ANALYTICAL SURVEY OF ELEMENTS IN VETERINARY COLLEGE INCINERATOR ASHES

While appreciable attention has been given to the elemental compositio n of ashes from municipal solid waste incinerators, relatively little information is available on the elemental content of incinerators burn ing animal carcasses and medical wastes. In the work reported here, an analytical survey was conducted of the concentration of 22 elements i n the ashes of incinerators located at veterinary colleges or animal d isease diagnostic laboratories in seven states. With the exception of Zn, the concentrations of most elements were well below these found in ashes from municipal solid waste incinerators. Conversely, Ca, P and K were much higher in concentration probably deriving largely from bon es, teeth and other organs of animals. There was an indication that bu rned plastic wastes were a source of Pb in the ashes. The concentratio ns of several toxic elements varied widely probably due to variations in initial waste composition, incinerator design and operating paramet ers, The concentrations of soluble salts in the ashes were appreciable . Organic matter in the ashes was low to nondetectable indicating the completeness of incineration.