FINAL
BEST  DEMONSTRATED AVAILABLE TECHNOLOGY  (BOAT)
            BACKGROUND  DOCUMENT  FOR

            P AND U THALLIUM WASTES
              Larry Rosengrant, Chief
            Treatment Technology Section
                  Rhonda M. Craig
                  Project Manager
        U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
               Office of Solid Waste
               ,  401  M Street,  S.W.
               Washington, DC  20460
                     May 1990

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                            ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

    This document was prepared for the U.S.  Environmental Protection
Agency, Office of Solid Waste, by Versar Inc.  under Contract No.
68-W9-0068.  Mr. Larry Rosengrant, Chief,  Treatment Technology Section,
Waste Treatment Branch, served as the EPA Program Manager during  the
preparation of this document and the development of treatment standards
for thallium wastes.  The Technical Project  Officer for the  waste was
Ms. Rhonda M. Craig.  Mr. Steven Silverman served as Legal Advisor.

    Versar personnel involved in the preparation of this document included
Mr. Jerome Strauss, Program Manager; Mr. Stephen Schwartz, Assistant
Program Manager; Mr. Mark Donnelly and Ms. Kathryn Jones,  Staff
Engineers; Ms. Justine Alchowiak, Quality Assurance Officer;  Ms.  Martha
Martin, Technical Editor; and Ms. Sally Gravely, Program Secretary.
                                    -i-

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                           TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section                                                         Page  No.

1.      INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY 	     1-1

2.      INDUSTRIES AFFECTED AND WASTE CHARACTERIZATION 	     2-1

       2.1  Industries Affected and Process Description 	     2-1
       2.2  Waste Characterization 	     2-2
       2.3  Determination of Waste Treatability Groups  	     2-3

3.      APPLICABLE AND DEMONSTRATED TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES  	     3-1

       3.1  Applicable Treatment Technologies 	     3-1

            3.1.1  Applicable Treatment Technologies  for
                   Nonwastewaters 	     3-1
            3.1.2  Applicable Treatment Technologies  for
                   Wastewaters 	     3-2

       3.2  Demonstrated Treatment Technologies 	     3-3

            3.2.1  Demonstrated Treatment Technologies  for
                   Nonwastewaters 	      3-3
            3.2.2  Demonstrated Treatment Technologies  for
                   Wastewaters 	      3-3

4.      PERFORMANCE DATA 	     4-1

5.      DETERMINATION OF BEST DEMONSTRATED AVAILABLE
         TECHNOLOGY (BOAT) 	     5-1

6.      SELECTION OF REGULATED CONSTITUENTS 	     6-1

7.      CALCULATION OF BOAT TREATMENT STANDARDS 	     7-1

8.      REFERENCES 	     8-1
                                    -11-

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                             LIST OF  TABLES
Table 1-1  BOAT Treatment Standards for P113,  P115,
           U214, U215, U216,  and U217 Nonwastewaters
Table 1-2  BOAT Treatment Standards for P113,  P115,
           U214, U215, U216,  and U217 Wastewaters .............    1-4

Table 2-1  Current Manufacturer of Thallium Compounds .........    2-2

Table 2-2  Physical Properties of Thallium Compounds ..........    2-5

Table 2-3  Estimated Quantities of RCRA P-Code and U-Code
           Thallium Wastes Generated in 1986 ..................    2-6

Table 2-4  Estimated Quantities of RCRA P-Code and U-Code
           Thallium Wastes Received by TSDR Facilities  in  1986.    2-8

Table 7-1  BOAT Treatment Standards for P113,  P115,
           U214, U215, U216,  and U217 Nonwastewaters ..........    7-2

Table 7-2  BOAT Treatment Standards for P113,  P115,
           U214, U215, U216,  and U217 Wastewaters .............    7-2
                                   -iii-

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                     1.   INTRODUCTION AND  SUMMARY

    Pursuant to section 3004(m) of the Resource Conservation and Recovery
Act (RCRA),  as amended by the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments (HSWA)
enacted on November 8, 1984, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)  is
promulgating treatment standards based on the  best demonstrated available
technology (BOAT) for U-code and P-code thallium wastes.   These wastes
are identified in 40 CFR 261.33 as follows:

    P113 - Thallic oxide
    P114 - Thallium (I) selenite
    P115 - Thallium (I) sulfate
    U214 - Thallium (I) acetate
    U215 - Thallium (I) carbonate
    U216 - Thallium (I) chlorate
    U217 - Thallium (I) nitrate

These wastes are being regulated for the thallium constituent except for
P114.  P114 is being regulated for selenium but not regulated for
thallium.  Compliance with these treatment standards is a prrequisite
for placement of these wastes in facilities designated as land disposal
units according to 40 CFR Part 268.  The effective date of the final
promulgated treatment standards is August 8, 1990.

    This background document presents the Agency's technical support and
rationale for developing regulatory standards  for these wastes.
Sections 2 through 7 present waste-specific information for the thallium-
containing wastes.  Section 2 presents the number and location of
facilities affected by the land disposal restrictions, the waste-
generating process, and waste characterization data.  Section 3 discusses
the technologies used to treat the waste (or similar wastes), and
Section 4 presents available performance data, including data on which
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the treatment standards are based.  Section 5 explains EPA's determina-
tion of BOAT, while Section 6 discusses the selection of constituents to
be regulated.  Treatment standards are determined in Section 7.

    The BOAT program and promulgated methodology are more thoroughly
described in two additional documents:  Methodology for Developing BOAT
Treatment Standards (USEPA 1989a) and Generic Quality Assurance Project
Plan for Land Disposal Restrictions Program ("BOAT") (USEPA 1988b).   The
petition process to be followed in requesting a variance from the BOAT
treatment standards is discussed in the methodology document.

    The wastes generated from production and use of thallium compounds
may be either wastewaters or nonwastewaters.   A wastewater is defined by
the Agency as containing less than 1 percent (weight basis) total
suspended solids* and less than 1 percent (weight basis) total organic
carbon (TOG).  Wastes not meeting this definition must comply with the
treatment standards for nonwastewaters.

    The BOAT treatment standard for nonwastewater forms of P113, P115,
U214, U215, U216, and U217 is thermal recovery or stabilization as a
method of treatment.  The Agency is setting a technology-based standard
because the only thallium nonwastewater stabilization data available are
inconclusive in setting a concentration-based standard.  Some of the
thallium stabilization data contained no untreated TCLP concentrations,
and the data points differed by more than two orders of magnitude with no
explanation given (HWTC 1989a).   The Agency has, however, received data
on thallium compounds that indicate that stabilization works for these
* The term "total suspended solids" (TSS) clarifies EPA's previously used
  terminology of "total solids" and "filterable solids."  Specifically,
  the quantity of total suspended solids is measured by Method 209C
  (Total Suspended Solids Dried at 103 to 105°C) in Standard Methods
  for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 16th Edition (APHA, AWWA,
  and WPCF 1985).
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wastes (HWTC 1989b).   BOAT for nonwastewater forms of P114 is
stabilization.  Stabilization has been determined to represent BOAT for
the selenium portion of thallium selenite (P114) nonwastewaters (USEPA
1990a).   EPA is not regulating P114 nonwastewaters for thallium, but the
Agency believes that treatment of P114 nonwastewaters for selenium will
effectively reduce the concentration of thallium as well.

    BOAT for the wastewater forms of P113, P115, U214, U215, U216, and
U217 is chemical oxidation of thallium (I) compounds followed by chemical
precipitation with hydroxide compounds, settling, and filtration.  The
treatment standard for these wastewaters is 0.14 mg/1, measured as total
composition of a 24-hour composite sample.

    The treatment standard for the selenium component of P114 is a
concentration-based standard, with BOAT for removal of selenium being
chemical treatment for selenium.  The treatment removes only the selenium
component.  EPA has no data on the removal of thallium from P114
wastewaters.  However, thallium is extremely insoluble at alkaline pHs
(Mellor 1946) .  EPA believes BDAT subsequent to removal of selenium from
P114 wastewaters is chemical precipitation at alkaline conditions.
Therefore, BDAT for P114 wastewaters is chemical treatment for selenium
removal followed by chemical precipitation at alkaline conditions.  These
treatment standards are summarized in Tables 1-1 and 1-2.
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            Table 1-1  BOAT Treatment Standards for P113, P115,
                 U214,  U215,  U216,  and U217  Nonwastewaters3
Waste code                         Treatment standard
P113, P115, U214,       THERMAL RECOVERY OR STABILIZATION AS A METHOD OF
U215, U216, U217                      TREATMENT
3 Also see the Best Demonstrated Available Technology (BOAT) Background
  Document for K031, K084, K101, K102, Characteristic Arsenic Wastes
  (D004),  Characteristic Selenium Wastes (D010),  and P and U Wastes
  Containing Arsenic and Selenium Listing Constituents (USEPA 1990a) for
  selenium treatment standard for P114.
            Table 1-2  BOAT Treatment Standards for P113, P115,
                  U214, U215, U216, and U217 Wastewaters3
                                              Maximum for any single
                                              24-hour composite sample
Regulated constituent                         Total composition (mg/1)
Thallium                                               0.14


a Also see the Best Demonstrated Available Technology (BDAT) Background
  Document for K031, K084, K101, K102, Characteristic Arsenic Wastes
  (D004), Characteristic Selenium Wastes (D010),  and P and U Wastes
  Containing Arsenic and Selenium Listing Constituents (USEPA 1990a) for
  selenium treatment standard for P114.
                                    1-4
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        2.   INDUSTRIES AFFECTED AND WASTE CHARACTERIZATION

    Under 40 CFR 261.33, the thallium-containing hazardous wastes  are
specifically listed as follows:

         P113 - Thallic oxide;  Thallium (III)  oxide
         P114 - Thallium (I) selenite
         P115 - Thallium (I) sulfate
         U214 - Thallium (I) acetate
         U215 - Thallium (I) carbonate
         U216 - Thallium (I) chloride
         U217 - Thallium (I) nitrate

    The Agency has determined that these listed wastes  represent a single
treatability group based on their similar physical and  chemical
characteristics.  They are all inorganic forms of thallium that generally
ionize when dissolved in water.  As described  later in  this section, EPA
has examined the sources of the wastes, the specific similarities  in the
waste composition, applicable and demonstrated treatment technologies,
and attainable treatment performance in order  to support a simplified
regulatory approach for these inorganic wastes.

2.1      Industry Affected and Process Description

    According to the 1987 Minerals Yearbook (U.S.  Bureau of Mines  1988),
only 4,000 pounds of thallium compounds were consumed in the United
States in 1987.  Thallous bromide (thallium (I)  bromide,  TIBr) and
thallous iodide (thallium (I) iodide, Til) are used as  infrared optical
prism and window materials.   The other thallium compounds are used
primarily for research purposes.

    Currently, there is only one manufacturer  of thallium salts in the
United States.  The compounds presently made are listed in Table 2-1.
                                    2-1
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Other thallium compounds are either imported for use or sold from
stockpiles of materials produced at earlier times.
           Table 2-1  Current Manufacturer of Thallium Compounds
                                                             Wastes
                                                           potentially
     Plant              Location          Products          generated
Harshaw Filtrol       Solon, Ohio    Thallium (I) bromide
                                     Thallium (I) chloride     U216
                                     Thallium (I) iodide
Source:  SRI 1989.

    The production process currently used to manufacture the three
thallium salts is proprietary.  However, in the past, all thallium
compounds were generally made from thallic sulfate (thallium (III)
sulfate, T1~(SO,),), which had been recovered as a byproduct of the
production of cadmium metal.  Until about 10 years ago, thallic sulfate
was sold primarily as a rodenticide.  This use has largely disappeared,
and the product has been replaced by other non-thallium-containing,
nonpersistent pesticides.

2.2       Waste Characterization

    The physical properties of thallium compounds are presented in
Table 2-2 at the end of this section.  A very limited amount of waste
characterization information is available to characterize thallium wastes,

    No waste generation was reported by the one facility manufacturing
thallium salts (see Table 2-1).  Wastes from that facility's processes
                                    2-2
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are discharged to a local publicly-owned treatment works (POTW) system
(Versar 1989).

    Waste composition data for waste from only one facility were reported
in the 1986 National Survey of Hazardous Waste Generators (Generator
Survey, USEPA 1986b).   This waste contained 75 to 90 percent thallium,
which is typical for a discarded laboratory chemical.  (U- and P-code
wastes are discarded,  spilled, or off-specification chemicals.)

    Table 2-3 lists the generators and the amounts of thallium wastes
generated by each facility.  According to the 1986 National Survey of
Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage,  Disposal, and Recycling Facilities
(TSDR Survey), only six facilities reported generating thallium wastes
(USEPA 1986a).  Table 2-4 shows the amounts of thallium wastes reportedly
received by commercial waste treatment and disposal firms in 1986.  Most
of this quantity was reported to be obsolete thallic sulfate rodenticide.

2.3       Determination of Waste Treatabllitv Groups

    In some cases, wastes with different waste codes, produced in similar
processes or in similar industries,  can be treated to similar
concentrations using the same technologies.  In these instances, the
Agency may combine the codes into a single treatability group.

    Based on careful review of the generators of thallium wastes and
available waste characterization data,  the Agency has determined that
thallium nonwastewaters constitute one treatability group.

    Thallium nonwastewaters are expected to be similar in terms of the
constituents that they contain, and all are inorganic thallium
compounds.  Thallium wastewaters are likewise expected to be similar in
terms of the constituents that they contain, and all are inorganic
thallium compounds.  Therefore, thallium wastewaters constitute one
treatability group.
                                    2-3

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None of the thallium wastes routinely generated are expected to contain
organic constituents.  P114 wastewaters and nonwastewaters contain
selenium and are being regulated for selenium only and not thallium.
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                             Table 2-2  Physical Properties of Thallium Compounds
Melting
point (°C)
Thallium, Tl 303.50
P113 Thallic (III) oxide Tl_0, 717
Boiling
point (°)
1457
875
Solubility
inH20
Insoluble
Insoluble
P114  Thallium (I) aelenite Tl2(SeOg)3
P115  Thallium (I) sulfate,






U214  Thallium (I) acetate,






U215  Thallium (I) carbonate, T12C02






U216  Thallium (I) chlorate, T1C102






U217  Thallium (I) nitrate, TIRO.
                                3

      (cubic crystalline structure)
                                                 632
131
273
206
               decomposes
               430
                                                                                    4.B730    19.1410°
                                   Very soluble
                                   4.0315"5  27.2100
                                   2.0
                                   9.5520    4.13
                                               57.31





                                                 100
                                                    100
Source:  Meast 1989.
3232g
                                                  2-5

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                               Table 2-3  Estimated Quantities of RCRA Thalliu
                                           Hastes Generated in 1986
RCRA P or
U waste
Thallium waste
  generator
    Estimated
quantity generated
 in 1986 (pounds)
                                                                                    Comments
  P113
              Aldrich Chemical Co.
                                                            1 gallon of waste reported (assume
                                                            9 Ib/gal density);  research
                                                            quantity.
  P113
              Argonne Rational Lab.
                                                        270
                                                            30 gallons of waste reported
                                                            (assume 9 Ib/gal);  research
                                                            quantity.
  PI 14

  P115
              E.I. Du Pont Co.
              Aldrich Chemical Co.
                                                            Research quantity.

                                                            1 gallon of waste reported (assume
                                                            9 Ib/gal);  research quantity.
  P115

  P115
              E.I. Du Pont Co.
              TRH Electronics & Defense
                                                         20
                                                            Research quantity.

                                                            Actual thallium content not known;
                                                            assume IX of P115 in material.
  P115
              TRH Electronics & Defense
                                                         60
                                                                          6,000 Ib of electroplating waste
                                                                          mixture including D004, F007,
                                                                          P030, P038, P064, P106, and F11S;
                                                                          assume only trace (0.1Z) of PI 15
                                                                          in the mixture.8
  P115
              USAF Norton AFB
                                                        810
                                                            90 gallons of waste reported
                                                            (assume 9 Ib/gal).
              Total F-code thallium waste generated   1,180
3232g
                                                  2-6

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                                            Table 2-3  (continued)
RCRA F or
U waste
Thallium waste
  generator
   Estimated
quantity generated
 in 1986 (pounds)
                                                                                    Connents
  U214
  U215
  0215
  U216
              Aldrich Chemical Co.
              Aldrich Chemical Co.
              E.I. Du Pont Co.
  U216        Aldrich Chemical Co.
              Argoime Rational Lab.
                                                         27
  U217        Aldrich Chemical Co.
  U217        American Cyanamid                          10
  U217        E.I. Du Pont Co.
              Total U-code thallium waste generated      79
                                                            1 gallon of waste reported (assume
                                                            9 Ib/gal);  research quantity.

                                                            1 gallon of waste reported (assume
                                                            9 Ib/gal);  research quantity.

                                                            Research quantity.

                                                            1 gallon of waste reported (assime
                                                            9 Ib/gal);  research quantity.

                                                            3 gallons of waste reported
                                                            (assume 9 Ib/gal);  research
                                                            quantity.

                                                            1 gallon of waste reported (assume
                                                            9 Ib/gal);  research quantity.

                                                            110  gallons of waste reported  as
                                                            mixture of  P001.  U204,  and U217
                                                            (assume 9 Ib/gal  and IX U217).a

                                                            Research quantity.
              Total P- and U-code thallium
                waste Kenerated
                                                      1,259
  Assumptions based on telephone conversations between Versar Inc.  personnel and the generating plants.

Source:  USEPA 1986a.
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                           Table 2-4  Estimated Quantities of RCRA Thallium Hastes
                                     Received by TSDR Facilities in 1986
RCRA F or
U waste
              Thallium waste
                 handler
   Estimated
quantity handled
in 1986 (pounds)
                                                                                    Comments
  F116
              Casmalia Resources
                                                     40,000
  P216        Appropriate Technologies II                10

              Total F-code thallium waste handled    40,010
                         This material consists of obsolete
                         rodenticides (mixtures of thallium
                         sulfate and inert materials) that
                         are being phased out by suppliers
                         of these materials and thus would
                         not be a continuing source of this
                         waste."

                         Hone.
  U214
              ThennalKan
  U214        Earth Industrial Haste

              Total U-code thallium waste handled
                                                         45
                                                         47
                                                                          5  gallons of waste  reported
                                                                          (assume 9 Ib/gal).

                                                                          Hone.
              Total F-code and U-code thallium
                waste handled
                                                     40,057
a This information is based on a telephone conversation between Versar Inc.  and Casmalia Resources.

Source:  USEPA 1986a.
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     3.   APPLICABLE AND  DEMONSTRATED TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES

    This section identifies  the treatment technologies that are
applicable to the two thallium treatability groups.   It also discusses
which of the applicable technologies can be considered demonstrated for
the purpose of establishing BOAT.

    To be applicable, a technology must be theoretically usable  to  treat
the waste in question or to  treat a waste that is similar in terms  of the
parameters that affect treatment selection.  To be demonstrated,  the
technology must be in full-scale operation for the treatment of  the waste
in question or a similar waste.  Technologies available only at  pilot-
and bench-scale operations are not considered demonstrated technologies.

3.1      Applicable Treatment Technologies

    Initial data gathering on the treatment of thallium-containing  wastes
                           l
included review of the technical literature and contacts with industry
representatives.   As a result of these efforts,  EPA identified four
technologies as applicable for treatment of these wastes.   These four
technologies (two for nonwastewater wastes and two for wastewaters) are
discussed briefly below.  Further discussion of each of these
technologies is found in the Treatment Technology Background Document
(USEPA 1989b).

3.1.1    Applicable Treatment Technologies for Nonwastewaters

    (1)  Thermal recovery.  Thermal recovery technologies are
applicable to the recovery of thallium from wastes.   In high-temperature
metals recovery,  the waste is heated in a reducing atmosphere to vaporize
the metal.  Thallium has a boiling point of 1457°C.   The vaporized
metal usually reacts with air to form an oxide,  which is recovered  from
the airstream exiting the high-temperature recovery unit.
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    (2)  Stabilization.  Thallium salts — for example, thallic oxide
   ^O.), thallic hydroxide (Tl(OH).,) wastes (such as wastewater
treatment sludges generated from chemical precipitation treatment of
thallium-containing wastewaters),  and thallic selenite--may be treated by
stabilization.  Other thallium salts, such as thallium trioxide, thallium
sulfate, and thallium acetate, have been successfully treated by
stabilization (HWTC 1989a, 1989b>.  Stabilization involves mixing the
insoluble thallium compounds with lime, fly ash, concrete, cement, other
pozzolanic materials, and water.  Chemical reactions occur in the mixed
materials, which then cure into a hard, concrete-like mass.

    (Note:  Chemical precipitation and chemical oxidation are also
applicable to nonwastewaters.   However, these are primarily wastewater
treatment technologies and will be discussed in section 3.1.2.  To use
these technologies for treatment of many nonwastewaters,  the waste must
first be either dissolved or suspended in water.)

3.1.2    Applicable Treatment Technologies for Wastewaters

    (1)  Chemical precipitation.  Chemical precipitation is a
technology used for treatment of dissolved metals in wastewaters.
Chemicals are added to the waste solution that result in the formation of
insoluble compounds that can be physically separated by technologies such
as sedimentation and filtration.  Chemical precipitation of thallium by
the addition of lime or caustic to an aqueous solution or suspension
converts all soluble thallic salts present into highly insoluble thallic
hydroxide (T1(OH)3).

    (2)  Chemical oxidation.   Thallium in wastewaters occurs in two
oxidation states:  monovalent thallous (or thallium (I))  salts and
trivalent thallic (or thallium (III)) salts.  Typically,  thallous
compounds are much more soluble than thallic compounds; thus thallium is
more easily removed from wastewaters when it is in the thallic form.
Thallous salts may be oxidized to thallic compounds by aqueous chemical
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oxidation processes using a variety of oxidizing agents.  Chemical
oxidation processes are aqueous treatment processes that are usually used
to destroy organic or oxidizable inorganic constituents in wastewaters.
These processes can also be used, however, to convert a metal from a low
oxidation state to a higher oxidation state.  Hydrogen peroxide,
potassium permanganate, and sodium hypochlorite all oxidize thallous
salts to thallic compounds by this reaction (Mellor 1946).

3.2      Demonstrated Treatment Technologies

3.2.1    Demonstrated Treatment Technologies for Nonwastewaters
                           I

    Thermal recovery, stabilization, chemical oxidation, and chemical
precipitation are all full-scale, well-demonstrated technologies that
have been used for management of a wide variety of BDAT list
metal-containing wastes including thallium.  Use of chemical oxidation or
precipitation for treatment of many nonwastewaters requires that the
waste first be dissolved or suspended in water.  This would be necessary
for chemical oxidation and chemical precipitation pretreatment before
stabilization.

3.2.2    Demonstrated Treatment Technologies for Wastewaters

    Chemical oxidation and chemical precipitation are full-scale,
demonstrated wastewater treatment methods used for removal of BDAT list
metal ions from wastewaters.   These technologies are therefore
demonstrated for thallium wastewaters.
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                          4.   PERFORMANCE  DATA

    EPA has limited treatment data on nonwastewater forms of thallium
wastes and no treatment data on wastewater forms.  Where sufficient data
are not available on the treatment of the specific wastes of concern, as
is the case with thallium wastes, the Agency may elect to transfer data
on the treatment of a similar waste or wastes, using a demonstrated
technology.  To transfer data from another waste category,  EPA must find
that the wastes covered by this background document are no more difficult
to treat (based on the waste characteristics that affect performance of
the demonstrated treatment technology) than the treated wastes from which
performance data are being transferred.

    Table 2-4 lists the quantities of thallium wastes received by TSDR
facilities in 1986.  The facility receiving most of the waste, Casmalia
Resources, is a hazardous waste landfill.  It did not treat the waste
prior to disposal.  The other facilities received very small quantities
of thallium wastes and mixed them with other wastes prior to treatment.
As a result, limited treatment data on thallium nonwastewaters are
available.

    The Agency has extensive data on stabilization as applied to
nonwastewater forms of other BDAT list metal-containing wastes.
Additionally, EPA received data on the stabilization of thallium as part
of the comments in response,to the proposed rule on thallium.  Data were
received on thallium stabilization using proprietary reagents
(HWTC 1989a, 1989b).   Some of the thallium stabilization data contained
no untreated TCLP concentrations, and the data points differed by more
than two orders of magnitude with no explanation given.  The Agency has,
however, received data on thallium compounds that indicate that
stabilization works for these wastes.
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    Wastewater treatment data, primarily from EPA's Office of Water, were
analyzed for the development of concentration-based treatment standards
for thallium-containing wastewaters (see Table 4-1).  Further information
on these data, including the sources of the data and the treatment
technologies used, can be found in the Preamble to the Third Third Land
Disposal Restrictions Final Rule and in the Best Demonstrated Available
Technology (BOAT) Background Document for Wastewaters Containing BOAT
List Constituents (USEPA 1989c).   Data on treatment of other BOAT
metal-containing wastewaters by chemical precipitation and chemical
oxidation can be found in the effluent guidelines background document for
the Inorganic Chemicals Industry (USEPA 1982).
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            Table  4-1   Performance  Data  for  Thallium Wastewaters
                                                    Average effluent
 Technology               Technology size          concentration (ppb)
Lime precipitation and
  sedimentation                Full                      500.00

Lime precipitation and
  sedimentation and
  filtration                   Full                      340.00
Source:  USEPA 1989c.
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               5.  DETERMINATION OF  BEST  DEMONSTRATED
                     AVAILABLE TECHNOLOGY  (BOAT)
    The Agency examined all available performance data from applicable,
demonstrated technologies to determine (using statistical  techniques)
whether one or more of the technologies performs significantly  better
than the others.  The technology that performs best on a particular  waste
or waste treatability group is then evaluated to determine whether it  is
"available."  To be available the technology must (1)  be commercially
available to any generator and (2) provide substantial treatment  of  the
waste,  as determined through evaluation of accuracy-adjusted data.   In
determining whether treatment is substantial, EPA may  consider  data  on
the performance of a waste similar to the waste in question provided that
the similar waste is at least as difficult to treat.   If the best
technology is not available, the next best technology  is evaluated,  and
so on until BOAT is determined.   The most desirable waste  management
technology is one that results in no residual streams  or a residual
stream with no hazardous properties.  No such technologies,  however, have
been identified for thallium wastes.

    The best technology identified for thallium nonwastewaters  is the
treatment train consisting of chemical oxidation to the thallium  (III)
state followed by chemical precipitation and stabilization.   There are
significant differences between the solubilities of thallous (thallium
(I)) and thallic (thallium (III)) salts.  Thallous hydroxide is very
soluble, and thallic hydroxide is very insoluble.   Therefore, conversion
to the thallic state is desirable before stabilization.  This treatment
train may necessitate dissolving or slurrying the waste with water prior
to chemical treatment.  In the next step, all thallium compounds  are
converted to the thallium (III)  oxidation state and precipitated  as
insoluble thallic hydroxide.  The nonwastewater treatment  sludge  residual
thus generated is then stabilized to reduce the leachability of thallium
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even further.  These technologies are commercially available and are
expected to result in significant reduction of thallium in a leachate.
Therefore, the Agency has determined that this approach is BOAT for
thallium nonwastewaters.

    Thermal recovery can be used to recover cadmium and zinc because they
have low melting and boiling points.  Thallium can also be recovered
using thermal recovery because it has low melting and boiling points;
therefore, thermal recovery is BOAT for thallium nonwastewaters.

    For wastewaters, chemical oxidation of thallium (I) to thallium (III)
followed by chemical precipitation of thallium by conventional hydroxide
precipitating agents (e.g., lime or sodium hydroxide) will reduce
significantly the concentration of thallium in wastewaters.  Chemical
oxidation and chemical precipitation are commercially available and are
expected to provide significant treatment of thallium.  These
technologies represent BOAT for thallium wastewaters.

    BOAT for P114 nonwastewaters is stabilization.  Stabilization is the
treatment used as BDAT for regulating the selenium content of P114
nonwastewaters (USEPA 1990a).   EPA is not regulating P114 nonwastewaters
for thallium, but the Agency believes that treatment of P114 nonwaste-
waters for selenium will effectively reduce the concentration of thallium
as well.  The treatment standard for the selenium component of P114
wastewaters is a concentration-based standard with BDAT for removal of
selenium being chemical treatment for selenium.  The treatment removes
only the selenium component.  EPA has no data on the removal of thallium
from P114 wastewaters.  However, thallium is extremely insoluble at
alkaline pHs (Mellor 1986).  EPA believes the BDAT subsequent to removal
of selenium from P114 wastewaters is chemical precipitation at alkaline
conditions.  BDAT for P114 wastewaters is chemical treatment for selenium
removal followed by chemical precipitation at alkaline conditions.
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              6.   SELECTION  OF REGULATED CONSTITUENTS

    EPA is promulgating treatment standards  for  thallium  in both
wastewaters and nonwastewaters  for all the P-  and U-code  thallium wastes
covered by this background document except P114  wastes.   Thallium is  the
only Appendix VIII constituent  for which these wastes  are listed  (except
for P114, which is discussed below)  and is the only  BOAT  list  constituent
that will be found in these wastes on a regular  basis  (unless  these
wastes are mixed with other listed hazardous wastes, in which  case other
treatment standards will also apply).

    P114 contains both thallium and selenium as  BOAT list constituents.
This waste is being regulated only as a selenium-containing waste and is
not being regulated for thallium.  Treatment standards for selenium in
P114 are discussed in the best  demonstrated  available  technology  (BOAT)
background document for arsenic and selenium (USEPA  1990a), which is  also
being developed for this rulemaking.
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            7.  CALCULATION  OF BOAT TREATMENT STANDARDS

    The treatment standard for nonwastewater forms  of  P113,  P115, U214,
U215, U216, and U217 is thermal recovery or stabilization as a  method  of
treatment.  These treatment standards for nonwastewaters  are presented in
Table 7-1.

    The treatment standard for P113,  P115,  U214,  U215,  U216,  and U217
wastewaters is 0.14 mg/1, measured as total composition of a 24-hour
composite sample.   The thallium wastewater data were from the EPA's
Office of Water.  The Office of Water data,  the only data available, were
based on 24-hour composite samples.   Further information  on  these data
can be found in the Preamble to the Third Third Land Disposal
Restrictions Final Rule and in the Best Demonstrated Available  Technology
(BDAT) Background Document for Wastewaters Containing  BOAT List
Constituents (USEPA 1989c).   The wastewater treatment  standards are
presented in Table 7-2.

    The treatment standard for thallium wastewaters was calculated using
a mean of 0.034 and a variability factor of 4.1.

               Treatment  standard - mean x variability factor
                              TS  - 4.1 x 0.034 - 0.14 mg/1
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            Table 7-1  BOAT Treatment Standards for P113, P115,
                 U214,  U215, U216,  and U217  Nonwastewaters3
Waste code                            Treatment standard
P113, P115, U214,          THERMAL RECOVERY OR STABILIZATION AS A METHOD
U215, U216, U217                        OF TREATMENT
3 Also see the Best Demonstrated Available Technology (BOAT) Background
  Document for K031, K084, K101, K102, Characteristic Arsenic Wastes
  (D004),  Characteristic Selenium Wastes (D010),  and P and U Wastes
  Containing Arsenic and Selenium Listing Constituents (USEPA 1990a) for
  selenium treatment standard for P114.
            Table 7-2  BOAT Treatment Standards for P113, P115,
                  U214, U215, U216, and U217 Wastewaters3
                                                 Maximum for any single
                                                 24-hour composite sample
Regulated constituent                            Total composition (mg/1)
Thallium                                                  0.14


a Also see the Best Demonstrated Available Technology (BOAT) Background
  Document for K031, K084, K101, K102, Characteristic Arsenic Wastes
  (D004), Characteristic Selenium Wastes (D010),  and P and U Wastes
  Containing Arsenic and Selenium Listing Constituents (USEPA 1990a) for
  selenium treatment standard for P114.
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                             8.   REFERENCES
APHA, AWWA, and WPCF.  1985.  American Public Health Association, American
  Water Works Association, and Water Pollution Control Federation.
  Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater.  16th ed.
  Washington, D.C.:  American Public Health Association.

HWTC.  1989a.  Hazardous Waste Treatment Council.  Data submission on
  thallium in response to proposed rule, EPA Docket Number LD12-00050.

HWTC.  1989b.  Hazardous Waste Treatment Council.  Data submission in
  thallium in response to proposed rule, EPA Docket Number LD12-00067.

Mellor, J.W.  1946.  A comprehensive treatise on inorganic and
  theoretical chemistry.  Volume 5, pp. 434-463.  London:   Longmans Green.

SRI.  1989.  Stanford Research Institute.  1989 Directory of chemical
  producers, United States of America.  Menlo Park, Calif.:  Stanford
  Research Institute.

U.S. Bureau of Mines.  1988.  1987 Minerals yearbook.  Volume I:  Metals
  and minerals.  Washington, D.C.:   U.S. Bureau of Mines.

USEPA.  1982.  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid
  Waste and Hazardous Materials.  Development document for effluent
  limitations guidelines and pretreatment standards for the inorganic
  chemicals manufacturing point source category.  Washington, D.C.:  U.S.
  Environmental Protection Agency.

USEPA.  1986a.  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  1986 National
  survey of hazardous waste treatment, storage, disposal and recycling
  facilities.  Washington, D.C.:  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

USEPA.  1986b.  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  1986 National
  survey of hazardous waste generators.  Washington, D.C.:  U.S.
  Environmental Protection Agency.

USEPA.  1988a.  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid
  Waste.  Best demonstrated available technology (BOAT) background
  document for F006.  Washington, D.C.:  U.S. Environmental Protection
  Agency.

USEPA.  1988b.  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid
  Waste.  Generic quality assurance project plan for Land Disposal
  Restrictions Program ("BOAT").  Washington, D.C.:  U.S.  Environmental
  Protection Agency.

USEPA.  1989a.  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid
  Waste.  Methodology for developing BOAT treatment standards.
  Washington, D.C.:  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
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USEPA.  1989b.  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid
  Waste.  Treatment technology background document.  Washington, D.C.:
  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

USEPA.  1989c.  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid
  Waste.  Best demonstrated available technology (BOAT) background
  document for wastewaters containing BOAT list constituents.
  Washington, D.C.:  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

USEPA.  1990.  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid
  Waste.  Best demonstrated available technology (BOAT) background
  document for K031, K084, K101, K102, characteristic arsenic wastes
  (D004),  characteristic selenium wastes (D016), and P and U wastes
  containing arsenic and selenium listing constituents:  Final.
  Washington, D.C.:  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Versar.  1989.  Documentation of telephone communication between
  E. Rissmann, Versar Inc., and J. Berish, Harshaw Filtrol, Solon, Ohio.

Weast, R.C., ed.  1989.  CRC handbook of chemistry and physics.
  70th ed.  Cleveland:  CRC Press Inc.
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