1. Aalto University, P.O. BOX 11000, 00076 AALTO
www.aalto.fi
Abstract of master's thesis
Author Helena Louhelainen
Title of thesis Chemical exposure in treatment of liquid hazardous waste
Department Civil and Environmental Engineering
Professorship Environmental Engineering (Waste
Management)
Code of professorship Yhd-73.
Thesis supervisor Juha Kaila, D.Sc. (Tech)
Thesis advisor(s) / Thesis examiner(s) Petri Peltonen, PhD and Ari Kukkurainen, DI
Date 30.12.2012 Number of pages 131 Language Finnish
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the chemical compounds of liquid hazardous wastes which
may cause health issues to workers. The study examined the composition of waste, as well as the
gaseous compounds released into the air from waste treatment in Lahti`s liquid hazardous waste
treatment plant. Board sample preparation was executed according to European standards SFS-
EN 689 and 482. Analyses were made by stick tests, laboratory analysis and by safety data sheets
of chemicals. Volatile compounds were measured by different gas detection equipment sensing
gases and vapours.
At the treatment plant processed waste is mainly oil contaminated fluids, such as ship oils, oil
emulsions and cutting fluids from industry and oily waters of oil separation wells. Additionally at
Lahti`s treatment plant is neutralizing and purifying for acid and alkali based fluids, which has
come, among others, from metal surface finishing and other industry. Metals and volatile organic
compounds (VOC) were examined by laboratory tests from oil contaminated wastes. For pH, cya-
nide, sulphate, nitrate and metals were made stick tests from acid and alkali wastes. From emis-
sions to air were measured VOC, oil mist, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen sulphide, nitrogen dioxide,
ammonia,cyanide, chloride, hydrogen fluoride and metals.
Based on this study the major chemical detrimental effects were volatile compounds which in-
cludes some CMR (Carcinogenic, Mutagenic and Reprotoxic) -chemicals. These substances were
benzene and benzo(a)pyrene, which were in oil contaminated waste waters. There is also one de-
tergent which includes carcinogenic substance. Other hazards were chemicals in the air, that can
cause death at high levels. Those kind of substances were hydrogen sulphide, cyanide, nitrogen
dioxide and chlorine.
For further examination there should be made more measurements for chemical exposure of
CMR-chemicals. It is also recommended, that some technical solutions will be executed to avoid
detriments of air contaminants. Personal working habits plays important role in safe and healthy
work, so continuous training and guidance is desirable.
Keywords liquid hazardous waste, chemical exposure, waste analysis, measurement of air con-
taminants