A REVIEW OF POLYMERIC GEOSYNTHETICS USED IN HAZARDOUS-WASTE FACILITIES

The generation of hazardous wastes from various sources including chem ical industries, hospitals, households, etc., is a worldwide problem a nd is particularly acute in the United States. The petrochemical and r efinery industries produce about 70% of this waste. Geographically, th e greatest production of hazardous wastes is known to occur along the United State Gulf coast. Presently, it is estimated that about 80% of the total waste remains toxic for years or even centuries. Inappropria te disposal of these wastes on land creates the risk of contaminating ground water and vegetation causing adverse health effects. This revie w addresses the geotechnical aspects of the problems related to the ma nagement of hazardous waste by the use of polymeric materials as 'barr iers'. Important findings of research efforts on this topic from 1980 through mid-1994 are discussed. The review gives an awareness to the g eneral public and addresses points of interest to field engineers and technologists for the proper handling of wastes by the use of the poly meric geosynthetics acting as membranes or barriers.