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55 <br />ash is processed to recycle the ferrous and nonferrous metals and the remainder is <br />graded and used in road and other construction. <br />The biological processes produce residues as well. These are of two types: (1) inert <br />residues that are landfilled and (2) organic residues that can be cured to be a soil <br />amendment or compost. Biological WPT are mass reduction technologies so that <br />contaminants such as heavy metals are concentrated in the residue. Tests for these <br />contaminants need to be conducted during operations and appropriate measures <br />taken. <br />For all but the high- temperature thermal options and the anaerobic digestion system, <br />an ash will be generated. Bottom ash will be discharged from the bottom of the <br />furnace chamber, and fly ash will be collected by the air pollution control system. In <br />accordance with applicable law, WTE ash must be tested to ensure it is non- <br />hazardous. The test is called the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP). <br />Generally, the bottom ash has not been classified as a hazardous material, subject to <br />ash testing and analysis. Fly ash, however, will have a higher concentration of heavy <br />metals and may also contain residual organics. As such, it would likely be classified <br />as a hazardous material if it fails toxicity testing, unless it is combined with bottom <br />ash, as is the current U.S. practice. <br />It should be noted that communities with aggressive, comprehensive recycling <br />programs and programs focused on removing toxics from the MSW stream, such as <br />those to divert used electronics (e- waste), household hazardous waste (HHW), <br />mercury thermometers, fluorescent light fixtures, batteries, various metals and white <br />goods, and the like, could be expected to have a post- diversion MSW stream for <br />combustion containing less toxic materials and thus the ash from combustion to have <br />a lower potential to exhibit hazardous characteristics upon TCLP testing. <br />The solids residual from high temperature systems, such as plasma -arc or pyrolysis, <br />may have a better opportunity for end -use applications and marketing. These <br />glassy -type granules may be classified as non - hazardous and used in construction <br />materials or as a fill. <br />Vendors claim the substrate after digestion is beneficially processed and recovered, <br />with the residue from anaerobic digestion is nothing more than stones, glass or <br />similar items, which is normally directed to a solid waste landfill. However, <br />digestion, like combustion, is a concentrating process. This is the result of the <br />organic matter being converted to gas and utilized or released into the atmosphere. <br />As a result toxic materials in the waste will be part of the residue but in a higher <br />concentration than in the original feedstock. These claims are unproven in plants <br />operating using MSW as feedstock. <br />5.3 Environmental Issues of Waste Processing Technologies <br />5.3.1 Air Quality <br />5.3.1.1 Applicable Regulations <br />Solid waste incinerators, which the U.S. EPA refers to as Municipal Waste <br />Combustors, are regulated under the federal Clean Air Act, originally passed by <br />Congress in 1963 and updated in 1967, 1970, 1977,1990 and 1995 and 1998. <br />Numerous city and local governments have enacted similar legislation, either <br />GBB/C08027 -01 26 August 15, 2008 <br />