Determination of the effect of exposure to gasoline components on a high density polyethylene geomembrane using the comprehensive test system

Abstract

The comprehensive testing system (CTS) for geomembranes was used to test the compatibility of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembrane landfill liner material with chemicals typically found in motor vehicle fuel. The CTS is a testing apparatus specifically designed to test the effects of simultaneously applying mechanical load, fluid head, and chemical exposure on the geomembrane. A combination of these factors is present on the geomembrane material in service, and the CTS provides a laboratory reproduction of actual field conditions. The article provides a description of gasoline based upon the desirable qualities of gasoline and provides background on testing of rubbers used in gasoline-powered engine parts. The test's chemicals were gasoline, motor oil, benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene, xylenes, and iso-octane (2,2,4 trimethyl pentane). This work found that gasoline had an effect on the geomembrane greater than the effect of any of the pure chemicals except ethylbenzene. Benzene, and the other aromatic compounds (ethylbenzene, toluene, and xylenes) are typically the primary regulatory concerns at fuel contaminated sites. The fact that gasoline had a greater effect on the performance of the HDPE geomembrane indicated that chemicals are present in gasoline which can decrease the performance of the containment structures used to hold gasoline, while not having a significant health risk. The clear implication is that risk assessments conducted on facilities must not only include the health risks of chemicals placed in a facility, but must also consider the effect of the chemical on a containment structure. The fact that low-health-risk chemicals may have a great impact on the effectiveness of containment structures leads to a possible synergistic mechanism where the low-health-risk chemicals enable a pathway for greater-health-risk chemicals to enter the environment.