Alternative Ways To Dispose Of Toxic Waste

Sources of toxic waste include industry, health care, agriculture or post-consumer waste such as used batteries and household chemicals. Toxic waste can be recycled, treated to produce less toxic substances or stored. Environmental contamination occurs when dumping or spills release toxic substances into soil or water.

Chemical Decontamination

Chemical processing can transform materials so they become nontoxic. According to a review of research published in Chemistry and Industry in 2004, the enzymes organophosphorus hydrolase and organophosphorus acid anhydrolase can make organophospate substances, including nerve gases, nontoxic. They also have the potential to decontaminate pesticides.

Bioremediation

Bacteria, fungi and plants can absorb toxic substances and then store the toxic substances or turn them into usable nutrients or less toxic products. According to Agricultural Research, ocean bacteria helped clean up the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Researchers in Louisiana discovered a mushroom with the Latin name Marasmiellus troyanus growing at an abandoned petroleum refinery. Testing at Tulane University showed it decomposed 90 percent of the benzo(a)pyrene from soil.

Incineration

Burning of health-care waste destroys pathogens and toxic substances. According to a study published in Waste Management and Research in 2007, combustion at temperatures between 900 and 1,200 degrees Celsius maintained for a long enough time reduces toxic waste to ash without emissions. Researchers warn against incinerating heavy metals, reactive chemicals and radioactive waste.

Electrokinetics

Removal of contaminants from soil usually requires digging up the site and washing, burning or filtering the soil. Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology showed using an electrical field removed 75 percent of phenol from clay. The process works by electro-osmosis, a process in which positively charged ions in the soil travel toward the negative cathode and pull the water. Researchers suggest using pumps to add water at the positive cathode and pump the water and toxic waste from the negative cathode.