EPA 600/D-82-345
Paper presented at "Management of Uncontrolled
Hazardous Waste Site"
November 29-December 1982, Washington, D.C.
UNCONTROLLED HAZARDOUS WASTE SITE CONTROL
TECHNOLOGY EVALUATION PROGRAM
Ronald Hill
Norbert Schomaker
Ira Wilder
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
Solid and Hazardous Waste Research Division
26 West St. Clair Street
Cincinnati, Ohio
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY CONTROL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM
In anticipation of the passage of the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA or Super-fund) ,
the Office of Research and Development, of the United States Environmental
Protection Agency (USEPA) began a program in 1980 to support the Agency's
activities concerned with uncontrolled hazardous waste sites. In the area of
environmental engineering and technology, the Agency looked to the ongoing and
established program in the Solid and Hazardous Waste Research Division of the
Municipal Environmental Research Laboratory, This Division had a base of
expertise that could quickly relate to the uncontrolled hazardous waste
problem.
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The Oil and Hazardous Materials Spills Branch (QHMSB), located at Edison,
New Jersey, had been actively pursuing research on the identification,
containment, control, removal, and ultimate disposal of hazardous spills since
1971. These activities could be directly related to the removal aspects of
Superfund. The Disposal Branch, located in Cincinnati, Ohio, has been
actively pursuing research in the area of waste disposal control to the land
since 1965. These activities could be directly related to the remedial action
aspects of Superfund.
Since CERCLA only provided for a five year program for the uncontrolled
hazardous waste site problem, time was not available to establish a
fundamental research and development program. The approach taken by the
Agency for the Office of Research and Development was one of technical support
to the Office of Emergency and Remedial Response. Technologies that had been
developed under the Clean Water and Solid Waste programs were adapted to the
uncontrolled hazardous waste site situations. In addition, construction
techniques, e.g., slurry trench cutoff walls, injection grouting, and chemical
stabilization, that had been used for other purposes, were evaluated to
determine their applications to uncontrolled sites. It was also concluded
that there were very limited data available on the cost and effectiveness of
various remedial techniques. The task of collecting and analyzing the
available data was initiated.
Once CERCLA became law, the Office of Research and Development developed,
in consort with the Office of Emergency and Remedial Response, a five year
support strategy which is updated each year. The strategy outlined a program
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with peak funding in the early years to meet the immediate needs of the
program; the latter years concentrates on technical assistance.
The environmental engineering and control technology research program
divides activities along the lines of CERCLA, i.e., removal and remedial
actions. In the following sections, details of each program are presented.
REMOVAL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM
Approach
The overall goal of the Oil & Hazardous Materials Spills Branch (OHMSB) is
to provide scientific and engineering expertise in the area of removal
(emergency response) activities. Specifically, the OHMSB evaluates and
demonstrates new or improved equipment, devices, systems, and data analysis
techniques for the prevention, identification, containment, control, removal
and ultimate disposal of hazardous substances released to the environment.
This includes the cleanup and recovery of hazardous substances from accidental
releases as well as from uncontrolled hazardous waste sites, and is consistent
with the definition of "removal" in Section 101 of the Superfund legislation.
Additionally, the OHMSB demonstrates the equipment and systems to actively
encourage the commercial use of cost-effective, advanced technologies during
cleanup operations. Once an item is completed and has undergone various field
testing, the plans, specifications, and other information are made available
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publicly for the purpose of encouraging commercialization of the new
technology. Numerous systems, including a mobile water treatment unit and a
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mobile laboratory, have been completed and are now available commercially.
The OHMSB also provides input into the regulation development,
enforcement, and technical support needs of the USEPA's Program Offices and
the ten Regional Offices. Regulation development is being assisted through
technical background investigation, such as updating the list of Superfund
designated hazardous substances and attendant "reportable quantities."
Regulation support is also provided by evaluating new cleanup techniques that
will be incorporated in the regulations by reference. In this area, the OH1SB
provides user manuals for emergency reponse, including sampling and analysis,
monitoring techniques, technology evaluation, and guidance for on-scene
response personnel. In addition to specific projects addressing
decontamination of personnel and equipment, and specialized protective
clothing for personnel, all projects in this program area place special
emphasis on personnel health and safety.
MAJOR OUTPUTS TO DATE
Major outputs in the removal program to date include the following:
o Mobile Incineration System:
The OHMSB recently completed construction of a mobile incineration
system designed for field use to destroy hazardous organic substances
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collected from cleanup operations at spills and at uncontrolled hazardous
waste sites. The system is designed to the USEPA's PCB destruction
specifications (under the Toxic Substances Control Act) to provide
state-of-the-art thermal detoxification of long-lived, refractory organic
compounds. Hazardous substances that could be incinerated include
compounds containing chlorine and phosphorus (i.e., PCB's, kepone,
dioxins, and organophosphate pesticides) which may be present in sludges
or in soils. In order to systematically evaluate and demonstrate the
equipment, a trial burn is currently underway.
o Ultrasonic Submerged Pollutant Detector:
Using existing ultrasonic reflectometry technology, a detector—a
sophisticated "fish-finder" for locating insoluble hazardous sinkers
(chemicals that sink instead of float or are soluble) at the bottom of
waterbodies-has been developed. The detector measures variations in
acoustic return echoes, and can be used to uniquely identify the acoustic
"signature" of a sunken pollutant. During its development, the device was
used to profile a spill of approximately 350,000 gallons of toxic ethylene
dichloride into Lake Ferguson near Greenville, Mississippi. The device
performed exceptionally well and located pools of pollutant ranging in
depth from less than 1/2 inch to 20 inches.
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o Hazardous Material Spill Case History Computer System:
A computerized data base system , which provides a centralized
information bank of past hazardous substances incident response
experiences has been developed and is currently being evaluated. This
system will serve to aid on-scene personnel in deciding what treatment or
technique to use, what degree of cleanup to employ, and what priorities to
initiate for cleanup in relation to environmental fate and effects. The
system is based upon a standardized after-action data report form which is
to be filled out by On-Scene Coordinators, their advisors, or a trained
interviewer at the conclusion of a hazardous material incident. The
report is in a format and arranged in such a way that the experiences can
be subsequently retrieved for use by others who may be facing the same or
similar situations. The computerized data base is continually updated
with after-action report forms.
o Field Test Kit for Measuring Redox Potentials of Waste Chemicals
A field test kit, for measuring oxidation-reduction (redox)
potentials of organic and aqueous waste chemicals, has been developed and
evaluated. The test kit permits measurements of the redox potential of
environmental samples through use of a portable, battery-operated
instrument containing electrode probes, and electrolyte solutions. The
entire procedure for obtaining redox measurements requires only a few
minutes and can be performed by inexperienced operators. The redox kit
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was developed as a screening procedure for segregating drums at
uncontrolled hazardous waste sites to preclude the danger of an explosion
due to a reaction between oxidizing and reducing agents. Field
evaluations of the redox kit were successfully performed during January
and November 1981.
MAJOR FUTURE OUTPUTS
Major future outputs of the removal program include the following:
o Mobile Soils Washer:
A mobile treatment system has been designed for on-site extraction of
a broad range of hazardous materials from excavated soils. The system
is expected to be an economical alternative to the current approach of
excavation, hauling off-site to a landfill, and replacing the excavated
soil. The system can be used to extract contaminants from soils—
"artificially leaching" the soil using water—and enabling operators to
leave the treated soil on-site. The extracted hazardous materials are
separated from the washing fluid using physical/chemical treatment
procedures. The cleaned washing fluid is recirculated, and the separated
and concentrated hazardous materials are disposed of by appropriate
means. The system is currently undergoing shakedown tests and is expected
to be available for field demonstration during FY-83.
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o Mobile Carbon Regenerator:
Water contaminated with hazardous substances has been successfully
cleaned using water decontamination equipment such as the USEPA's mobile
physical/chemical treatment system. This system, which utilizes
granular activated carbon to concentrate dilute dissolved organic
contaminants, can be made more cost-effective with on-site regeneration of
the spent carbon as opposed to transporting the carbon for off-site
regeneration or placing it in a secure landfill. In order to provide a
safe and effective method for handling contaminated carbon, the OHMSB has
developed a mobile unit for detoxifying/regenerating the carbon at the
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cleanup site. The system has recently undergone initial shakedown and
preliminary testing, and is expected to be ready for field demonstration
and evaluation during FY-83.
o Mobile In-Situ Containment/Treatment System:
The OHMSB has developed an innovative, mobile system for treating
contaminated soils in place at reduced costs, in terms of dollars per
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pound of contaminant removed. The technique employs flushing with
additives and detoxification by chemical reaction. In-situ containment is
accomplished by the mobile unit through direct injection of grouting
material into the soil around the contaminated area in order to isolate
the released chemicals. The chemicals are then treated in place by water
flushing with additives, or by other methods such as oxidation/reduction,
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neutralization, or precipitation. The collected chemically contaminated
wash solution can be processed through a mobile water treatment unit where
contaminants are removed. The mobile in-situ containment/treatment system
is currently undergoing shakedown tests and will be available for field
evaluation during mid FY-83.
Manuals
The OHMSB is currently preparing documents for release to the user
community during FY-83/84. Each of these user-oriented field manuals is
being prepared in close cooperation and coordination with representatives
of private organizations who would potentially use the manuals. These
manuals are the following:
Environmental Emergency Control Handbook for First Responders which
will cover specific environmental-related practices to assist
first-on-scene personnel, such as firefighters, in their
decision-making process during the first critical minutes of a
hazardous substance spill or release incident, where fire is not
involved.
Manual on Physical and Chemical Countermeasures which will provide
general recommendations for using physical and chemical
countermeasures to mitigate frequently occurring hazardous substance
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releases In subsurface soils and 1n large, relatively quiescent
waterbodies such as lakes, ponds, canals, and slowly moving rivers.
These recommendations will take the form of a matrix of
counter-measures versus release types and will be applicable to the
cleanup of spills as well as uncontrolled hazardous waste sites.
Spill Prevention Manual, which will provide a matrix for various
classes and groups of chemicals and spill-prevention techniques for
these chemicals. This matrix will be developed primarily through
communication with trade associations (such as the Chemical
Manufacturers Association and others) and organizations engaged in
producing, storing, and transferring hazardous substances. The
manual will also be developed into a training course/workshop.
REMEDIAL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM
Approach
The overall goal of the Disposal Branch is to assess and validate new or
improved remedial action technologies or schemes to minimize pollutant release
from uncontrolled hazardous waste disposal sites. More specifically, the
remedial activity includes site survey and assessment studies, bench and pilot
studies, field verification studies, cost-effectiveness and model studies.
These studies are being performed to validate control technologies as they
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relate to surface water control, groundwater control, plume management,
chemical immobilization, and excavation and rebuHal. The activities are
consistent with the definition of remedial action in Section 101 of Superfund
(CERCLA). The Disposal Branch has pursued activities for new landfill design
in the research areas of pollutant identification, pollutant generation,
pollutant transport, pollutant control, and economics. These activities have
direct relationships to the remedial action schemes for uncontrolled landfill
sites. These research areas include bench, pilot, and field studies
accompanied by the predictive modeling work. This research activity has
produced eight technical resource documents (TRO's) ~ which reflect best
engineering judgement for the design of waste disposal facilities as relate to
landfills, land treatment, and surface impoundments.
The Disposal Branch also assists the Office of Emergency and Remedial
Response and several of the Regional Offices in the areas of regulation
development, technical and enforcement support, and assistance in the
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development of the National Contingency Planv '. This support typically
includes the development of technical documents describing the design and
construction of a variety of remedial action schemes which could be utilized
as control measures at uncontrolled landfill sites.
Major Outputs to Date
Major outputs in the remedial program to date include the following:
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Handbook - Remedial Action at Waste Disposal Sites
The Disposal Branch, in consort with the Office of Emergency and
Remedial Response, recently published the subject technology transfer
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document. With this information the reader can then develop a
preliminary remedial action plan and cost estimate. The objectives
of the Handbook are twofold: (1) to provide the reader with a
generalized understanding of the pollutant pathways involved in waste
disposal sites, the remedial actions as they apply to each pathway,
and the process of selecting the appropriate remedial actions; and
(2) to provide detailed information on specific remedial actions
including applications, state-of-the-art, design, construction,
and/or operating considerations, advantages, disadvantages and costs.
o Remedial Actions at Hazardous Waste Sites: Survey and Case Studies
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A survey of one hundred and sixty-nine waste disposal sites
was performed to identify what type of remedial action was
implemented. Technologies employed at these sites included: (1)
containment, (2) removal of wastes for incineration or secure burial,
(3) institution of surface water controls, and (4) institution of
groundwater controls. A major deficiency of this study was that only
9 of the 169 sites were able to be investigated in detail. The other
160 sites were given only a cursory survey investigation. Remedial
measures usually consisted of containment of contaminants or waste
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removal. The survey determined that a lack of sufficient funds
and/or selection of improper technologies was responsible for
remedial actions having been applied effectively at only a few of the
uncontrolled waste disposal sites. This survey is currently being
updated.
Guidance Manual for Minimizing Pollution from Waste Disposal Sites
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The purpose of this manual was to provide guidance in the
selection of available engineering technology to reduce or eliminate
leachate generation at hazardous waste disposal sites. The manual
emphasizes remedial measures for use during or after closure of the
sites. Some of the measures are passive, that is, they require
little or no maintenance once emplaced. Others are active and
require a continuing input of manpower or electricity.
Block Displacement Technique of Waste Isolation
A field demonstration of a technique to construct a clay
isolation barrier around hazardous waste sites was recently
completed. The block displacement technique is accomplished through
a phase sequence of drilling, fracturing, and bentonite slurry
injection around the bottom and sides of a waste disposal site with
the resultant upheaval of the waste site to form a block, isolated by
an impermeable bentonite barrier. We were unable to demonstrate the
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full isolation at the study site, especially in the vertical plane,
because of certain site specific anomalies such as the presence of
tree roots below the local groundwater level and the presence of a
variable iron-cemented strata immediately overlying the horizontal
plane of bentonite injection across the bottom. However, there was
evidence that the bentonite slurry did penetrate the horizontal
fracturing plane.
o Guidance Manual for Slurry Trench Design and Installation
A Guidance Manual for slurry trench cut-off wall design,
construction, and performance evaluation is near completion. It
provides recommendations on a variety of scientific and technical
parameters relevant to using this approach to isolate hazardous
chemicals in near-surface groundwater regimes. The accomplishment of
this effort required extensive information gathering and integration
of technical data gathered from a diverse array of experience and
authorities. Conclusive recommendations reported within the Guidance
Manual were determined by investigating areas of influence. These
areas included historical perspective, present methodology, chemical
compatibility tests, shortcomings of common backfill materials,
positive recommendations for resistant backfill materials, detailed
site soil and geologic characteristics which impact cut-off wall
success, vegetation, checklists of design construction, performance
factors, and documenting the quality and performance of completed
construction.
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Major Future Outputs
o Physical and Hydrogeologic Models for Hazardous Waste Sites
Remedial action alternatives for uncontrolled hazardous waste
sites must be described in terms of attenuation or mitigation of
existing or eminent public health/environmental problems, capital
costs, O&M costs, design life, and risk of failure. This task will
develop two complimentary levels of modeling. Level 1 will be a
relatively detailed modeling level for specific site engineering, and
will consider detailed site factors, contaminant migration, detailed
models of technologies, interrelationship among technologies, costs,
design lifes, and risk of failure. Level 2 will be simplified
desktop procedures for use primarily by state and federal personnel
for problem assessment, preliminary screening of the cost and
effectiveness of remedial actions, and rapid review of remedial
action plans. Level 2 will be based on sensitivity and factor
analysis of key site and technology characteristics using the
detailed Level 1 models. Both levels will describe the effectiveness
of remedial actions considering site factors and characterization of
the control technologies.
o Cost Analysis of the Effects of Human Safety and Degree of Hazard as
They Affect Remedial Actions at Uncontrolled Hazardous Waste Sites
This study will seek to determine the factors which contribute
to the increased costs and ascertain the magnitude of additional
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costs associated with various components of remedial action unit
operations. Primary source for data will be the private contractors
and project officials having knowledge of the specific elements of
project costs, and the manner in which these vary as a result of
proximity to hazardous waste materials. Estimates of the additional
costs incurred will be indicated in terms of percentages of ordinary
or usual costs, and in absolute terms where appropriate. The
information produced will be valuable to program offices and others
in evaluating costs of remedial actions.
o Update of Survey Information on Completed and Ongoing Remedial Action
Efforts
Since the time the study "Remedial Actions at Hazardous Waste
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Sites: Survey and Case Studies" was made more recent information
on remedial actions has become available. There is an obvious need
to bring together and analyze the current up-to-date information,
including effectiveness and cost. This information will serve as a
foundation for future decision making with regard to presently
uninitiated remedial action efforts.
o Reliability of Available Technologies when Considered with
Cost-Effectiveness
This study has been initiated to develop procedures for
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conducting the cost-effectiveness analysis at uncontrolled hazardous
waste sites. Various remedial action options are available for any
uncontrolled hazardous waste site. In broad categorical areas they
are: alternative measures, active measures, and passive measures
The "alternative measures" category Is meant to Include such
actions as moving the affected population away from the site or
providing alternative water supplies. The "active measures" would
Include treatment scenarios applied directly to the site such as
excavation and reburial In a secure site, waste stabilization,
neutralization, treatment and/or elimination of problem. "Passive
measures" would include entombment or isolation techniques using
slurry walls, grout curtains, capping, bottom sealing, etc.
o Collection of Data on Compatibility of Srouts with Hazardous Wastes
Available data from the literature and industrial sources will
be collected on the compatibility of various types of suspension and
chemical grouts with various classes of hazardous wastes and
leachates. In addition, information will be collected on the
procedures available to test the durability of grouts in the presence
of hazardous wastes and leachates.
o In Situ Treatment Techniques Applicable to Large Quantities of
Hazardous Waste Contaminated Soils
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The project addresses detoxification of large quantities of
hazardous waste contaminated soils located at Super-fund or other
uncontrolled hazardous waste sites. In situ chemical and/or
biological treatment methods presently available will be identified
and evaluated. The feasibility and effectiveness of these methods
will be assessed based on waste, soil type, site conditions and
economic considerations. The output, a technical handbook, will
include pertinent information concerning soil sorption and chemical
and soil interaction influences on waste degradation. The remedial
action identified as the most promising of the evaluated methods may
be applied in a follow-up study (Phase II) on a full scale basis at a
Superfund site.
Field Evaluation of Drum Encapsulation Techniques
A process for encapsulating drums containing hazardous waste is
being demonstrated. Efforts will include evaluating the
overpack/cover weld, resistance to physical stress (drop test,
puncture resistance, etc.)t and equipment performance. Mobility of
the process and equipment is important and evaluations will develop
criteria for mounting the hardware on a flat bed tractor/trailer
vehicle.
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o Development of Methods and Pilot Test for In Situ Hazardous Waste
Stabilization by Injection Grouting
This project will provide pilot scale tests to predict
applicability to specific sites with specific waste compounds and
expand the state-of-the-art to hazardous waste in situ stabilization
The pressure injection of grout to a variety of waste types will be
investigated to develop a matrix of grout types to waste types with
appropriate grout pressures and tube spacings included.
o Manuals
The Disposal Branch is currently preparing documents for release to the
user community during FY'83 and FY'84, Each of these user-oriented field
manuals is being prepared in close cooperation with representatives of private
organizations, and State and Federal agencies who would potentially use them.
These manuals include the following:
User Guide for Evaluating Remedial Action Technologies
The objective of this task is to produce a Remedial Action
Technical Resource Document (TRD) describing how the technologies and
methods for evaluating proposed RCRA new hazardous waste disposal
sites can be applied to site-specific remedial response activities
for uncontrolled hazardous waste sites. The Remedial Action Document
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win be based on the state-of-the-art technical and cost information
in eight TROs " for design and evaluation of new hazardous waste
disposal sites under RCRA. That information will be reviewed for
relevance to remedial response at uncontrolled hazardous waste
disposal sites, and will be edited and refocussed to address the
needs of personnal involved in response and remedial action planning
under CERCLA.
Guidance Manual for Fixation/Solidification of Wastes in Surface
Impoundments
This project will define the limits of applicability of
fixation/solidification techniques to remedial actions at
uncontrolled sites when considered in perspective with alternative or
competing options. Information will be drawn from available fixation/
solidification technology. The major problem with using these
techniques at uncontrolled hazardous waste sites is that the
composition of the waste is often unknown.
Guidance Manual for Cover Design and Installation
A specification manual for the selection, design, and
installation of covers or surface caps for uncontrolled hazardous
waste sites is being prepared. Much of the information developed
in it ??
from two existing EPA reports will be incorporated into this
manual that will be specific to the problems of uncontrolled sites.
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REFERENCES
1. U.S. Congress, Public Law 96-510, "Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980," Washington, D.C. 1980.
2. G.F. Bennett, F.S. Feates, and I. Wilder, "Hazardous Materials Spills
Handbook," McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York, NY, 1982, pp 9-24 through
9-39.
3. J.E. Brugger, J.J. Yezzi, Jr., I. Wilder, F.J. Freestone, R.A. Miller, and
C. Pfrommer, Jr., "The EPA-ORD Mobile Incineration System: Present
Status," Proceedings of the 1982 Hazardous Materials Spills Conference,
Milwaukee, WI, April 1982, pp 116-126.
4. New York Times Newspaper, "Missing Chemicals Found in a Lake in
Mississippi," New York, NY, September 28, 1981.
5. R.A. Meyer and W.L. Stone, "Development of a Hazardous Substance Incident
Data Base for Response Personnel," Proceedings of the 1982 Hazardous
Materials Spills Conference, Milwaukee, WI, April 1982, pp 381-387.
6. R. Scholz and J. Milanowski, "Mobile System for Extracting Spilled
Hazardous Materials from Excavated Soils," Proceedings of the 1982
Hazardous Materials Spills Conference, Milwaukee, WI, April 1982, pp
111-115.
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