SEPA
www.epa.gov/nhsrc
technical BR
EPA's Incident Waste Assessment & Tonnage Estimator
(I-WASTE)
Version 6.1 adds additional functionality to the I-
WASTE Tool
Background
Handling, transporting, treating, and disposing of large
volumes of waste generated by natural disasters, chemical,
biological, or radiological incidents, and animal disease
outbreaks present unique challenges. Effective and timely
management of these potentially contaminated materials is
critical for protecting and restoring communities and the
environment. Characterization of contamination in waste and
debris and access to reliable information on treatment and
disposal can reduce cleanup costs and shorten remediation
timelines.
EPA's Homeland Security Research Program
(HSRP) develops products based on scientific
research and technology evaluations. Our
products and expertise are widely used in
preventing, preparing for, and recovering from
public health and environmental emergencies
that arise from terrorist attacks. Our research
and products address biological, radiological,
or chemical contaminants that could affect
indoor areas, outdoor areas, or water
infrastructure. HSRP provides these products,
technical assistance, and expertise to support
EPA's roles and responsibilities under the
National Response Framework, statutory
requirements, and Homeland Security
Presidential Directives.
EPA, with the Department of Homeland Security, is supporting the National Response Framework,
which guides response to domestic incidents. The I-WASTE tool has been developed by EPA's
Homeland Security Research Program to address waste management information gaps. I-WASTE
provides information on types and volumes of waste materials and potential contaminants generated
during an incident, location and contact information for potential treatment/disposal facilities, as well
as health and safety information to ensure public and worker safety during the removal, transport,
treatment, and disposal of contaminated waste and debris.
Managing Incident-Generated Waste and Debris
I-WASTE provides information for planning how to handle,
transport, treat, and dispose of contaminated waste and
debris. By using a web-based platform, large amounts of
information are condensed and presented in a user-friendly
format, and I-WASTE is easily updated as new information
becomes available. The tool is not intended to override
regulatory or legal requirements, but to provide information
that can facilitate disposal decisions.
I-WASTE includes:
• Information on characteristics of waste, debris and
potential contaminants, as well as characteristics of
decontamination agents that could be used and may be present as residuals in the waste;
• Databases of treatment, disposal, and recycling facilities (e.g., hazardous waste incinerators,
landfills, medical waste autoclaves), including locations, contact information, permits, and
capacities for the different types of waste;
• A waste quantity estimator that allows end-users to generate order-of-magnitude estimates of
volumes and masses of waste and debris from events involving a variety of types of single
buildings or several structures over a wide area;
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• A water systems module with information from different geographical areas to support the
unique considerations involved in the management of waste (e.g. filter media, piping) generated
as a result of decontaminating water treatment and distribution systems;
• Agricultural biomass disposal guidelines including training modules developed by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture;
• Natural disaster debris disposal guidelines including case studies organized by disaster type
(e.g., hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods);
• Debris transportation, packaging, and staging information;
• Radiological waste management information and guidelines;
• Worker protection information.
Recently Added Features
The updated version includes a wide-area waste quantity estimator, which allows users to calculate
disposal waste amounts for events involving several structures, with added functionality to include
building structural materials in case the building itself is demolished.
Also, the following facility databases have been updated:
• Medical/ Biohazardous Waste Incinerators
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Subtitle C Hazardous Waste
Landfills
Electric Arc Furnaces
• Aluminum and/or Copper Recyclers
• Commercial Radioactive Waste Disposal Facilities
Federal Radioactive Waste Disposal Facilities
Rendering Facilities
• Federally Owned Treatment Works (FOTWs)
• Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs)
• Links to other sources of information on recycling facilities.
Version 6.1 includes interface changes made in response to focus group feedback that make using
the tool more intuitive. Additions were also made to the Radiological Incident Waste module in
response to stakeholder feedback received during a July 2009 focus group meeting. This version
includes three new "special considerations" waste fact sheets and wildfire guidance in the Natural
Disaster Debris Disposal DST. The Agricultural Biomass Disposal DST contains access to USDA
disposal training modules, pathogen fact sheets and disposal hierarchies for poultry and large animal
mortality events.
For more information, visit the NHSRC Web site at www.epa.gov/nhsrc.
EPA's I-WASTE Tool is available at www2.ergweb.com/bdrtool/login.asp. You will need to request a
user identification name and password in order to log on.
Technical Contact: Paul Lemieuxlemieux.paul@epa.gov
January, 2012
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