Mixed Waste Electric Arc Furnace Dust

Electric arc furnace dust is a listed hazardous chemical waste. This material is deemed hazardous because it contains relatively high concentrations of heavy metals. The waste consists of the emission control dust or sludge collected from electric arc furnaces during the manufacture of iron and steel. The principle chemicals of concern and their concentrations are listed in Table 7.5 (EPA, 1988). 

The first part of the following analysis considers the toxic metals in this waste and evaluates the waste for near-surface disposal. In a second part of this example, the waste is presumed to be contaminated by 137Cs from sources inadvertently included in scrap metals that are recycled into the manufacturing process. 

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