Organic components in leachates from hazardous waste disposal sites

Organic compounds and inorganic elements were determined in leachates from 11 landfill sites in Japan, With regard to the inorganic elements, the conc entration of boron was found to be fairly high. More than 100 organic compo unds were detected and several important compounds such as organic phosphat es, 1,4-dioxane, phthalates, and bisphenol A were present at high concentra tions. Waste plastics are a possible origin for these compounds. The ratio of characterized compounds to total organic carbon was unexpectedly low. Ph enols and ethers were the main components as deduced from the carbon conten ts. Most of the chlorine appears to be present as non-volatile substances.