Which is not acceptable for emergency response waste disposal?

The acceptable practices for emergency response waste disposal are governed by regulations and best practices designed to protect human health and the environment. One key consideration in emergency waste disposal is the proximity of disposal methods to groundwater sources.

Burial of waste 40 feet from a groundwater well is not acceptable because this distance may not provide sufficient protection against groundwater contamination. In many locations, existing regulations dictate specific buffer zones to safeguard drinking water sources from pollutants. If waste materials leach into the ground, they can potentially contaminate the groundwater, leading to significant public health risks.

In contrast, incineration, landfilling, and recycling depend on compliance with established regulations and proper procedures that minimize environmental impact. Incineration can reduce the volume of waste and sometimes convert it to energy, while landfilling involves secure, well-monitored facilities designed to minimize leachate and gas emissions. Recycling, when feasible, reduces waste and conserves resources, enhancing environmental sustainability.

Therefore, burying waste near a groundwater well poses too great a risk and is not an acceptable method for emergency response waste disposal.