[GreenYes] Flame retardants in landfill leachate

["Reindl, John" <Reindl@no.address>]

In a scoping study on the fate of brominated flame retardants an chlorinated
paraffins, the Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU) found the
retardants in the leachate of each of the landfills that they tested. The
retardants -- which are used in textiles, foam rubber, computer and other
electronic product housings, and other products -- were found to be attached
to the solids in the leachate. 

A report of the findings is on the webpage of the Norwegian Pollution
Control Authority at
http://www.sft.no/publikasjoner/overvaking/1924/ta1924.pdf. Although in
Norwegian, the data of the landfill leachate are easy to read (nanograms per
gram, wet weight) on page 19 of the report, where 2 samples from each of 6
landfills are listed.

John Reindl, Recycling Manager
Dane County, WI