV picture tubes                              52,165
   TV and radio chassis                              279
      Subtotal-consumer electronics              58,536

GLASS AND CERAMIC PRODUCTS''*                      7,956

PLASTICS*
   Nonfood packaging                                 934
   Clothing                                          29
   Footwear                                          324
   Miscellaneous nondurables                         391
      Subtocal-oondurables       -                1,678
   Housewares                                        177
   Toys                                              219
   Records                                           242
   Luggage                             <               5
   Furniture                                         416
   Appliances                                   ,92
   Miscellaneous durables                            748
      Subtotal-durables                           1,899
      Subtotal-plastics                           3,577

CANS AND OTHER SHIPPING CONTAINERS
   Solder in food: cans                            1,139
   Solder in general cans                            778
   Solder in shipping containers                     135
      Subtotal-cans and shipping containers       2,052

FTaiENTS-H-
   Printing inks                                     265
   All other products                    ,            866
      Subtotal -pigments                          1,131

LIGHT BULBS
   Clas*                                            709
   Solder                                            225
      Subtocal-lighc bulbs             .              934

COLLAPSIBLE TUBES                                    639

BRASS AND  BRONZE PRODUCTS                            321

FOIL WINE WRAPPERS                                   202

USED OIL                   ...                        192

RUBBER PRODUCTS
 _  Tires and  cire products                            48
   All other  rubber products                          21
      Subtotal-rubber  products                        69

   GRAND TOTAL                                   213,653
 64.6
  0.0
 64.6
  2.9
 24.4
  0.1
 27.4

  3.7
  0.4
  0.0-
  0.2
  0.2
  0.8
  0.1
  0.1
  0.1
  0.0
  0.2
  0.0
  0.3
  0.9
  1.7
  0.5
  0.4
  0.1
  1.0
  0.1
  0.4
  0.5
  0.3
  0.1
 . 0.4

  0.3

  0.2

  0.1

  0.1
  0.02
  0.01
  0.03

100.0
  it Discards  'after recycling.
 ** Except for glass in light bulbs  and  television sets.
  + Except for plastics in consumer  electronics. .
 •H- Except for pigments in glass,  plastics,  and rubber
                                     18

-------
VD
                                                                    Table 1-4


                                             SOURCES OF LEAD IN MSW, RANKED BY TONNAGE. 1970 TO 2000

RANK^-^"
-"-"'YEAR
No. 1
No. 2
No. 3
No. 4
No. 5
No. 6
•
1970
Lead-Acid
Batteries
Pigments
Soldered
Cans
Consumer
Electronics
Collapsible
Tubes
Glass
Products

1975
Lead-Acid
Batteries
Consumer
Electronics
Soldered
Cans
Pigments
Glass
Products
Collapsible
Tubes

1980
Lead-Acid
Batteries
Consumer
Electronics
Pigments
Soldered
Cans
Glass
Products
Plastics
1966
Lead-Acid
Batteries
Consumer
Electronics
Glass
Products
Plastics
Soldered
Cans
Pigments
1990
Lead-Acid
Batteries
Consumer
Electronics
Glass
Products
Plastics
Soldered
Cans
Pigments

1995
Lead-Acid
Batteries
Consumer
Electronics
Glass
Products
Plastics
Soldered
Cans
Light Bulbs

2000
Lead-Acid
Batteries
Consumer
Electronics
Glass
Products
Plastics
Light Bulbs
Soldered
Cans

         Lead-Acid Batteries are primarily automotive batteries.
         Pigments Include pigments in paints, inks and dyes, but not those in glass, plastics, and rubber
         Soldered Cans Include food, beverage, and other cans
         Consumer Electronics include circuit boards, picture tubes, TV and radio chassis, and plastics
         Collapsible Tubes are tubes of the type used for artists'paints.
         Glass Products include all uses except light bulbs and TV picture tubes

-------
            Figure 1-3. Lead in discards of products in MSW, 1970, 1986, and 2000.
Year
2000

1986

1970
              50,000    100,000    150,000    200.000    250,000    300,000
             All  others   El Pigments   D Cans
             Glass       M Electronics S Batteries
Plastics
Tons
                                         20

-------
 electronic components as reported by the Bureau of Mines, and reflects changes
 in the manufacturing processes.  Discards of lead from solder in consumer
 electronics were about 1,400 tons in 1970 (less than one percent of the
 total), and were about 76,000 tons in 1986 (about 3 percent of total). .These
 discards of lead are projected to decline to less than 1,000 tons and less
 than one percent of total discards by 2000.

             Leaded glass in television picture tubes is the major source of
 lead in consumer electronic products.   (According to the Bureau of Mines,  75
 percent of lead used in glass is used in picture tubes.)  Lead in the glass
 provides shielding from X-rays and otherwise enhances the qualities of the
 glass.   This source of lead in MSW has increased steadily since 1970,  and is
 projected to continue to do so (Table 1-1).   Discards of lead from glass in
 TVs were about 10,000 tons in 1970 (6 percent of total), and were about 52,000
 tons in 1986,  or 24 percent of total lead. These discards are projected to be
 84,000  tons,  or 30 percent of total,  in 2000 if present trends continue.

             Finally,  many steel chassis in television sets and radios  were
 coated  with terne metal (a lead and tin,alloy)  up until 1980.  This has never
 been a  major source of lead in MSW (less than one percent),  and is projected
 to  disappear as old television sets are phased out.

             It is of interest to note  that in 1986,  lead-acid batteries and
 lead in consumer electronics together  accounted for  92 percent of lead
 discards in MSW.

             Glass and Ceramic Products.   It was  possible to  quantify lead  in
 glass in television picture tubes and  light bulbs  separately (Chapter  2).
 Lead discards  in the  remaining products  in MSW were  quantified in total, but
 it  was  not  possible to determine separate end uses of  the  lead.   This  category
 of  discarded products  includes  glass containers  for  food, beverages, and
 miscellaneous  products such as  cosmetics; glass  and  ceramic  tableware  and
 cookware; mirrors;  optical  glasses; electronic products; enamels  for
 appliances  and other uses;  and miscellaneous  decorative  and  other uses.

            The major  uses  of leaded glass are in television picture tubes and
 light bulbs, as described elsewhere.  Other uses of  leaded glass include
 tableware and bifocal  lenses  in reading glasses.

            Lead  is a  component  in glazes and enamels used on glass
 containers, tableware, and cookware.  Enamels used in silk screening designs
 on  glass typically  contain 40 to 50 percent lead monoxide.  Lead is also used
 as  a colorant in  some  of these designs.

            These discards ranked Number 3 in 1986 at almost 8,000 tons and
 almost 4 percent ,of total lead discards.  In 1970 lead use in these glass
products ranked Number 6 at 3,500 tons and 2  percent of total.  This use is
projected to grow to 9,000 tons in 2000, or 3 percent of the total.
                                      21

-------
            Plastics.*  Discards of lead in plastic products did not rank in
the top six sources in 1970, but in 1986 plastics ranked fourth, and this is
projected to continue (Table 1-4).  Lead is used in two ways in plastics:  as
a component in compounds designed to act as heat stabilizers, primarily in
polyvinyl resins, and as a component in pigments used in a variety of plastic
resins.

            Discards of lead in plastic products has been growing, but this
source contributes a small portion of the total (Figure 1-3).  In 1970 lead in
plastic discards contributed 1,600 tons, about one percent of the total.  In
1986 lead in plastics comprised about 3,500 tons, less than 2 percent of
total.  Projections to 2000 show about 3,200 tons of lead in plastics being
discarded, slightly more than one percent of total.  The projected decline is
attributed to regulations on lead in certain products, such as toys and
furniture.

            Discards of lead in products made of plastics ranked as follows in
1986:  nonfood packaging (highest tonnage), miscellaneous durables, furniture,
miscellaneous nondurables, footwear, records, toys, housewares,  appliances,
and others.

            Soldered Cans.  In 1970, lead in solder .in cans and shipping
containers represented the Number 3 discard into MSW, but by 1986 this was the
Number 5 source of discards (Table 1-4).  The use of leaded solder in steel
food cans has declined dramatically, and soldered steel beverage cans have
virtually disappeared.  Use of leaded solder in general purpose cans, such as
aerosols, and in shipping containers has also declined.  Figure 1-3
illustrates this decline.

            Discards of lead in soldered cans were 24,000 tons,  or over 14
percent of total discards, in 1970.  In 1986, only 2,000 tons of lead were
discarded in soldered cans, representing less than one percent of total.
These discards are projected to be about 800 tons, much less than one percent
of total, in 2000.

            Pigments.  Discards of pigments in plastics, glass,  and rubber are
discussed in other sections.  The remaining pigments--those used in paints,
printing inks, textile dyes, and miscellaneous uses--are included in this
section.  These pigments ranked second  in discards of lead into MSW in 1970,
but  they are ranked Number 6 in 1986 (Table 1-4).  As illustrated in Figure 1-
3, use of lead in pigments has been in  decline, in large part due to concerns
about toxicity.

            Discards of lead in printing inks, once  an important source of
lead, have declined dramatically, from  19,000 tons in 1970 to less than 300
tons' in 1986.'  -Use of lead  in many kinds of paint has been regulated, also
leading to a decline in consumption.
 * Plastics  in consumer electronics  are  counted  in that category.
                                       22

-------
            Total discards of lead in these pigments was 30,000 tons in 1970,
or 16 percent of total lead discards.  This had declined to about 1,200 tons
in 1986--less than one percent of total.  The decline is projected to
continue, to about 700 tons in 2000, much less than one percent of the total.

            Light Bulbs.  Light bulbs are not a large source of lead in MSW,
but are of interest because they contain two sources of lead:  solder and
leaded glass.  While not ranked in the top six sources of lead in MSW in 1986,
light bulbs are projected to be the Number 5 source in 2000 (Table 1-4).

            In 1970 lead discarded into MSW from light bulbs was estimated to
be about 600 tons, less than one percent of the total.  By 1986 these discards
were over 900 tons; by 2000, over 1,000 tons. The percentage of total is not
projected to be over one percent in any case.

            Collapsible Tubes.  Collapsible tubes made of lead are used for
products such as artists' paints.  These tubes represented the Number 5 source
of lead in MSW in 1970 (Table 1-4), at over 9,000 tons and over 5 percent of
total discards.  By 1986, however, collapsible tubes contributed only about
600 tons, less than one percent of the total.  The decline is projected to
continue, to only 200 tons in 2000.

            Brass and Bronze Products.  Lead is a component of some brass and
bronze products, although most of these applications are not discarded into
MSW.  Brass and bronze items that may be discarded into MSW include locks,
keys, and miscellaneous products such as clock and watch parts, musical
instruments, etc.

            Discards of lead in brass and bronze products are a very small
part of total lead discards, estimated to be less than 500 tons per year since
1970 and declining.

            Foil Wine Wrappers.  Lead foil wine wrappers are used to cover the
corks on some wine bottles, although aluminum foil is replacing lead in many
instances.  Discards of. lead from this source are estimated to have declined
from about 600 tons in 1970 to about 200 tons in 1986, with a continued
decline to about 60 tons in 2000.

            Used Oil.  Gasoline additives were formerly an important use of
lead before the phase-out due to regulatory action began.  Some of the lead
from the additives enters used automotive oil, as does some lead from other
sources such as engine wear.  It was estimated that about 1,500 tons of lead
in used oil entered MSW in 1970, almost one percent of total discards.  By
1986 this had decreased to less than 200 tons, and by 2000, lead in used oil
is proj ected to be only 36 .tons.

            Rubber Products.  Most of the lead consumed by the rubber industry
is used in products like lead-sheathed hose that do not enter MSW.  It was
estimated that 100 tons or less of lead enters MSW in rubber products each
year. About 50 tons Of lead in rubber were discarded in 1970; about 70 tons in
1986; and a projected 80 tons in 2000.
                                      23

-------
 Cadmium in MSW

             Discards  of cadmium in products  in MSW from 1970  to  2000 are
 summarized in Tables  1-5 and 1-6.   Tables  1-7  and 1-8  show how products
 discarded into MSW rank in their contributions of cadmium.  A perspective  on
 the  changing importance of the various  sources of cadmium is  shown in Figure
 1-4.   Products containing cadmium  in MSW are discussed below  in  order of the
 relative rankings  in  1986 (Table 1-7).   (More  details  on these products  are
 contained in Chapter  3.)

             Household Batteries.   Household  batteries  (primarily rechargeable
 nickel-cadmium batteries)  have been the Number 1  source of cadmium in MSW
 since  1980 (Table  1-8).   Their growth has  been rapid--they were  the Number 5
 source of cadmium  in  1970.   Nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd)  batteries  have become very
 popular for uses such as portable  hand  tools,  small appliances such as vacuum
 cleaners and mixers,  portable television sets,  cameras,  etc.

             In 1970 discards of cadmium in household batteries were estimated
 at 53  tons,  or 4 percent of total  cadmium  discards.  By 1986  this number was
 930  tons,  or 52 percent of the total.   If  this  growth  continues  as projected,
 discards in 2000 will be over 2,000  tons,  or 76 percent of total  (Figure 1-4).

             Plastics.   Plastics have ranked  second  only to household batteries
 as a source of cadmium  in MSW since  1980 (Table 1-8).   Like lead,  cadmium  is
 used as  a stabilizer  in polyvinyl  chloride resin  and as  a pigment in a variety
 of resins.

             Discards  of cadmium in plastics  were  342 tons in  1970,  or almost
 29 percent of the  total  cadmium discards.  Cadmium  in plastics peaked at 595
 tons in 1978  (38 percent of total  discards),  then generally declined to  502
 tons in 1986  (28 percent of total  discards).   Projected  discards  are  384 tons
 in 2000,  or 14 percent  of  total (Figure 1-4).  The  decline is  generally
 attributed to  concern over toxicity and regulations on  the use of cadmium  in
 products  like  toys  and  furniture.

             In 1986,  plastic  products containing  cadmium in discards  ranked  as
 follows:   nonfood packaging (highest tonnage),  miscellaneous durables,
 miscellaneous  nondurables,  furniture, toys,  records, footwear, and others.

             It is of  interest to note that household batteries and plastics
 combined  accounted  for 80 percent  of cadmium discards into MSW in 1986.

            Consumer  Electronics.  Discards of cadmium-plated chassis in
 radios and television sets  gave consumer electronics the Number 3 ranking in
 cadmium discards in 1986.   This is a declining source of cadmium discards,
however,  ranking Number  1  in  1970 and Number  4 in 2000  (Table 1-8 and Figure
 1-3).  Cadmium was formerly used to plate the chassis or steel sheet that
holds electronic parts of the radio or TV together.  By 1980 this technology
has been replaced by printed circuit boards,  so this source  of cadmium is
declining as older equipment is replaced.
                                      24

-------
           Produces
                                             1970
                                                                                     Table 1-5
                                                          DISCARDS* OF CADMIUM IN PRODUCTS IN THE MUNICIPAL WASTE STREAM. 1970  to  2000
                                                          "           "~~~(In short tons)
                                                             1975
                                                                           1980
                                                                                          1985
                                                                                                         1986
                                                                                                                        1990
                                                                                                                                       1995
                                                                                                                                                     2000
to
Ul
APPLIANCES
   Cadmium plating
   Plastics
   Subtotal - appliances

CONSUMER ELECTRONICS
   Cadmium plating
   Plastics
   Subtotal - consumer
                •Icctronlcs

GLASS AND CERAMIC PROOUGTS

HOUSEHOLD BATTERIES
   Nickel-cadmium batteries
   Dry cell casings
     c.,|,( gen I-lioiisuliold bnttorles

PIGMENTS**

PLASTICS*
   Nonfood  packaging
   Clothing
   Footwear
   Miscellaneous  nondurables
   "  Subtotal-nondurable?
   Houseuares
   Toys
   Records
    Luggage
    Furniture
   Miscellaneous durables
      Subtotal-durables
      Subtotal-plastics

 RUBBER PRODUCTS**

 USED OIL

 MISCELLANEOUS PRODUCTS
    Electric blankets and
       heating pads
                                              47
                                              60
                                              107
                                              571
                                                0

                                              571

                                               32
                                               51
                                                2
                                               51

                                               79
                                              209
                                               15
                                               19
                                               11
                                              254
                                               19
                                               34
                                               12
                                                5
                                               10
                                                8
                                               88
                                              342

                                               10

                                                1
 39
 52
 91
330
  0

330

 27
209
  2
211

 65
133
  36
  70
  13
252
  56
109
  21
   6
  18
  21
231
483

  13

   1
 32
 77
109
176
  0

176

 23
996
  2
998

 56
 128
   8
  31
  37
 204
  33
  53
  65
   9
  77
  15
 252
 456

   8

   1
 25
 54
 79
158
  0

158

 25
996
  3
999

 59
 139
   2
  27
  43
 211
  21
  32
  22
   5
  35
  73
 188
 399
 24
 64
 88
161
  0

161

 29
927
  3
930

 70
 166
   2
  21
  51
 240
  31
  44
  29
   9
  46
 103
 262
 502

   6

   1
                   GRAND TOTAL
                                             1.196
                                                1,222
                                                                           1.828
                                 1


                             1.727
                                                                                             1,788
  19
  38
  57
  101
   36

  137

   32
1,305
    3
1,300

   78
  150
    2
   21
   46
  219
   20
   34
   12
    7
   23
   78
  174
  393

    8

     1
                                                                                                                            1


                                                                                                                        2,015
  12
  46
  58
   67
   41

  108

   34
1,709
    3
   85
  150
    2
   21
   46
  219
   22
   3}
    7
    6
   11
   82
  161
  380

    9

    1
                                                                1


                                                            2,388
    9
  48
  57
   20
   47

   67

   37
2.032
    3
2,035

   93
  ISO
    2
   21
   46
  219
   22
   33
    a
    7
   1)
   82
  16!
  384

    9

     I
                                                                1


                                                            2.634
              *  Discards  after  recycling.
              ** Except  for  pigments  in  glass, plastics, and rubber.
              +  Except  for  plastics  in  appliances  and consumer electronics.
              ** Assumed to  be all nontire  products.

-------
                                                                                 Table 1-6
                                                DISCARDS* OF CADHIIIH IH PRODUCTS TH TIIE HUDTCIPAt WASTE STREAK.
                                                                  (In percent of total cudalun discards)
                                                                                                                1970 TO 2000
to
APPLIANCES
   Cadnlun placing
   Plastics
    Subtotal-appliances

CONSUMER ELECTRONICS
   Cadmium placing
   Plastics
    Subtotal-consumer
              electronics

CLASS AND CERAMIC PRODUCTS

HOUSEHOLD BATTERIES
   Nickel-cadmium baccerles
   Dry cell casings
    Subtotal-household
                baccerlea

PIGMENTS**

PLASTICS+
   Nonfood packaging
   Clothing
   Footwear
   Miscellaneous nondurables
    Subcotal-nondurables
   Houseuares
   Toys
   Records
   Luggage
   Furniture
   Miscellaneous durables
    Subtotal-durables
    Subtotal-plastics

RUBBER PRODUCTS-H-

USED OIL

MISCELLANEOUS PRODUCTS
   Electric blankets and
     heating pads

     GRAND TOTAL
1970


 3.9
 5.0
 S.9


47.7
 0.0

47.7

 2.7


 4.3
 0.2

 4.4

 6.6


17.5
 1.3
 1.6
 0.9
21.2
 1.6
 2.8
 1.0
 0.4
 0.8
 0.7
 7.4
28.6

 0.8
 0.1
                                              0.1

                                            100,0
                                                            1975


                                                             3.2
                                                             4.3
                                                             7.4


                                                            27.0
                                                             0.0

                                                            27.0

                                                             2.2
17.1
 0.2

17.3

 5.3


10.9
 2.9
 5.7
 1.1
20.6
 4.6
 8.9
 1.7
 0.5
 1.5
 1.7
18.9
39.5
 1.1

 0.1
                0.1

              100.0
               1980


                1.8
                4.2
                6.0


                9.6
                0.0

                9.6

                1.3
54.5
 0.1

54.6

 3.1


 7.0
 0.4
 1.7
 2.0
11.2
 1.8
 2.9
 3.6
 0.5
 4.2
 0.8
13.8
24.9

 0.4
 0.1
                0.1

              100.0
 1985


 1.4
 3.1
 4.6


 9.1
 0.0

 9.1

 1.4


57.7
 0.2

57.8

 3.4


 8.0
 0.1
 1.6
 2.5
12.2
 1.2
 1.9
 1.3
 0.3
 2.0
 4.2
10.9
23.1

 0.3
 0.1
                0.1

              100.0
1986


 1 J
 3.6
 4.9


 9.0
 0.0

 9.0

 1.6


51.8
 0.2

52.0

 3.9


 9.3
 0.1
 1.2
 2.9
13.4
 1.7
 2.5
 1.6
 0.5
 2.6
 5J8
14.7
28.1

 0.3
 0.1
                0.1

              100.0
                                             1990


                                              0.9
                                              1.9
                                              2.8


                                              5.0
                                              1.8

                                              6.8

                                              1.6
64.8
 0.1

64.9

 3.9


 7.4
 0.1
 1.0
 2.3
10.9
 1.0
 1.7
 0.6
 0.3
 1.1
 3.9
 8.6
19.5

 0.4

 0.0
                0.0

              100.0
1995


 0.3
 1.8
 2.1


 0.7
 1.8

 2.5

 1.4


75.7
 0.1

75.8

 3.5


 5.6
 0.1
 0.8
 1.7
 8.2
 0.8
 1.2
 0.3
 0.3
 0.5
 3.1
 6.1
14.3

 0.3

 0.0
                0.0

              100.0
2000

 0.3
 i.a
 2.1


 0.7
 1.8

 2.5

 1.4


75.7
 0.1

75.8

 3.5

 5.6
 0.1
 0.8
 1.7
 8.2
 0.8
 1.2
 0.3
 0.3
 0.5
 3.1
 6.1
14.3
 0.3
 0.0
                0.0

              100.0
            *  Discards afcer recycling.
            ** Except for pigments in glass,  plastics and rubber.
            +  Except for plastics in appliances and consumer electronics.
            •H- Assumed to be all non-tire products.

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                                   Table 1-7

      DISCARDS* OF CADMIUM -IN PRODUCTS IN THE MUNICIPAL WASTE STREAM. 1986
                     RANKED IN ORDER OF- WEIGHT OF CADMIUM
                     (in short tons and percent of total)
 Products                                   Short Tons

HOUSEHOLD BATTERIES
   Nickel-cadmium batteries                    '  927
   Drycell casings                                 3
    Subtotal-household bcrteries                 930

PLASTICS**
   Nonfood packaging                             166
   Clothing                                        2
   Footwear        ,                               21
   Miscellaneous nondurables                      51
    Subtotal-nondurables  .                       240
   Housewares                                     31
   Toys                                           44
   Records                                        29
   Luggage                                         9
   Furniture                                      46
   Miscellaneous durables                •  -      103
    Subtotal-durables                            262
    Subtotal-plastics                            502

CONSUMER ELECTRONICS
   Cadmium plating                               161

APPLIANCES                             ;
   Cadmium plating                                24
   Plastics                                       64
     Subtotal-appliances                          88

PIGMENTS+                .                         70

GLASS AND CERAMIC PRODUCTS                        29

RUBBER PRODUCTS-H-                        ,"          6

USED OIL                                           1,

MISCELLANEOUS PRODUCTS    '   ,
•   Electric blankets and heating pads              1

GRAND TOTAL                                    1,788
                                                                       Percent
                                                                        51.8
                                                                         0.2
                                                                        52.0
                                                                         9.3
                                                                         0.1
                                                                        . 1.2
                                                                         2.9
                                                                        13.4>
                                                                         1.7
                                                                         2.5
                                                                         1.6
                                                                         0.5
                                                                         2.6
                                                                         5.8
                                                                        14.7
                                                                        28.1
                                                                         9.0


                                                                         1.3
                                                                         3.6.
                                                                         4.9

                                                                         3.9

                                                                         1.6

                                                                         0.3

                                                                         0.1


                                                                         0..1

                                                                       100.0
*  Discards after recycling.
** Except for plastics in appliances.
+  Except for pigments in glass,  plastics,
-H- Assumed to be all non-tire products.
                                           and rubber.
                                     27

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                                                                Table 1-8

                                       SOURCES OF CADMIUM IN MSW. RANKED BYTONNAGE, 1970TO 2000
RANK^^
^x^YEAR
No. 1
No. 2
No. 3
No. 4
No. 5
1970
Consumer
Electronics
Plastics
Appliances
Pigments
Household
Batteries
1975
Plastics
Consumer
Electronics
Household
Batteries
Appliances
Pigments
1960
Household
Batteries
Plastics
Consumer
Electronics
Appliances
Pigments
1966
Household
Batteries
Plastics
Consumer
Electronics
Appliances
Pigments
1990
Household
Batteries
Plastics
Consumer
Electronics
Pigments
Appliances
1995
Household
Batteries
Plastics
Consumer
Electronics
Pigments
Appliances
2000
Household
Batteries
Plastics
Pigments
Consumer .
Electronics
Appliances
1-0
00
       Consumer Electronics primarily Includes cadmium plating on televisions and radios, plus some plastics In later years.
       Plastics include all plastic uses except for appliances and consumer electronics.
       Appliances primarily include cadmium plating in.dishwashers and washing machines and plastics.
       Pigments includes pigments in paints. Inks, and dyes, but not those in glass, plastics and rubber.
       Household Batteries are primarily rechargeable nickel-cadmium household batteries.

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          Figure 1-4.  Cadmium in discards of products in MSW, 1970,  1986
                                   and  2000.
Year
1986
                                                                IS
                  1
               500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
                     All others  D  Pigments   E2 Appliances
                     Electronics E3  Plastics    M Batteries
3,000

 Tons
                                        29

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             In 1970,  cadmium discards  in  consumer electronics were  estimated
 at  571  tons,  or 48 percent of total  discards.  By 1986,  these discards were
 161 tons,  or 9 percent  of total; projected  2000 discards are 67  tons, or  2.5
 percent of total.

             Appliances.   There are two potential sources of cadmium in
 discarded  appliances:   cadmium plating and  plastics.  Appliances ranked Number
 4 in cadmium discards in  1986,  but are projected to drop to Number  5 by 1990
 (Table  1-8).

             Cadmium was formerly used to  plate nuts, bolts, and  screws in
 dishwashers  and washing machines because  of cadmium's corrosion-resistant
 properties.   As more  appliance parts are  made of plastic, however,  the use of
 cadmium plating has been  phased out.

             Appliances contributed an estimated 107 tons of cadmium to MSW in
 1970, or 9 percent of the total. By  1986, these discards had declined to  88
 tons, 5 percent of total.  A continued decline is projected, to 57 tons, or 2
 percent, in  2000.

             Pigments.  Cadmium in pigments  in glass, plastics,  and  rubber is
 discussed  in other sections.   It was not  possible to quantify the amounts of
 cadmium in other individual uses such as  printing inks,  textile dyes, and
 paints; these categories  are discussed collectively in this section.  These
 pigments ranked Number 5  in discards in 1986 (Table 1-8).

             Discards of cadmium in pigments have been relatively constant over
 the  study period (Figure  1-4).  In 1970,  discards were an estimated 79 tons,
 or about 7 percent of total discards of cadmium.   In 1986,  discards were 70
 tons, or 4 percent of total.   By 2000, projected discards will be 93 tons, or
 just over  3  percent of total.

             Glass and Ceramic  Products. There are three  uses for cadmium in
 glass and ceramic products:  as a pigment in the glass,  as  a glaze for glass
 or ceramic products, and  as  a phosphor, e.g.,  in fluorescent tubes.

             Glass and ceramic products account for a relatively minor portion
 of cadmium discards in MSW.  In 1970, 32 tons,  or less than 3  percent of
 total, were  discarded.  In  1986, 29 tons,  or less than 2 percent of total,
were discarded.  In 2000,   it is estimated that 37 tons,  or  less  than 2 percent
 of total, will be discarded.

            Rubber Products.  Small amounts  of cadmium are  used  in non-tire
 rubber products  such as hose and hot water bottles.   This is a very minor
 source of cadmium in MSW.   An estimated 10 tons of cadmium  were  discarded  in
rubber products  in 1970, less than one percent of the total.   In 1986,  an
estimated 6 tons were discarded, again less  than  one percent.  In 2000,
discards of 9 tons of cadmium in rubber products  are projected,  less than  one
percent of the total.
                                      30

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            Used Oil.  Studies have shown that small amounts of cadmium are
detected in used automotive oil.  It was therefore estimated that one ton of
cadmium per year is discarded into MSW with used oil.  This may overstate
these discards.

            Miscellaneous Uses.  Cadmium is used in very minor amounts in the
controls of electric blankets and heating pads.  It was estimated that one ton
of cadmium is discarded in these products each year.  This may overstate these
discards.

PRODUCTS CONTAINING BOTH LEAD AND CADMIUM

            Throughout this report, estimates of lead and cadmium discards in
products have been made separately.  There are a number of products, however,
that may often contain both metals in varying amounts.  Table 1-9 presents a
listing of these products in 1986. Those quantified include consumer
electronics, glass and ceramic products, plastics, pigments, rubber products,
and used oil.

            In addition, there are other products not quantified in Table 1-9
that may contain both lead and cadmium.  It is projected, for example, that
some consumer electronics discarded after 1986 will include plastics 'that may-
contain lead or cadmium.  Appliances are not listed here, but they may contain
pigments formulated with cadmium or lead.  Many products, especially
packaging, are made of composite materials, e.g., paper, plastic, and foil,
that could contain lead or cadmium in pigments.  It is very difficult,
therefore, to predict whether some products do or do not contain lead and/or
cadmium.

LEAD AND CADMIUM IN COMBUSTIBLE AND NONCOMBUSTIBLE PRODUCTS

            There has been considerable speculation as to whether the heavy
metals  in municipal waste combustor ash come from combustible or
noncombustible materials  (or both) in the incoming waste.  While this'study
was not designed to  address this  issue directly, some interesting observations
can be  derived from  the data series developed.

Lead in Combustible  and Noncombustible Products

            The relative  tonnages  of lead in combustible and noncombustible
products  in MSW are  shown in Figure 1-5.  The  noncombustible products
overwhelmingly predominate at  almost 98 percent  of  the total weight of lead.
The  reasons  for this are  illustrated in Figure 1-6:   lead-acid batteries and
consumer  electronics,  two relatively heavy products,  contribute most of the
lead in MSW.   Glass  products  and all other sources,  e.g.,  light bulbs and
soldered  cans,  account for the rest of  the lead.

             Sources  of lead  in combustible products  in MSW are illustrated in
Figure 1-7.   If all  of the noncombustible products were  removed from the
 incoming  waste at  an .incinerator (by deposits, preprocessing, or other
management methods),  most of the remaining lead  (71  percent) would be
                                       31

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                                 Table 1-9

              PRODUCTS CONTAINING BOTH LEAD AND CADMIUM.  1986
                              (In short tons)
 Products

 CONSUMER ELECTRONICS
   Circuit boards
   TV picture tubes
   TV and radio chassis
   Cadmium plating

      Subtotal - consumer
                 electronics

 GLASS AND CERAMIC PRODUCTS

 PLASTICS
   Nondurables
   Durables

      Subtotal  - plastics

 PIGMENTS

 RUBBER PRODUCTS
  Tires
  Non-tire products

     Subtotal - rubber products

USED OIL
Lead
 6,092
52,165
   279
58,536

 7,956


 1,678
 1.899

 3,577

 1,131


    48
    21

    69

  192
                    Cadmium
 _24


 24

 29


240
262

502

 70



_6

  6

  1
                                 32

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Figure 1-5.  Relative discards of lead in combustible and noncombustible products,
                                   1986.
                                        Combustibles 2.4%
                                        V^ "% <.-. ff >  <  %

                              Noncombustiblesli""  '"
                                        33

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Figure 1-6.  Sources of lead in  noncombustible  products,  1986

            Glass 3.8% .         ^ All Other 2.0%
                 Consumer
                 Electronics
     Figure 1-7. Sources of lead in combustible products, 1986.
              Used Oil
               3.85%
Rubber 1.4%
                               34

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contained in plastic products. , Other pigments in painted products or products
such as printed paper and dyed textiles would account for most of the rest (24
percent).   Other small contributors of lead include used oil and rubber
products.

Cadmium in Combustible and Noncombustible Products

            Noncombustible products also contribute the majority of cadmium in
MSW (64 percent), but not in such overwhelming amounts as is the case for lead
(Figure 1-8).   The primary source of cadmium in noncombustible products is
household (nickel-cadmium) batteries (81 percent). Figure 1-9 also illustrates
that consumer electronics contribute the second highest amount of cadmium in
noncombustible products (14 percent).   The remainder is contributed by
appliances and other products (e.g., electric blankets and heating pads).

            If all the cadmium in noncombustible sources, were removed from MSW
entering an incinerator, the cadmium in plastics would provide most of the
remainder (88 percent).  This is illustrated in Figure 1-10.  Pigments in
painted products, printed paper, and dyed textiles would contribute most of
the remainder of the cadmium (11 percent). Very small amounts would come from
rubber products and used oil in MSW.

Lead and Cadmium in Combustible and Noncombustible Products

            The data reported above can be combined in another way to show the
relative discards of lead and cadmium in combustible and noncombustible
products.

            Combined discards of lead and cadmium in noncombustible products
come overwhelmingly from the lead in products (Figure 1-11).  For both, metals
the primary source in this instance is batteries.

            For combined discards of lead and cadmium in combustible products,
lead still predominates, but not by such an overwhelming margin (Figure 1-12).
Lead contributes almost 89 percent of these discards; cadmium, 11 percent.
For both lead and cadmium, plastic products contribute the highest tonnage in
combustible products, while pigments in other products are the second largest
contributor.

THE .POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF RECYCLING

Lead-acid Batteries

            Recycling has been suggested as a way to reduce the amounts of ••.
lead and cadmium entering municipal waste combustors.  Only one of the lead or
cadmium-containing products currently identified is recycled in significant
amounts:  lead-acid SLI batteries.  This one product is extremely significant.
As noted earlier, lead-acid batteries contributed 65 percent of the lead
discards in MSW in 1986--138,000 tons.  If these batteries were not recovered
for recycling at significant rates (80 percent in 1986), up to 700,000
                                      35

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Figure  1-8.  Relative discards of  cadmium  in combustible and
              noncombustible products,  1986.
                              36

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Figure 1-9.  Sources of cadmium in  noncombustible products,
                            1986.
              Appliances
                2.5%
All Others
  2.2%
                 Consumer
                 Electronics
                   14.1%
  Figure  1-10.  Sources of cadmium in combustible products, 1986.
                                     Rubber and
                                        Oil 1.1%
                               37

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 Figure 1-11.  Relative discards of lead and  cadmium  in
       noncombustible products in MSW,  1986.
                              Cadmium 0.5%
Figure  1-12.  Relative discards of lead and cadmium in
         combustible products in MSW, 1986.
                        38

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additional tons of lead from lead-acid batteries would have been discarded in
1986.

            Historic discards and recycling of lead-acid batteries are
illustrated in Figure 1-13.  Recycling rates dropped as low as 52 percent in
the early 1980s (apparently due to low prices for lead and increased
regulations), and the figure illustrates that net quantities of batteries to
be disposed increased at that time.  Recycling obviously plays an important
role in management of these batteries.

Other Products

            No other recycling of lead or cadmium in products in MSW was
identified, although there may be some small exports of nickel-cadmium
batteries for recycling abroad.  Some recycling of products in MSW that
removes lead and cadmium from disposal in a landfill or incinerator as a by-
product rather than as a goal of the recycling activity was identified.*
These activities are discussed briefly in this section.  (More information can
be found in Chapters 2 and 3.)

            Paper Products.  A number of paper products are recovered for
recycling, including some that are printed with inks that could contain lead
or cadmium in the pigments.  In many cases, such as newspapers made into
boxboard or magazines made into roofing felt, the' inks tend to remain in the
recycled product.  Some paper products are, however, deinked before being
recycled into new products.  These include recovered newspapers that are
deinked before being made into new newsprint, and high grade recovered papers
like computer printout that are deinked before being made into a product like
paper towels.

            It was estimated that up to 49 tons of lead in printing inks could
have been removed by recjrcling of deinked papers in 1986.  Since use of lead
in printing inks was shown to be declining, removal of lead would also be
declining.  Data were not available to make similar estimates for cadmium in
printing inks.

            Solder in Cans.  The lead in soldered steel cans is removed from
the municipal waste stream when the cans are recovered for recycling, though
the lead itself is not recycled, but would become an industrial waste.  It was
estimated that 85 tons of lead were removed through recovery and recycling of
steel cans in 1986.  Since the use of leaded solder in steel cans is
declining, removal of lead in this manner is also declining.

            Rubber Products.  Although rubber is not recovered for recycling
in large quantities, some recycling of rubber tires does occur.  This has the
potential to remove from the waste stream any lead pigments or other chemicals
present in the rubber.  It was estimated that 3 tons of lead were removed from
* Lead or cadmium in these recycled products would either be incorporated
  into the new products or would become industrial waste, e.g., sludges
  from deinking papers.
                                      .39

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              Figure 1-13.  Discards of lead in SLI lead-acid batteries, 1970 to 2000.
  Tons
1,000,000
  900,000-
  800,000-
  700,000-
  600,000-
  500,000-
  400,000
  300,000
  200,000
  100,000
        0
        1970
1975
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000
                                   40

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the waste stream in this manner in 1986.  Since all cadmium in rubber was
assumed to be in non-tire products, no recovery of cadmium was estimated.

            Appliances.  There is cadmium plating in older model dishwashers
and washing machines.  If the ferrous metal in these appliances is recovered
for recycling, the cadmium is removed from the waste stream as well.  It was
estimated that 2 tons of cadmium were removed in this way in 1986.  This is a
declining source of cadmium in the waste stream.

            Glass Products.  Although it was not possible to quantify, there
are silk-screened designs that may contain lead and/or cadmium on many glass
containers.  Many glass containers are recycled, so some lead and cadmium is
removed from the waste stream in this manner.

            Plastics.  Recycling of plastics in the United States has been
minimal; it was estimated to be one percent in 1986. Further, most of the
plastic products recycled under existing programs have been polyethylene
terephthalate (PET) beverage bottles or high-density polyethylene (HOPE) milk
jugs.  Since lead and cadmium are not approved for use in food-contact
packaging, the metals would not be affected by this recycling. There is an
increasing amount of recycling of other plastic products, however, so some
lead and cadmium may be removed from the waste stream in this manner, now or
in the future.

            Summary.  Although precise estimates are not possible, probably
not more than one to 2 percent of lead in MSW (exclusive of lead in batteries)
is currently removed by recycling activities.  The amount of cadmium affected
by recycling is even smaller.

LIMITATIONS OF THIS REPORT

            While this report contains useful data on discards of lead and
cadmium in municipal solid waste, there are a number of limitations in its
application to the issue of lead and cadmium in municipal waste combustor ash.
Some of these limitations are discussed in this section.

Correlation of Characterization Data with Leachable Metals in Ash

            The purpose of this report was to characterize the sources of lead
and cadmium in municipal solid waste.  It is beyond the scope of this study to
identify the sources of leachable lead and cadmium in municipal waste
combustor ash.

Correlation of Characterization Data with Individual Samples of Ash

            This report contains data characterizing the lead and cadmium
content of products  defined as constituents of municipal solid waste. This
characterization may not correlate well with the input into any particular
combustion facility  at the time ash samples were taken.

            Management practices vary widely at municipal waste combustor
 (MWC)  facilities depending on many factors.  If the waste was pre-processed

                                      41

-------
before  combustion,  then many  of  the noncombustible materials that may  contain
lead or cadmium were probably removed.  Facility management also varies as to
whether large  items such  as appliances and furniture are excluded, and these
items are likely sources  of heavy metals.  If a facility has a small capacity
and small quantities of waste are handled at any given time, then the
opportunity to remove large noncombustible products is more frequent.

            There are also differences among facilities as to the mixtures of
residential and commercial wastes handled, with some facilities processing
almost  exclusively  one or the other.

Effects of the Combustion Process on Ash Characteristics

            This report characterized lead and cadmium in products that may
enter an incinerator.  Whether the metals leave the incinerator in the same
form that they enter is unknown.  For example, lead monoxide (PbO) is a very
common compound used in many  products--glass, batteries, pigments, etc.  The
melting point of lead monoxide is 1,630 degrees Fahrenheit, well within the
range of most municipal waste  combustors.  It is not known whether the PbO
would recombine with other elements in the MWC to form new lead compounds, but
it seems highly likely.

Lead and Cadmium in Other Wastes

            This study was specifically designed to characterize lead and
cadmium in municipal solid waste.  There are instances,  however,  when
incinerators that burn primarily MSW may receive and burn other wastes that
may contain these metals.   While it was not possible in this report to
quantify the amounts of those wastes,  nor to characterize them in terms of
lead and cadmium content,  some data were gathered in the course of this study
that indicate where lead and cadmium may occur in some  other wastes (Table 1-
10).  This partial listing illustrates the problems involved in identifying
the sources of lead and cadmium in the ash from municipal waste combustors.
                                     42

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                                  Table 1-10

            WASTES  OTHER THAN MSW THAT MAY CONTAIN  LEAD AND  CADMIUM

Nonhazardous Wastes                   Possible Sources of Lead and Cadmium
Municipal sludge

Construction and
demolition wastes
Industrial and
military wastes
Automotive and other
transportation wastes
Lead pipes, lead solder

Siding
Wall and ceiling tile
Structural steel
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe
Wire and cable coverings
Gutters and downspouts.
Conduit
Wallcoverings
Plumbing fittings and hardware
Pipes and solder
Light fixtures
Neon tubing
Some window glass
Enameled building panels
Flooring materials
Paint (especially older houses)
Caulking

Conveyor belts
Industrial and military batteries
Industrial and military electronics
Communications equipment
Electrical machinery
Storage tanks

Hosing
Automotive finishes       *
Upholstery and trim
Auto tops
Mufflers
                                      43

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                                   Chapter  1

                                  REFERENCES
1.  U.S. EPA, Office of Solid Waste.  Characterization of Municipal Waste
    Combustor Ashes and Leachates from Municipal Solid Waste Landfills.
    Monofills and Co-disposal Sites. .November 1987.                  ,  .  .

2.  U.S. EPA, Office of Solid Waste.,  Subtitle D Study.  Phase I Report.
    (EPA/530-SW-86-054).  October 1986.

3.  Smith, F. L.,  Jr.   A Solid Waste Estimation Procedure:   Material Flows
    Approach.  U.S. EPA, Office of Solid Waste.  (SW-147).   May 1975.
                                     44

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&EPA
    (.03-305)
   United States
   Environmental Protection
   Agency
   Washington, DC 20460


   Official Business
   Penalty for Private Use
   S300

-------