Decontamination techniques for mobile response equipment used at waste sites (state-of-the-art survey)

Abstract

A state-of-the-art review of facility and equipment decontamination, contamination assessment, and contamination avoidance has been conducted. This review, based on an intensive literature search and a survey of various equipment manufacturers, provides preliminary background material on the subject. The information developed here constitutes an important “head start” for those who need to establish preventive measures, decontamination plans, and procedures for response personnel and cleanup equipment used at hazardous waste sites. The study discusses various decontamination methods, such as use of solvents to wash off contaminants, use of chemical means to degrade contaminants, and use of physical means to remove contaminants. Chemical and physical testing methods designed to assess the nature of the contaminant and the quantity and extent of contamination were also investigated. Also discussed in the full report are procedures that can be used to prevent contamination of response equipment and personnel. These preventive procedures are: enclosures to prevent spread of contaminants, safety features on response equipment to prevent spills and leaks, protective coatings on response equipment surfaces, and use of protective clothing and furnishings for personnel. Three case studies were also reviewed: The Three Mile Island cleanup, the “Vulcanus” incinerator ship cleanup (dioxins and PCBs), and PCB cleanups in Binghamton, New York. The review has identified several methods that could be of value in effectively decontaminating response equipment units, such as a mobile incinerator at a reasonable cost.