New Technology May be Used for Asbestos Disposal
Ambler Borough, Whitpain and Upper Dublin townships in Pennsylvania are investigating the option of using a new technology to dispose of asbestos that has been polluting their communities for decades.
The new technology involves destroying the asbestos by a process known as thermochemical conversion.
The process is used by ARI Technologies, and though it is expensive, it has a proven track record.
Dale Timmons, President of ARI, spoke before an assembly at Ambler Theater on March 25 about the benefits of this new technology, and how it could be applied to the current asbestos situation in the area.
All told, the asbestos cleanup will cover over 60 acres of contaminated land.
The ARI process involves using heat and chemicals on a rotary hearth to convert asbestos into volcanic minerals. The resulting material could then be used as a construction aggregate. Mr. Timmons said the construction aggregate "would have value", although it is unlikely that the value will exceed the cost of the procedure. The aggregate will need to adhere to strict regulations, and cannot have even a single asbestos fiber present. Asbestos exposure has been linked to mesothelioma cancer.
The process would take place in a special air-tight structure.
The technology has been proven and permitted for asbestos destruction by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. However, it has not been made clear if the EPA would support the use of this technology for the removal of asbestos in this case.
The asbestos treatment costs approximately $135 per ton. Funding would most likely come from the EPA or other federal source.
Mr. Timmons added that between 150 and 300 tons would need to be processed per day on a 24-hour-per day operation. The project is so massive that it would take 10 years to process the estimated 3 million tons of asbestos in the area.
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