United States
                   Environmental Protection
                   Agency
National Risk Management
Research Laboratory
Cincinnati, OH 45268
                   Research and Development
EPA/600/SR-95/129    August 1995
vvEPA        Project Summary
                   Municipal  Solid  Waste  (MSW)
                   Combustor  Ash  Demonstration
                   Program "The  Boathouse"
                   Frank J. Roethel and Vincent T. Breslin
                    This report presents the results of a
                   research  program designed to exam-
                   ine the engineering and environmental
                   acceptability of using municipal solid
                   waste (MSW) combustor ash as an ag-
                   gregate substitute in the manufacture
                   of construction quality cement blocks.
                   Approximately 350 tons of MSW com-
                   bustor ash was  combined with Port-
                   land cement to form standard  hollow
                   masonry  blocks using conventional
                   block making technology. The result-
                   ant stabilized combustor ash (SCA)
                   blocks were used to construct a boat-
                   house on the campus of the University
                   at Stony Brook.
                    Periodically, over a 30-mo period, air
                   samples collected within the boathouse
                   were examined and compared to ambi-
                   ent air samples for the presence and
                   concentrations of suspended  particu-
                   lates,  particulate and  vapor  phase
                   PCDD/PCDF, volatile and semi-volatile
                   organic compounds and  volatile mer-
                   cury. Analyses of the air samples indi-
                   cate no statistical difference between
                   the air quality within the boathouse and
                   ambient   air samples.  Rainwater
                   samples  following contact with the
                   boathouse walls were collected  and
                   analyzed for the presence of trace ele-
                   ments. Results  show that the SCA
                   blocks retain contaminants of environ-
                   mental concern  within their  cemen-
                   titious matrix.  Soil samples were
                   collected prior to and following the con-
                   struction of the boathouse and the re-
                   sults  suggest  that  block  debris
                   generated  during the boathouse con-
                   struction was responsible for elevated
concentrations of trace elements in sur-
face soils. Engineering tests show that
the SCA blocks maintain their struc-
tural  integrity and possess compres-
sive  strengths  similar to standard
concrete blocks.
  This Project Summary was developed
by EPA's National Risk Management
Research Laboratory, Cincinnati, OH,
to announce  key findings of the re-
search project that is fully documented
in a separate report  of the same title
(see Project Report ordering  informa-
tion at back).

Introduction
  Since 1985, scientists at the Waste Man-
agement Institute (WMI) of the Marine Sci-
ences Research Center at the University
at Stony Brook have been assessing the
feasibility of using stabilized  MSW com-
bustor ash in  a  variety  of  marine and
terrestrial applications.  To date, two artifi-
cial reefs have been constructed on the
sea floor of  Long Island Sound  using
blocks of stabilized combustor ash. Over
the past six years, results showed there
was no release to the  environment of ei-
ther organic or inorganic constituents of
environmental concern  from the stabilized
combustion residue blocks placed in Con-
science Bay.
  A second series of  studies were initi-
ated at Stony Brook to assess the poten-
tial use of MSW combustor ash as an
aggregate substitute in the manufacture
of construction quality cement blocks.  Us-
ing combined ash from several  resource
recovery facilities, scientists manufactured
standard construction quality cement

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blocks that meet or exceed ASTM perfor-
mance standards.
  The third  series of studies  began in
1990  with the construction of  the boat-
house. This phase of the investigation fur-
thered the structural  testing of the  ash
blocks and  extended  the  scope of the
environmental and health impact assess-
ment in a terrestrial setting.  Research was
conducted to measure changes in  ash
block  chemistry, surrounding soil chemis-
try,  rain water chemistry, air quality within
the  boathouse, and to  evaluate  long-term
structural  performance of  the  stabilized
combined and bottom ash blocks.
  Results of this study lead to the manu-
facture of 14,000 stabilized ash blocks,
using  both bottom and  combined ash from
the  Westchester County waste  to energy
(WTE) facility, located in  Peekskill,  NY.
Block fabrication employed conventional
block  making machines currently used by
the  industry.
  This investigation was initiated follow-
ing  the completion of  construction  activi-
ties. The primary objectives of  this study
were to determine if:
  1)air quality within the boathouse was
    adversely  impacted  due to  the
    presence of the SCA blocks, and was
    substantially different  from outdoor
    ambient air samples;
  2) metals of environmental concern leach
    from  the SCA  blocks following  a
    rainfall event;
  3)concentrations   of  trace metals
    associated with the soils surrounding
    the  boathouse  become  elevated
    following the construction; and,
  4)weathering  effects adversely impact
    the structural integrity of  the  SCA
    blocks.

Boathouse Construction
  Approximately 100 tons of combined ash
and 250 tons of  bottom  ash  were  col-
lected from the  Westchester County  Re-
source Recovery Facility, Peekskill, NY in
spring  1990. The collected ash was pro-
cessed at an aggregate processing facility
on Long  Island to remove  ferrous metals
and achieve the necessary particle size
distribution for block fabrication.  Following
processing, the ash was  transported to
Barrasso &  Sons,  Islip Terrace, NY,  a
local cement block manufacturer, where
approximately 4,000 combined SCA blocks
and 10,000 bottom SCA blocks  were pro-
duced.
  The boathouse  measures  27  m in
length, 18 m in  width  and  7 m  in height.
The western and  northern exterior walls
were constructed using  bottom SCA blocks
while  the  eastern and southern exterior
walls  are composed   of combined  SCA
blocks. The interior of the structure  is di-
vided into five separate rooms. All interior
walls are constructed using bottom  SCA
blocks. The  boathouse is supported by
conventional concrete footings and pad.
  Due to the  impracticality of removing
SCA blocks  directly from the boathouse
walls for experimentation,  test walls  were
fabricated  using  both  bottom and  com-
bined SCA blocks remaining following con-
struction. Three walls were  constructed
one  using the  bottom ash blocks, a sec-
ond using the combined ash blocks and a
third  using conventional cement blocks that
were purchased from a local masonry sup-
plier.  Each wall was composed of 64
blocks, stacked 8 blocks high and 8 blocks
across and was located adjacent to the
boathouse.

Results and Discussion

Air  Quality Determinations
  Air samples were collected every  4 mo
over  a 2-yr period and analyzed for total
suspended  particulates,  particulate  and
vapor phase  PCDD/PCDF, volatile  mer-
cury  and volatile and semi-volatile organic
compounds.  All air quality analyses,  in-
cluding PCDD/PCDF determinations,  were
conducted by the New York State Depart-
ment of Health (DOH) in their laboratories
in Albany, NY.

Total Suspended Particulates
(TSP)
  Boathouse TSP concentrations ranged
from  4.8 |ig/M3 to  24 |ig/M3, with the ex-
ception of a spike of 168 |ig/M3 in  Sep-
tember 1992. The outdoor control site also
experienced  a spike in  particulate  con-
centration, of 120  |o,g/M3, during  Septem-
ber  1992, but  otherwise  maintained  a
concentration range from 8.4  |ig/M3  to 64
|ig/M3 (Table 1). On  average, suspended
particulate levels measured at the outdoor
control site were  higher than inside the
boathouse.  A two-way ANOVA compar-
ing the TSP data collected inside the  boat-
house to the outdoor control  site yielded
no statistical  differences  between these
two data sets. The  average  TSP loads,
both  inside the boathouse and at the out-
door  control site were well below the OSHA
criteria of 5 mg/M3

PCDD and PCDF
Concentrations
  Tables 2 and 3  present the particulate
and vapor phase concentrations of PCDDs
and PCDFs measured from Hi-volume air
sampling experiments conducted both in-
side  the  boathouse and  at  an outdoor
control site. For five of the six sampling
events, total  PCDD/PCDF concentrations
within the boathouse environment ranged
between 0.19 pg/M3 to 3.62 pg/M3. The
September  1992 sampling event resulted
in  a total PCDD/PCDF concentration of
17.86 pg/M3 At the control site, for five of
the six sampling events, total PCDD/PCDF
concentrations ranged between 0.70 pg/
M3 to 4.00 pg/M3. The May 1992 sampling
event resulted in a total PCDD/PCDF con-
centration of 22.5 pg/M3.
  The results of a two-way analysis of
variance comparing total individual  PCDDs
and PCDFs inside the boathouse to the
outdoor control  site with respect  to time
revealed that no statistically significant dif-
ference existed  for  any of the isomers.

Volatile Mercury
  Volatile mercury was detected during
one of the  six  sampling events for both
inside the boathouse and outdoor control
site.  The concentration of mercury mea-
sured inside the boathouse  during May
1992  was  58  ng/M3,  while the  outdoor
control site during January 1992 was mea-
sured at 87 ng/M3.  Detection limits varied
from 21-73  ng/M3 according to the  volume
of air sampled and sensitivity of the ana-
lytical procedures employed.
  No  significant difference was measured
for mercury concentrations measured  in-
side the boathouse and the  outdoor con-
trol site. All mercury concentrations were
well  below the NIOSH  toxicity  limit of
50,000 ng/M3.

Volatile Organic Compounds
  Two analytical  techniques were em-
ployed in evaluating the presence and con-
centration of volatile organic compounds
(VOCs). The USEPA canister method was
used  to  measure  13 VOCs  and  the
Porapak-N  method was used to measure
44 VOCs. Porapak-N is a cavity rich poly-
mer on which VOC's are easily trapped if
an air flow  is directed over  the material.
Between  these  two methods, the pres-
ence and concentration of 46 VOCs was
determined.
   Of the 46 VOCs  analyzed, 11 were
detected inside the boathouse and 12 were
detected at the  outdoor control site.  Ex-
cept for methylene chloride,  every com-
pound detected  inside the boathouse was
also observed at the outdoor control site.
The compounds detected both inside the
boathouse  and  outdoor control  site  in-
cluded  chloroform,  chloromethane,
tetrachloroethene, ethylbenzene, m/p-xy-
lene, o-xylene, carbon tetrachloride, ben-
zene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane,  and toluene.
Hexane was detected only at the outdoor
control site. Table 4 lists all the detected
VOC concentrations for both the canister
and Porapak-N  sampling methods.

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Table 1. Total Suspended Particulate Concentrations
                                         Concentration (\ig/Nr)
Sampling Events
Jan-92
May-92
Sept-02
Jan-93
May-93
Sept-93
Inside Boathouse
8.9
24
168
4.8
11
6.8
Outside Boathouse
44
61
120
64
NA"
8.4
 May 93 control sample was not available due to analytical problems.
Table 2. PCDD/PCDFConcentrations (pg/M3) Measured Within the Boathouse
                                         Inside Boathouse
Analyte
2378 TCDD
12378 PCDD
123478 HxCDD
123678 HxCDD
123789 HxCDD
1234678 HpCDD
12346789 OCDD
2378 TCDF
12378 PCDF
23478 PCDF
123478 HxCDF
123678 HxCDF
234678 HxCDF
123789 HxCDF
1234678 HpCDF
1234789 HpCDF
12346789 OCDF
OTHER TCDD
OTHER PCDD
OTHER HxCDD
OTHER HpCDD
OTHER TCDF
OTHER PCDF
OTHER HxCDF
OTHER HpCDF
TOTAL
Jan-92
<0.04
<0.04
<0.06
<0.06
<0.05
0.151
1.05
<0.03
<0.03
<0.04
<0.03
<0.04
<0.04
<0.04
0.077
<0.07
0.156
<0.04
<0.04
0.138
0.167
0.121
0.201
0.16
0.032
2.903
May-92
<0.05
<0.07
<0.12
<0.11
<0.11
<0.17
0.762
<0.04
<0.05
<0.06
<0.06
<0.06
<0.08
<0.07
<0.10
<0.17
<0.19
<0.05
<0.07
<0.11
0.284
0.328
0.225
0.182
<0.10
3.621
Sep-92
<0.013
0.02
<0.007
0.026
0.02
0.17
0.55
1.1
0.89
0.61
0.41
0.19
0.025
0.007
0.11
0.026
0.094
0.089
0.023
0.054
0.16
6
6.8
10.68
0.044
17.86
Jan-93
<0.001
<0.001
0.002
<0.003
<0.005
0.015
0.23
0.007
<0.003
<0.004
<0.007
<0.003
<0.002
<0.002
0.015
<0.002
0.016
0.003
<0.002
<0.002
0.082
0.01
<0.002
0.011
0.003
0.186
May-93
<0.003
<0.003
<0.005
<0.005
<0.004
0.064
0.23
0.014
0.007
<0.002
0.003
<0.003
<0.003
<0.003
0.019
<0.009
<0.010
<0.003
<0.003
0.019
0.046
0.071
0.03
<0.003
<0.003
0.361
Sep-93
0.007
<0.006
0.01
<0.009
0.008
0.076
0.25
0.02
0.006
0.01
0.011
0.008
0.009
0.008
0.023
0.011
0.028
0.007
<0.006
0.025
0.114
0.079
0.02
0.023
0.007
0.502
  Eight of the twelve compounds detected
were greater inside the boathouse than
the outdoor control site. It is generally the
case that observed  VOCs indoors are
greater than  measured outdoors.  More
importantly, 10 of the 11 compounds ob-
served inside the  boathouse  were also
detected  at the outdoor control site, indi-
cating the major  factors influencing VOC
content in the air were the same for both
sampling sites.

Rain Water Evaluations
  Rain water sampling  consisted of four
sample types; bottom ash blocks (BA),
combined ash blocks (CA), cement blocks,
and a blank. Two replicates of each of
these  four sample types were collected
during each of the eight sampling events,
distributed over a 29-mo period. Immedi-
ately following sample collection, the  pH
and volume of the rain water samples
were recorded prior to chemical analyses.
Chemical analyses consisted of measur-
ing the concentration of calcium, cadmium,
copper, and lead in the rainwater samples.

Rain Water pH
  The pH was measured to ascertain the
degree of influence the ash blocks may
have had on rain water chemistry. The pH
of the BA and CA rain samples decreased
from 10.21 to 6.7 and 10.3 to 6.2, respec-
tively, while the cement rain samples de-
creased from 9.5 to 6.7 following 29-mo
of block exposure (Table 5). Although a
decrease in pH was measured over time,
the  measured  decrease in  pH for the  BA
and CA rain water  samples was  not uni-
form.  During  this period  the blank rain
sample pH ranged from 4.9 to 6.9.

Rain Water Chemistry
  Rain water chemistry was evaluated to
determine the extent of inorganic leaching
from the  ash  blocks. The rain water
samples were  each analyzed for a repre-
sentative sub-set of the elements  mea-
sured in the ash blocks including calcium,
copper, cadmium, and  lead (Table 6).
  Results  of a two-way ANOVA  showed
that the calcium concentration in the ce-
ment block rain water samples was statis-
tically greater than the  BA, CA,  and  blank
rain water samples. Calcium content of
the  BA and CA rain water samples was
not  statistically different from the  blank
rain water samples. Calcium in  the ce-
ment  rain samples  ranged from 9.5 to
25.6 mg/L, whereas the BA, CA and  blank
samples  ranged from 0.3 to 1.9 mg/L,
with one outlyer of 12.9 mg/L.
  The  results of  a  two-way  ANOVA
showed  that  no significant  difference in
cadmium concentration existed  between
the  ash  block and  blank rain water
samples. Cadmium content of the CA block
rainwater ranged from <0.3 to 2.1  |ig/L,
while the cement block rain water ranged
from <0.3 to 2.6 jag/L
  Copper  in the cement and blank rain
water samples were measured at <0.03
mg/L for every sampling event.  Copper
concentration in the BA rain water ranged
from 0.51 to 0.70 mg/L, while the  CA rain
water ranged  from <0.03 to 0.30 mg/L.
  The BA rain sample collected in May
1992 had a lead concentration of 17.9 |ig/
L. All remaining rain water samples were
below the instrumentation  detection limit
of <2.5  |ig/L.  The single  detected lead
value  of  17.9  |ig/L value surpassed the
USEPA drinking water limit for lead  of 15

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Table 3. PCDD/PCDF Concentrations (pg/M3) Measured
                                    Outside Boathouse - Control Site
Analyte
2378 TCDD
12378 PCDD
123478 HxCDD
123678 HxCDD
123789 HxCDD
1234678 HpCDD
12346789 OCDD
2378 TCDF
12378 PCDF
23478 PCDF
123478 HxCDF
123678 HxCDF
234678 HxCDF
123789 HxCDF
1234678 HpCDF
1234789 HpCDF
12346789 OCDF
OTHER TCDD
OTHER PCDD
OTHER HxCDD
OTHER HpCDD
OTHER TCDF
OTHER PCDF
OTHER HxCDF
OTHER HpCDF
TOTAL
Jan-92
<0.04
<0.05
<0.07
<0.07
<0.07
0.243
1.21
<0.04
0.079
0.051
0.077
0.049
<0.05
<0.05
0.139
<0.09
0.172
<0.04
<0.05
0.205
0.249
0.162
0.458
0.246
0.044
4.004
May-92
<0.09
<0.13
<0.23
<0.22
<0.21
<0.36
0.847
1.067
1.006
0.496
0.267
<0.12
<0.14
<0.14
<0.19
<0.32
<0.38
<0.090
<0.130
<0.220
<0.460
7.914
6.392
0.885
<0.190
22.49
Sep-92
<0.028
0.002
<0.003
0.006
<0.005
0.067
0.68
0.033
0.006
0.009
0.013
<0.008
0.009
0.001
0.045
0.009
0.096
0.055
0.027
0.046
0.063
0.197
0.077
0.046
0.009
0.764
Jan-93
<0.016
<0.003
<0.011
0.029
0.032
0.29
1.57
0.052
0.016
0.035
0.05
0.018
0.022
0.007
0.11
0.011
0.12
0.032
0.011
0.059
0.3
0.058
0.089
0.053
0.079
1.383
May-93
<0.012
<0.013
<0.018
<0.017
<0.015
0.094
0.32
0.033
0.018
0.023
<0.010
<0.01
<0.012
<0.011
0.027
<0.028
<0.046
<0.012
<0.013
0.049
0.086
0.055
0.069
0.026
<0.003
0.70
Sep-93
<0.014
<0.018
<0.027
<0.025
<0.023
0.16
0.54
0.028
0.016
0.029
0.028
0.022
0.027
<0.015
0.14
0.026
0.11
<0.014
<0.018
0.15
0.21
0.152
0.115
0.103
0.034
1.394
Table 4. Range of VOC Concentrations
Analyte
ug/M3
Hexane
Chloroform
Chloromethane
Methylene Chloride
Tetrachloroethene
Ethylbenzene
M/P-Xylene
O-Xylene
Carbon Tetrachloride
Benzene
1, 1, 1 -Trichloroethane
Toluene
Detection
Method
Canister
Porapak-N
Canister
Canister
Porapak-N
Canister
Canister
Canister
Porapak-N
Can/P-N
Porapak-N
Can/P-N
Inside
Boathouse

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Table 6. Metal Concentrations in Rain Water Samples
Analyte
Cd (g/L)
Cu (mg/L)
                  Treatment
Bottom ash
Combined Ash
Cement
Blank

Bottom ash
Combined Ash
Cement
Blank
                                                                              Concentration
                                        Jan 92
                                 May 92
                       Sep92
                                                                          Jan 93
                                   Sep93
                                                                                                 Dec 93
                                                                                                             Mar 94
<0.3
<0.3
<0.3
<0.3

0.6 (0.2)
0.3 (0.02)
<0.03
<0.03
5.1(5.1)
2.1 (0.6)
<0.3
<0.3

0.7(0.6
0.1 (0.02)
<0.03
<0.03
<0.3
<0.3
2.6 (3.3)
<0.3

0.54 (0.69
0.04 (0.02)
<0.03
<0.03
1.4 (1.4)
1.7(0.7)
<0.3
1.2 (1.3)

0.51 (0.7)
<0.03
<0.03
<0.03
<0.3
<0.3
<0.3
0.3 (0.2)

0.55(0.7)
0.05(0.01)
<0.03
<0.03
2.1 (1.9)
<0.3
<0.3
<0.3

<0.03
<0.03
<0.03
<0.03
<0.3
<0.3
<0.3
<0.3

<0.03
<0.03
<0.03
<0.03
                                                          May 94
Ca (mg/L)



Bottom ash
Combined Ash
Cement
Blank
2.5(0.1)
3.0(0.7)
11.2 (4.7)
1.9 (1.6)
1.8 (0.4)
4.1(1.1)
10.6 (2.6)
0.3(0.1)
4.7(0.4)
6.0 (1.9)
22.2 (4.4)
12.9 (17.2)
2.6(0.7)
3.7(0.1)
25.6 (3.9)
0.4 (0.0)
2.2 (1.0)
4.1 (0.7)
15.4 (6.3)
1.7(0.6)
6.7(0.8)
5.1(1.4)
9.5 (0.8)
1.4 (0.2)
7.6 (0.6)
9.2 (2.8)
21.7(1.4)
0.5(0.0)
10.2 (2.9)
24.9 (2.5)
10.2 (0.9)
0.6 (0.8)
<0.3
<0.3
<0.3
<0.3

<0.03
<0.03
<0.03
<0.03
Pb (g/L)



Bottom ash
Combined Ash
Cement
Blank
<2.5
<2.5
<2.5
<2.5
17.9 (23.5)
<2.5
<2.5
<2.5
<2.5
<2.5
<2.5
<2.5
<2.5
<2.5
<2.5
<2.5
<2.5
<2.5
<2.5
<2.5
<2.5
<2.5
<2.5
<2.5
<2.5
<2.5
<2.5
<2.5
<2.5
<2.5
<2.5
<2.5
Table 7. Mean and Standard Deviation Range of Metal Concentrations (fig/g) Measured in Soil Samples
Analyte   Treatment     Soil Depth
                                        Pre-Boathouse
                                                                  Post-Boathouse
Ca Bottom Ash 2
8
14
20
Combined Ash 2
8
14
20
Control 2
8
14
20
Not Determined
Not Determined
Not Determined
Not Determined
Not Determined
Not Determined
Not Determined
Not Determined
Not Determined
Not Determined
Not Determined
Not Determined
2660 (1650) - 46300 (31300)
610 (40) - 1880 (2120)
210 (50) - 720 (440)
160 (15) - 600 (180)
300 (260) - 14600 (1160)
250 (180) - 1550 (280)
170(190)- 1600(1180)
150 (100) - 810 (160)
250 (20) - 380 (50)
105 (15) -410 (60)
100 (60) - 270 (50)
50 (20) - 220 (90)
Cd      Bottom Ash
       Combined Ash
          Control
Cu       Bottom Ash
       Combined Ash
          Control
        2            <0.01 - 0.03 (0.01)         0.19 (.03) - 0.90 (0.27)
        8             Not Determined          0.11 (.03) - 0.99 (.021)
        14            Not Determined          0.05 (.03) - 2.33 (2.58)
        20           <0.01 - 0.03 (0.01)         .045 (.01) - 1.17 (0.75)
        2            <0.01 - 0.24 (0.02)          0.14 (.07) - 1.54 (0.8)
        8             Not Determined          0.12 (0.04) - 1.47 (0.85)
        14            Not Determined          0.095 (.05) - 0.95 (0.5)
        20        <0.03 (0.01)-0.05 (0.04)        0.23 (0.2) - 0.98 (0.8)
        2            <0.01 - 0.08 (0.01)         0.09 (0.02) - 0.67 (1.0)
        8             Not Determined           0.11 (0.1) - 0.67 (0.5)
        14            Not Determined          0.06 (0.03) - 0.91 (1.0)
        20           <0.01-0.11 (0.03)        0.044 (0.009) - 0.78 (0.36)

        2           6.5 (0.3) - 17.4 (0.1)         10.4 (4.0) - 100 (140)
        8             Not Determined           4.8 (0.9) - 49.1 (55)
        14            Not Determined           4.3 (.05) - 25.5 (5.2)
        20           5.8 (0.2) - 6.8 (0.3)          4.7 (0.4) - 27.5 (20)
        2            5.8).6)-7.1 (1.2)           8.8 (6.3) - 100 (74)
        8             Not Determined           6.2 (3.0) - 46.1 (19)
        14            Not Determined           4.5 (6.2) - 50.3 (46)
        20           3.5 (0.2) - 6.8 (0.3)          5.1 (5.6) - 26.0 (3.6)
        2            6.5 (0.9) - 7.3 (0.6)          5.8 (1.7) - 14.9 (3.4)
        8             Not Determined           6.3 (1.0) - 16.6 (6.8)
        14            Not Determined           4.8 (1.0) - 12.5 (0.50
        20           4.2 (0.1) - 4.3 (0.3)          3.3 (1.0) - 19.9 (21)
                                                       (continued)
                                                   cadmium were  present in trace amounts,
                                                   whereas silver  and selenium were  never
                                                   detected.

                                                   Chemical Composition of Ash
                                                   Blocks
                                                     The metal  content of the  bottom and
                                                   combined  ash  samples (Table  8) were
                                                   generally greater  than the  BA  and  CA
                                                   blocks (Table  9).  This  concentration  dif-
                                                   ferential resulted  from a  dilution  effect
                                                   caused  by  the addition of  Portland  ce-
                                                   ment and  sand to the ash  during  block
                                                   fabrication.  The BA and CA  blocks con-
                                                   tained 55% and  64%  ash  respectively.
                                                   The concentration  of  inorganic  constitu-
                                                   ents measured in  the  ash blocks should
                                                   have equaled  either 55%  or 64% of the
                                                   inorganic material  measured in  the ash
                                                   sand samples,  plus any additional contri-
                                                   bution from the sand  and  cement com-
                                                   prising 45% and 36%  of the  BA and  CA
                                                   blocks respectively. The metal concentra-
                                                   tions measured  in the control  cement
                                                   blocks (Table  10) were used to  roughly
                                                   estimate the  contribution  of the ash  ce-
                                                   ment fractions of the BA and CA blocks.
                                                     The measured concentrations in the BA
                                                   blocks for  arsenic, magnesium,  manga-
                                                   nese,  sodium,  and zinc,  and in  the  CA
                                                   blocks for arsenic, calcium,  iron, and  nickel
                                                   did not agree with the  calculated concen-
                                                   trations.  The  remaining nine metal con-
                                                   centrations  in the BA and CA blocks were
                                                   within expected concentrations.
                                                     The differential  between the expected
                                                   and actual ash block metal concentrations
                                                   is  an artifact of the non-homogeneity of
                                                   the block mixes. The machinery which fed

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Table 7, Continued
Analyte  Treatment
Soil Depth
                                     Pre-Boathouse
                                                            Post-Boathouse
Pb Bottom Ash 2
8
14
20
Combined Ash 2
8
14
20
Control 2
8
14
20
Zn Bottom Ash 2
8
14
20
Combined Ash 2
8
14
20
Control 2
8
14
20
6.7(0.5)- 13.0(6.2)
Not Determined
Not Determined
7.9(0.2)- 11.0(2.7)
7.0 (1.0) - 7.5 (0.9)
Not Determined
Not Determined
6.0 (0.3) - 9.9 0.2)
21.0 (1.6) - 40.0 (3.3)
Not Determined
Not Determined
6.4 (0.2) -2 1.0 (1.3)
17.0 (0.40) - 19.0 (0.9)
Not Determined
Not Determined
17.0 (0.4) - 18.0 (4.3)
13.0 (1.6) - 55.0 (14.6)
Not Determined
Not Determined
15.0 (0.5) - 19.0 (0.4)
20.0 (1.4) - 23.0 (1.0)
Not Determined
Not Determined
14.0(0.4)- 16.0(1.1)
17.2 (11. 6) -40.6 (37.6)
5.6 (1.5) -52.3 (40.7)
6.2 (1.5) - 15.0 (9.5)
6.2(1.1)- 14.2(5.2)
13.4 (4.3) - 41.3 (17.4)
7.6 (0.5) - 19.6 (17.5)
3.6 (2.0) -26.2 (17.9)
4.5(0.3)- 16.8(12.9)
9.4 (8.4) -23.7 (1.1)
12.1 (4.0) - 20.9 (5.9)
5.6(1.9)- 11.7(2.2)
4.6 (4.4) - 6.8 (3.4)
53.0 (23) - 170 (21)
15.7 (24) -46.6 (12)
8.5 (2.1) - 48.6 (37)
16.5 (2.8) - 74.9 (80)
23.0 (7.2) - 140 (85)
17.8 (2.0) - 75.3 (20)
14.0(5.7) -51.0(11)
17.0 (0.2) -41.1 (11)
17.1 (12) -28.7 (2.8)
14.2 (9.3) - 31.2 (2.5)
13.5 (16) -29.4 (8.7)
10.8 (1.4) - 20.9 (2.5)
TableS, Mean and Std. Dev. Concentration of Metals Measured in MSW Combustor Ash
 Analyte ([ig/g)
                           Bottom Ash
                                                           Combined Ash
Fe
Ca
Al
Na
Mg
K
Zn
Pb
Cu
Ba
Cr
Mn
Ni
As
Cd
Ag
Se
89100 (15400)
64700 (7250)
51700(3200)
47800 (1850)
10500 (400)
7500 (60)
6080 (220)
3260 (750)
2200 (340)
730 (65)
250 (10)
130 (10)
130 (20)
20.4 (3.2)
26.5 (3. 1)
<5
<19
80200 (1900)
72000 (3340)
5200 (3700)
37500 (750)
11800(310)
11100(400)
5370 (120)
4070 (120)
1600 (330)
870 (45)
220 (40)
930 (30)
140 (20)
<25
59.4 (10)
<5
<25
the constituents (sand,  ash, cement, and
water) during block fabrication lacked the
precision required to make each  block
chemically identical. Concrete block manu-
facturing does not require identical chemi-
cal composition.  The boathouse blocks
were  manufactured  in twelve  separate
batches, which added to the chemical de-
viance between blocks. Variability in the
block mixes was further demonstrated by
large standard deviations and concentra-
tion differences between samples encoun-
tered in  block chemistry.
                     Trends Observed for the Block
                     Metal Concentrations
                       In the  BA  blocks,  calcium, chromium,
                     sodium, and aluminum displayed concen-
                     tration ranges that consistently overlapped
                     each other for every sampling event.
                       In the  CA  blocks, lead,  iron,  magne-
                     sium, calcium, cadmium, chromium,  po-
                     tassium, sodium, manganese, barium, zinc,
                     and aluminum displayed overlapping con-
                     centration ranges for each sampling event.
                     Nickel  concentrations in the CA  blocks
                     during November  1993 were greater than
measured from November  1991  to  May
1993 (Table 8).
  Of the seventeen metals measured, only
arsenic and copper appeared to decrease
with time in  both the BA and CA blocks.
Ranges are discussed in the full report.

Block Compressive Strengths
  Engineering studies conducted over a
period of 30 mo show that the ash blocks
have maintained their structural integrity
possessing compressive strengths equal
to conventional cement blocks. The com-
pressive strengths of all BA, CA and  con-
trol blocks are outlined in the full report.

Conclusions
  Both bottom and combined MSW com-
bustor ash, when combined with Portland
cement, can be successfully stabilized into
conventional  construction quality cement
blocks. The  construction of a boathouse
on the  campus of the State University of
New York demonstrated the potential for
this utilization strategy.  Engineering stud-
ies  conducted over  a  period of 30 mo
show that the ash blocks have maintained
their structural integrity possessing com-
pressive  strengths  equal to conventional
cement blocks.
  Air  quality investigations  demonstrate
that within the boathouse the concentra-
tions of suspended  particulates, PCDD/
PCDF,  volatile organic compounds  and
volatile mercury are statistically similar to
ambient air.
  The  pH and Ca content  of rain water
increased following contact with the stabi-
lized ash blocks. Trace amounts of  cop-
per were measured  following rain water
contact with  bottom ash blocks, but these
concentrations were below public drinking
water standards.
  Enrichment in the  inorganic content of
surface  soils was  observed when  com-
pared to  control site  soils.  Given the lim-
ited leaching of  elements from the ash
blocks  surface soil elemental enrichment
is attributed  to ash block debris resulting
from the construction of the boathouse.
  Measurements of the chemical compo-
sition  of  the ash blocks reveal  a  non-
homogeneous mix of reactants (ash, sand,
Portland cement).  The machinery used in
the  manufacture  of the ash  blocks lacks
the precision to consistently blend the re-
actants  in  identical  fashion. Numerous
batches, each potentially having a slightly
different ratio of ingredients, were required
in fabricating the nearly 14,000 blocks  used
in the construction of the boathouse. The
data suggest that each batch was suffi-
ciently  different in its chemistry to  render
non-conclusive any  evaluation  of  block

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Table 9. Mean and Standard Deviation of Inorganic Concentrations (gig) Measured in Stabilized Ash Blocks
Pre-Treatment Post-Treatment
Analyte
Block Type
Nov91
May 92
Nov92
May 93
Nov93
Major Metals
Ca

Fe

Al

Na

Mg

K

Zn

Pb

BA
CA
BA
CA
BA
CA
BA
CA
BA
CA
BA
CA
BA
CA
BA
CA
79300
60100
81100
38200
30900
38600
16000
35000
8600
8200
7500
7700
5300
3200
2800
2300
(6200)
(7300)
(7300)
(1900)
(2200)
(7200)
(2500)
(17300)
(680)
(340)
(690)
(190)
(860)
(240)
(380)
(290)
70500
71900
31700
23800
24500
29400
13600
12400
5100
8000
5100
7500
1400
3200
1800
2100
(2100)
(1600)
(3600)
(7700)
(830)
(660)
(380)
(750)
(170)
(290)
(340)
(340)
(140)
(140)
(510)
(320)
73400
74800
33700
23200
24100
29300
12400
11800
5600
8400
4900
7700
1200
3200
1500
2100
(4300)
(3700)
(1400)
(8400)
(1300)
(1000)
(220)
(650)
(270)
(290)
(310)
(320)
(300)
(270)
(430)
(250)
68700
61200
37400
26500
27000
30000
15900
10000
4900
11400
5500
8600
1700
3600
1600
2100
(7000)
(11900)
(220)
(9100)
(1000)
(1000)
(4000)
(2100)
(1500)
(3100)
(890)
(2100)
(150)
(320)
(360)
(370)
66800
69800
39300
41100
NA
NA
NA
NA
7300
11700
5600
7200
3000
5800
1400
2400
(9900)
(8600)
(7400)
(8100)




(730)
(1400)
(320)
(420)
(350)
(1200)
(240)
(350)
Minor Metals
Cu

Mn

Ba


Cr

Ni

Cd

As

Ag

Se

BA
CA
BA
CA
BA
CA

BA
CA
BA
CA
BA
CA
BA
CA
BA
CA
BA
CA
830
1200
760
550
630
430

70.2
77.9
100
45.0
27.1
33.3
21.0
24.3
<0.1
<2.2
<0.2
<2.2
(250)
(400)
(60)
(60)
(70)
(30)

(10.8)
(3.8)
(10.0)
(3.9)
(6.1)
(1.6)
(4.7)
(4.2)




720
720
530
520
250
350

70.8
86.0
30.0
55.0
10.3
33.5
19.8
47.7
<2.2
<2.2
<2.2
<2.2
(260)
(80)
(30)
(20)
(20)
(20)
Trace
(15.1)
(15.1)
(4.9)
(11.0)
(1.1)
(1.4)
(11.1)
(13.6)




650
810
550
530
280
370
Metals
75.1
80.6
34.0
45.0
11.5
35.2
<4.1
12.2
<2.2
<2.2
<2.2
<2.2
(170)
(100)
(40)
(20)
(40)
(40)

(6.4)
(3.4)
(5.0)
(7.0)
(1.8)
(2.4)

(0.7)




690
740
570
550
420
600

86.8
110
26.0
40.0
8.9
32.9
<4.1
5.5
<2.2
<2.2
<2.2
<2.2
(120)
(150)
(30)
(50)
(50)
(70)

(24.5)
(35.3)
(4.2)
(2.9)
(1.3)
(1.1)

(1.4)




510
500
500
550
380
520

77.2
74.7
120
35.2
11.9
35.2
4.9
8.9
<2.2
<2.2
<2.2
<2.2
(180)
(160)
(100)
(70)
(140)
(120)

(7.0)
(6.8)
(15.4)
(10.1)
(2.1)
(10.1)
(2.6)
(3.1)




Table 10,  Mean and Std. Dev. Concentration of
         Metals Measured in Control Blocks
 Analyte             Concentration(g/g)
Ag
Al
As
Ba
Ca
Cd
Cr
Cu
Fe
K
Mg
Mn
Na
Ni
Pb
Se
Zn
<1.1
32300(11100)
<5
190 (50)
23000 (6900)
<10
7.8 (1.3)
24 (12)
14500 (810)
5800 (1900)
1100(380)
170 (10)
28900 (3200)
8.6(2.1)
<0.25
<2.2
56 (13)
chemistry alterations that may occur as a
result of weathering.
  To  date,  no adverse environmental or
structural impacts have been observed in
the boathouse due to the  use of MSW
combustor ash as an aggregate substitute
in the cement blocks.
  The full  report was  submitted  in
fulfilment of Cooperative Agreement  No.
CR818172-01-0, by the Research  Foun-
dation of the State University of New York
under the sponsorship of  the U.S. Envi-
ronmental Protection Agency.

-------
 Frank J. Roethel and Vincent T. Breslin are with the Waste Management
   Institute, a division of the Marine Sciences Research Center, State University
   of New York, Stony Brook, NY 11794.
 Diana R. Kirk is the EPA Project Officer (see  below).
 The complete report, entitled "Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) CombustorAsh
     Demonstration Program "The Boathouse" (Order No. PB95-260279; Cost:
     $19.50, subject to change) will be available only from:
        National Technical Information Service
        5285 Port Royal Road
        Springfield, VA 22161
        Telephone: 703-487-4650
 The EPA Project Officer can be contacted at:
        National Risk Management Research Laboratory
        U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
        Cincinnati, OH 45268
United States
Environmental Protection Agency
National Risk Management Research Laboratory (G-72)
Cincinnati, OH 45268

Official Business
Penalty for Private Use
$300
     BULK RATE
POSTAGE & FEES PAID
         EPA
   PERMIT No. G-35
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