Radiation treatment of high-strength chlorinated hydrocarbon wastes

The possible use of gamma radiation for the treatment of waste effluents containing chlorinated hydrocarbons, particularly pesticides, has been investigated. Significant destruction was obtained of representative compounds such as pentachlorophenol, 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid, and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. Radiation treatment had little effect on polychlorinated biphenyls or mixtures of compounds, including actual manufacturing effluents. It was found that the addition of a material of high atomic weight, such as barium, increased the efficiency of radiation utilization. No other materials were found which increased the desired destruction. G-values were calculated for pentachlorophenol, 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid, and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. It is concluded from the magnitude of these values that radiation treatment of chlorinated hydrocarbons is not economically feasible at the present level of radiation costs