DIGEST 2006 - Sabita

The total analysis of the bitumens
showed that they contained small
amounts of volatile aromatic
hydrocarbons, notably the BETX
compounds and trimethylbenzene
isomers, plus low amounts of
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
(PAHs) such as naphthalene,
anthracene, phenanthrene and
pyrene: none of the PAHs
observed are classified as known
human or animal carcinogens.
provided the estimated
environmental concentration is
less that the acceptable risk limit
of the species, in this case Pb.
Therefore, all the penetration
grade bitumens delisted for
disposal to general waste sites and
can be disposed to medium or
large general waste landfills that
have a leachate management
system, i.e. GMB+ or GLB+.
Traces of chloroform, bromodichloromethane
and phthalate
esters were also detected in some
of the samples. Although these
organic species were identified in
the bitumen samples, only toluene
was detected in the leach solutions
– but at trace levels close to the
detection limit of 1ppb. There are,
therefore, no
organic compounds
leached from the
samples that can
have a significant
impact on the
environment.
Two samples of the
penetration grade
bitumen, B and D,
leached Pb at
concentrations just
above its acceptable
risk limit of 0.10
mg/l and, therefore
formally classify as
high hazard (HG2) wastes in terms
of the Minimum Requirements.
Samples A and C formally
classified as non-hazardous in
terms of the Minimum
Requirements. Even though a
waste formally classifies as
hazardous it can be delisted for
disposal to a general waste landfill
There are no
organic
compounds
leached from
the samples
that can have
a significant
impact on the
environment.
Final report
The final report produced early in
2003 proposed that application be
made to DWAF for approval of the
delisting of penetration grade
bitumens and that this include a
request also for disposal to GBsites
because GB+ landfills are not
available in many
areas within a
reasonable
transport distance.
In their reply
received on the 9th
June 2004 DWAF
gave permission for
bitumen waste to
be considered
delisted subject to
the conditions that
if any uncertainty
exists about
whether a specific
material falls within
the tested parameters, then
further analysis and leachate tests
may be required. The delisted
material may only be disposed of
on a permitted facility, after the
Permit Holder has applied and
received written permission from
DWAF.
127