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Investigation of TCLP
Leachability of Leaded CRT Glass
Investigators
Timothy G. Townsend, Principal Investigator
Stephen Musson, Graduate Research Assistant
Yong-Chul Jang, Graduate Research Assistants
Sponsor
Florida Center for Solid and Hazardous Waste Management
Project Description
The management of discarded electronics (sometimes
referred to as "brown goods") is an issue of growing
concern to waste management professionals. The concern
over discarded electronics results from the ever increasing
magnitude of this waste stream and its contribution of heavy
metals to municipal solid waste. Lead is one of these
heavy metals, and the primary source of lead in discarded
electronics is the cathode ray tube (CRT). CRTs are the
prime components of computer monitors and televisions.
They are manufactured of leaded glass to shield users from
x-rays. Technology does exist to recycle CRTs, but
recycling is more expensive than landfill disposal. It has
been suggested that if CRTs are required to be managed as a
hazardous waste under U.S. regulations, than the economics may
favor recycling. While CRTs are often referred to as
hazardous wastes, there is no supporting evidence in the
scientific literature. This research was conducted to
measure whether CRTs exceed the toxicity characteristic of 5
mg/l for lead using the toxicity characteristic leaching
procedure (TCLP).
Project Status
Work has been completed on the scope of work funded by
the Florida Center. The results of this work are
summarized in the final report. Download
the Final Report as a PDF file. Work is continuing on
lead leachability from CRT glass using other leaching procedures
such as the synthetic precipitation leaching procedure (SPLP).
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