Dumps, Landfills and Emerging Contaminants in the Canadian North

Transcription

1 Dumps, Landfills and Emerging Contaminants in the Canadian North Monica Danon-Schaffer, PhD, P.Eng. CH2MHill 2015 RPIC Federal Contaminated Sites Regional Workshop Edmonton, Alberta June 2015 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

2 2 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

3 3 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

4 Topics of Discussion 1. Emerging Contaminants of Concern 2. Why Do We Care? 3. Challenges in the Canadian North 4. Sources of Emerging Contaminants 5. End-of-Life Management 6. Landfills and Dumpsites 7. Policies 8. What Happens Next? 4 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

5 What are Emerging Contaminants? Any chemical mixture or hazardous material with the potential to cause adverse human health, public safety, or environmental effects Any synthetic or naturally occurring chemical not typically monitored in the environment but recently detected in the environment Limited toxicity information available Concern with the length of exposure time Compounds designated as candidate Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) 5 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

6 What if we have emerging contaminants in upholstery mattresses electronics white goods vehicle parts auto shredder residue 6 Source: Alex Stone, WA Department of Ecology 6 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

7 Why Do We Care? Persistent, bioaccumulative, long-range transport (PBT) Find their way into food chain and human population Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) Concentrations in the environment have been increasing since the 1970s Leach out of products; end up in sewage Persist for decades; end-of-life disposal implications 7 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

8 Challenges in the Canadian North If contaminant is detected in the Arctic, automatically presume it is persistent, subject to long range transport and likely bioacummulative Environmental pollution trends Many declined in Arctic over past 20 years Others influenced with no visible trend Criteria met for definition of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) Extent and degree of contamination poorly understood Release of contaminants Contaminants stored in: permafrost, sea ice, glaciers 8 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

9 Challenges in the Canadian North Problems with landfills (dumpsites) across Canada Canadian North (i.e. north of 60 o N) Most dumpsites unlined, some adjacent to water bodies, unauthorized dumping and/or uncontrolled access Northern dumpsites contain different waste streams than southern Canada Need to know nature and presence of emerging contaminant problem at dumpsites across the Canadian North 9 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

10 Emerging Contaminants in the Canadian Arctic Background on current POPs Legacy POPs 23 (historical use) Bioaccumulate, persistent, toxic, long range transport Emerging chemicals Many hazardous chemicals still being used commercially No yet regulated nationally/internationally: BFRs, PFOAs, current used pesticides, heavy metals (Hg, coal burning, accidents) Radioactive material (Chernobyl 1986, Fukushima 2011): incomplete decommissioning, inadequate storage of waste 10 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

11 What if these emerging contaminants were Originating from consumer goods, ending up in dumpsites? Degrading and showing up in leachate, indicating their persistence in different environmental media? More common in southern landfills than in northern landfills? BPA, PBDEs, TBBPA, HBCD, PFCs, PCNs, SCCPs, PCPs/PCAs, PCBs, NPs 11 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

12 New Chemicals of Concern Chemicals undergoing current screening in Arctic*: Perfluorocarboxilates (PFCAs) Perfluoroalkylsulphonates (PFSAs) Fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) Perfluorosulphonamido-alcohols (PFTOHs) Siloxanes Organophosphate flame retardants *Northern Contaminants Program 12 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

13 Current Emerging Chemicals of Concern Stockholm Convention assessing (October 2014): Dicofol: organochlorinated pesticide related to DDT Deca-BDE: bioaccumulation/biomagnification discussion and its debromination to lower brominated congeners Short chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs): used as plasticizers, flame retardants, additives in metal working fluids, in sealants, paints and coatings Dicofol Deca-BDE SCCP 13 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

14 Emerging Contaminants of Concern Dicofol Short-chained chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) Pentachlorophenols (PCPs)* Pentachloroanisole (PCA)* Hexachlorobutadiene (HCBD)** Chlorinated naphthalenes Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) Perfluorooctane sulphonate (PFOs)* Deca-BDE *Restricted use; **Unintentional production Risk profile phase Elimination under Stockholm Convention (May 2015) Risk management evaluation 14 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

15 Emerging Contaminants Common Uses Siloxane: Intermediates in silicon polymer production SCCP: lubricants, surface coatings, rubber/leather finishing; highly toxic to aquatic invertebrates and algae, toxic to liver, kidney, thyroid; persistent, bioaccumulates. SCCP use in China: amount could exceed entire existing historic worldwide usage of PCBs (30 fold increase to >600,000 tonnes, between ) PCN: cable insulation, wood preservative, engine oil additive, capacitor fluids, dye intermediate, flame retardant PCP/PCA (penta chloroanisole): PCP is breakdown product of HCB (hexachlorobenzene) and HCHD (hexachlorohexane). PCP transformed into PCA and back into PCP. Both need to be considered together 15 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

16 Some Sources of Emerging Contaminants Consumers: pharmaceuticals, nanomaterials in personal care products (e.g. sunscreens), detergents (e.g. fluorescent brighteners) Industrial sources: Pharmaceuticals nanomaterials Agricultural sources: farming 16 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

17 Specific Emerging Contaminants Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

18 Organic Chemistry Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

19 Brominated Flame Retardants HO Br Br O Br X Br Y Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) CH 3 CH 3 Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) Br Br Br H OH H Br H Br H H H H H H H H H H Br H H H Br H H Br Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) 19 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

20 Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs) Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) Electric and electronic equipment (EEE), carpets, polyurethane foam in sofas, vehicle interiors Additive flame retardant Persistent, bioaccumulative, long range transport Added to products to reduce ignition Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) Thermal insulation in buildings (polystyrene) Backcoating of textiles in upholstery (extruded polystyrene foam) Electric & electronic equipment (EEE) (High impact polystyrene) High bioaccumulation potential, additive flame retardant 20 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

21 Nanoparticles One billionth of a metre in size Proven toxicity to microorganisms, fish, and humans Canadian legislation addressing nanomaterial through CEPA (1999) via risk management Potential for toxicity upon recombination with other products or degradation Products containing nanoparticles: powder-coated products, flat screen televisions Behaviour and fate in landfills not understood, environmental consequences being studied Contain: Silver: antibacterial agent Silicon oxide (SiO 2 ): polishing/binding agent Titanium oxide (TiO 2 ): solar cells Zinc oxide (ZnO): UV absorber in sunscreens Potential release of nanomaterials in landfills due to harsh conditions los ph, high reducing conditions enhance polymer breakdown 21 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

22 What do these products have in common? 22 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

23 OR these??? Bisphenol A (BPA) 23 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

24 Perfluorinated Compounds (PFCs) Fully fluorinated hydrophobic linear carbon chain attached to 1 or more hydrophilic heads WWTP: non-ionic PFCs transform into PFOS and PFOA, with minimal removal efficiency Sewage sludge and hence crop uptake No known degradation; thus it is one of the most persistent chemicals Long half lives - years 24 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

25 Perfluorinated Compounds (PFCs) Perfluorooctane sulphonate salts (PFOS) used mostly in fire fighting foams Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) used as emulsifier to produce fluoropolymers (PTFE or Teflon) Persistent, non degradable, toxic, bioaccumulate Uses: surface treatments, stain repellant, coating surfaces (non-stick cookware, electronic components), fire-fighting foams, waxes, food packaging 25 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

26 End of Life (EOL) Management Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

27 End of Life (EOL) Management 27 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

28 End-of-Life (EOL) Management Thermal treatment Landfills Wastewater treatment Granular activated carbon, reverse osmosis Recycling Mechanical: sorting, dismantling Feedstock: recovering bromine and energy in electronic equipment POPs stockpiles and wastes Handled, transported, stored environmentally sound 28 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

29 End-of-Life (EOL) Management PBDE EOL management: Separate products containing BFRs prior to recycling Establish national control implementation plans to recycle PBDE-containing waste and reduce further contamination Implement efficient screening and separation techniques for PBDE-containing materials Prevent export of products containing PBDEs PFOS EOL management: No landfilling unless leachate is properly treated Analyse drinking water from reservoirs and wells in close proximity to landfills 29 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

30 Waste management 101 Waste management: landfills, dumpsites EOL management PCBs in transformers PBDEs and HBCDs in electronics, building insulation, vehicles Fluorescent light bulbs mercury containing Releases emphasize importance of continued monitoring of these regulated chemicals ~300,000 chemicals in use around the globe, increases by 300/yr (AMAP, 2015) 30 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

31 Typical landfill solid waste glass paper compostables plastics furniture metals carpet waste haz waste white goods electronics demo material sand, soil and ash road construction 31 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

32 Landfills vs. Dumpsites really??? Landfills: geomembrane layers, leachate and gas collection systems Dumpsites: unorganized areas of rubbish collection Location, socioeconomic conditions, disposal methods, age, sampling and sorting procedures Evolution and changes in leachate composition driven by ph, O2 and temperature to waste layers 32 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

33 Leachate Formation in a Landfill/Dumpsite Leachate generation Typical contaminants No material completely impervious to leachate Improper leachate control may not be noticed until years later Water from precipitation, snow and waste percolates through rubbish layers Metals, organic compounds, (i.e. carcinogens, EDCs, etc.), PBDEs, and dissolved organic matter 33 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

34 Applications of Engineered Nanoparticles (ENPs) Cosmetics / textiles Medical devices 34 Electronics / optics Water treatment Catalysts/ fuel cells ~1,300 items in consumer products (2011) 520% increased from 2006 Potential for broad range of future applications ( 34 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide g) Growing concerns over adverse effects of ENPs to biota

35 Nanomaterials fate in landfills If nanomaterials bound in liquid/gel products (cosmetics, sun screens, hair products), from manufacturing processes transferred to leachate stream More work needed to determine what happens when they enter leachate stream or percolate thru geomembrane liner 35 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

36 Uncontrolled landfill 36 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

37 Uncontrolled landfill cont d 37 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

38 Uncontrolled landfill cont d 38 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

39 Uncontrolled landfill cont d 39 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

40 Nanomaterials: Fate in Landfills Definition: particles with 3 dimensions < 100 nm. Nanomaterial defined: 1 dimension between nm Properties: thermal, catalytic, electronic Engineered nanomaterials (NM) used in health and fitness products Fate of disposed NM probably be a function of product matrix and NM surface characteristics Yearly production approximately: 350 tonnes/yr for nano- Ag, 500 tonnes/yr for carbon nanotubes, 5000 tonnes/yr for TiO 2 Fate and behaviour in landfills not understood need to evaluate potential particle releases 40 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

41 Policies Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

42 The Precautionary Principle 42 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

43 The Precautionary Principle Introduced in Germany during the 1970s Responsibility to protect people from exposure to harm if a credible risk exists Burden of proof falls on those who advocate policy First step Experience gained from pesticides (think Silent Spring, 1962) (cancer) Influenced current regulations on pesticides Safety factors used in risk assessments Second step Modern environmental movement (think Our Stolen Future, 1996) (endocrine disrupting chemicals) 43 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

44 The Precautionary Principle Burden of proof regarding harmful chemical need not apply for action to be taken Apply proactive approach with endof-life management Potential for toxicity during upon degradation or debromination into other products Early action to fully assess chemicals before they are released for use 44 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

45 The Precautionary Principle 45 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

46 Chemicals Elimination and Management Stockholm Convention Basel Convention Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) UNEP: Minamata Convention on Mercury (2013) Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP) Economic Commission for Europe 46 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

47 Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Criteria for POPs: Persistent, Bioaccumulative, Toxic, Long Range Transport Original Dirty Dozen + Mercury (1998) Precautionary Principle applies Candidate POPs in consumer products: PBDEs, PFCs Candidate POPs in industrial chemicals*: SCCP, PCN, HBB *SCCP: Short-Chained Chlorinated Paraffins, PCN: Polychlorinated Napthalenes, HBB: Hexabromobiphenyl 47 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

48 Basel Convention on Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal Protects environment and human health against adverse effects regarding movement and disposal of hazardous wastes Regulates international movement of hazardous waste Addresses environmentally sound storage, disposal and export of hazardous wastes Allows PBDE-containing waste products to be exported 48 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

49 What Happens Next?? Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

50 Here s what we know (or not) Fukushima Daichii nuclear power plant Thousands of kilometres away from Arctic but can still pose a risk Because of environmental monitoring data (from AMAP) the radioactive isotopes from Fukushima were fingerprinted Big lag time between emergence of chemicals of concern and regs put in place to control the production and release to atmosphere Do we have emerging contaminant problem in Yukon, NWT, NT? Are monitoring wells properly installed to capture DNAPLs? Do we have sufficient data to add these emerging contaminants to the Stockholm Convention list? 50 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

51 What Happens Next? Need to control emerging chemicals of concern Pathways of exposure for PFCs are not well known Fate is not confirmed in some cases PFC intermediate for potential toxicities needs investigating Chemical properties of other PFCs lacking Research on fluorinated polymer degradation NM fate in landfills poorly understood 51 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

52 What happens next (cont d) Environmentally sound disposal and recycling operations for PBDEs are not well defined Little testing conducted on many chemicals released into environment every year AMAP can help compile data to evaluate effectiveness of new contaminants and provide supporting info to add a contaminant to the Stockholm Convention Monitoring studies/time trends for years before statistically significant data can be evaluated properly Focus on challenges associated with test methods, risk management, alternative technologies, and proper end-oflife disposal 52 Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide

53 Thank You Innovation that Provides Sustainable Solutions to Complex Local Challenges, Worldwide