Demonstration of innovative remedial action technologies at United States military dioxin contaminated sites

Abstract

The United States Air Force is currently seeking to resolve problems associated with soils contaminated with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlordibenzo-p-dioxin (dioxin). Air Force use of the phenoxy herbicide formulation known as Herbicide Orange has resulted in soil contamination of three military sites in the Continental United States. To resolve these problems, the U.S. Air Force Engineering and Services Laboratory and its prime contractor, EG&G Idaho, have initiated a research program to evaluate, under field conditions, technologies that may reduce the level of dioxins in contaminated soils. Two pilot-scale technologies: (1) advanced electric reactor, developed by the J.M. Huber Corp., Borger, Texas, and (2) thermal desorption/U.V. destruction, developed by the I.T. Corp., Knoxville, Tennessee, have been tested at a military installation in the Southeastern United States. Although independent confirmation of technology success is pending, preliminary test results indicate that both technologies are capable of reducing the levels of dioxin in contaminated soils from 240 parts per billion to less than 1 part per billion. These data suggest that either of the technologies could be employed for full-scale site restoration. Field trials of two additional technologies are scheduled for late 1985.