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5.2.3 Institutional Criteria <br /> Typically, off-site disposal of hazardous waste involves a greater effort, in terms of institutional <br /> requirements, than a cleanup action. Disposal of contaminated sump contents would require manifestation of the <br /> waste and a substantial lead time (4-6 weeks) for permit requirements. Therefore, the cleanup alternative is <br /> rated higher than the demolition alternative for all three areas. Closure of sumps after cleanup operations <br /> involve closure plan requirements and, therefore, reuse of the facilities after a cleanup scores higher than the <br /> abandonment option for all areas. <br /> 5.2.4 Environmental and Public Health Criteria <br /> Reuse of a contaminated facility is possible if it can be cleaned up to levels of contamination that do not <br /> pose a hazard to the environment or human health. Facilities planned to be abandoned in place also need to be <br /> decontaminated to the same extent for environmental and human health protection. This requires documenting <br /> that the alternative minimizes both short and long term effects of any residual contamination and protects the <br /> public and the environment after implementation of the alternative. <br /> Demolition of a contaminated structure and disposal of its debris at a permitted TSD facility affords the <br /> most protection of the environment. This removal action alternative provides a chance for the removal of all <br /> contamination associated with the structure, and any contaminated soil surrounding the structure. However, <br /> demolitions result in the generation of hazardous waste in the form of debris that poses a certain amount of risk <br /> to the environment and public health during transportation to disposal at an off-site TSD facility. Demolition, <br /> therefore, is ranked at a high 3.5, but not a perfect 4.0, in environmental and public health criteria. <br /> The environmental and public health rating for a cleanup action alternative can vary from fair to <br /> excellent, depending on the physical condition of the structure involved and the extent of exposure of its <br /> surfaces to contamination. Following a cleanup operation, a decontaminated concrete structure can be <br /> recontaminated over a period of time due to the migration of contaminants from surrounding contaminated soil <br /> or deep recesses of the cement. For example, relatively high concentrations of PCBs (52 to 370 ppm), Cd (1.3 <br /> ppm), and lead (50 ppm) in the sump contents in Area A suggest permeation of these contaminants into the <br /> concrete matrix. This indicates a potential for the contaminants to leach out back into the sump, after the sump <br /> is cleaned and reused/abandoned. Therefore, a cleanup operation in Area A is rated lower than the demolition <br /> option. Also, the cleanup rating in Area A is lower than the cleanup ratings for Areas C and J, due to the <br /> higher extent of contamination and exposure in Area A. <br /> 19 <br />