RISK REDUCTION THROUGH REGULATORY CONTROL OF WASTE-DISPOSAL FACILITY SITING

Structural failure of hazardous waste management facilities and conseq uent undesirable environmental and human health effects can result fro m natural and human-made hazards in sensitive environments. Potential hazards include catastrophic release of toxic materials into water, so il, and air; rapid and widespread transport of hazardous contaminants; and impracticable cleanup measures. Site-specific factors and facilit y type control the magnitude of the above-stated risks. Various approa ches can be adopted to minimize potential facility damages and environ mental degradation, including control of the facility's location and d esign conservatism. Since a host of economic and administrative factor s are important to hazardous waste facility siting, the provision of i ncentives to facility planners to adopt good siting practices may enha nce the implementation of siting plans that reduce risk. Several envir onments are assessed for their sensitivity to damages from hazardous w aste installations. Measures of minimizing risk through location and d esign controls are discussed.