Science studies hazardous materials problems (1981)

at ciba-geigy research scientists create products which enrich the quality of our lives products to increase our food supply dyes and pigments which surround us with color pharmaceuticals to improve our health products which reaffirm the value of science to mankind as part of its continuing program in support of science education ciba-geigy is pleased to present this issue of the science screen report the science green report developments in science engineering and medicine that help solve the problems of modern life almost all objects in everyday life clothing food cars homes involve hazardous materials in their production making a TV circuit boards itched with hydrofluoric acid Manufacturing a car several hazardous chemicals and wastes about 150 kilograms of hazardous materials are created per person every year this is a report on efforts by science and engineering to solve the problems of hazardous materials ignitable corrosive reactive or toxic substances these are hazardous chemical wastes improperly disposed of once in the soil one response to the problem is to dig trenches around the dump to allow collection of any hazardous materials which may seep out the material can then be drawn off and treated separately new laws now govern cleanup of such sites a more complex serious issue is making certain today's hazardous materials don't cause problems tomorrow as the following examples suggest each hazardous waste problem requires its own total management program at a rhode island chemical plant 6,000 kilograms of zinc hazardous and high concentrations is used daily and production of pharmaceuticals in this case recovery and reuse of zinc wastes was found safe and cost effective part of the New England regional hazardous wastes management program California's electronics industry wastes are recorded on tracking forms including amounts concentrations and disposal systems part of a state management program now required nationwide the materials are then transported by a licensed callers using special trucks to approve disposal sites on-site samples are drawn and analyzed to double-check toxic characteristics a treatment plan is set up for those specific wastes in this case involving clay lined solar evaporation ponds after seven to ten years ponds are dried and bottom solids waste components still defined as hazardous by law deposited in sealed monitored landfill in Texas a state plan deals with all hazardous wastes this petrochemical complex makes industrial resins chemicals for food containers car paints and hundreds of other uses resulting hazardous wastes take the form of organic gases liquids and solids organic liquids delivered tank cars are stored blended with other materials and incinerators semi solid materials are placed in fiber packs loaded into rotary kilns and incinerated solids go into a chemically sealed landfill a container whose bottom sides and top are chemically secured barriers such landfills are monitored by our sampling wells from which nearby soil samples are periodically drawn for testing state law requires recording of all such sites followed by monitoring for 20 years the following film sequences represent systematic procedures employed by the chemical industry for safe ongoing management of toxic materials as the first step any substances to be added to the environment flame-retardant food additive pesticide and their byproducts and waste products our laboratory tested to determine possible health hazards tests begin with direct exposure of living cells in Petri dishes to the new substance the criteria mutagenicity carcinogenicity toxicity that is will the new substance effect living cells so that they mutate become cancerous or die test materials are also mixed into food and fed to experimental animals the question is there a threshold level for effects in food [Music] exposure also results from inhalation breathing in chemicals these inhalation chambers simulate such exposure for given time periods and concentrations [Music] subsequent studies of test animal tissue determine possible cell damage a test sequence may take many years and cost millions of dollars for a single new substance the goal to ensure that the new substance causes no harm either by making certain it is safe or by learning how to best manage it the production site must also be made safe at this ethylene plant among other safeguards and air quality flare consumes waste hydrocarbons converting them to carbon dioxide and water the player is continuously monitored from a control room which also keeps track of other safety systems work areas are likewise monitored protective programs include ongoing health histories for each worker and periodic medical examinations exposure to any harmful substances detected by a personal air pollutant monitors calibrated miniaturized air sampling pumps which operate continuously air drawn through a filter is analyzed to determine exposure for the day the goal employee protection through ongoing medical surveillance [Music] delivery of hazardous materials is also monitored by the manufacturer until the substances reach their destination for some cargos special cars designed specifically to survive derailment intact are used routing is done by shippers working with manufacturers so to if possible bypass densely populated areas before loading an inbound inspection detects possible container problems an inspection repeated in the loading area checks include both wheels and running gear as well as all tank valves and fittings loading the right materials in the right carriers is followed by an outbound inspection and a final check at pickup by the carrier for inspections in all [Music] from then on the manufacturer continuously tracks his cargo to destination if there's a delay or other problem he carries out rerouting or another previously planned response today the industry has a comprehensive system for managing any hazardous material contaminated water can be processed to alter acidity remove suspended solids or deal with oxygen consuming materials before discharge [Music] the liquid is monitored throughout treatment and the river after treatment ensuring quality standards other wastes may be incinerated a process with several stages first combustion by a natural gas yielding carbon dioxide and water next possible recycling and reuse of some waste components [Music] finally an irreducible minimum of solid wastes ash and others some hazardous to be disposed of as secured hazardous waste landfill should protect nearby underground water supplies a layer of compacted clay is added to any natural clay present the goal sufficient compacted play so to adequately seal off wastes from groundwater creating an impervious clay container when the landfill is full it is then sealed compacted clay placed atop it then topsoil which is receded monitoring wells encircle the site reaching down into the groundwater whose impurity levels are regularly recorded regular sampling reveals changes in those levels and so any materials moving off site because groundwater moves slowly any such escaping wastes can be extracted by interception systems technology of course is only as good as the people who operate it and today's chemical industry workers are aware of their legal and moral responsibilities hazardous wastes are generated in making most manufactured goods growing and protecting foods purifying water producing medicines and other industries which contribute to our way of life effective methods now exist for comprehensive safe efficient management of those hazardous materials from generation to transport to final disposal [Music] moreover current answers are the basis for ongoing research efforts aimed at further improvements science screen report has been presented by CBI geese McIntosh Alabama plant producers of over 100 industrial and agricultural chemicals as part of its continuing program in support of science education [Music]