Ecological impact of arsenic, chromium and lead from application of recovered screened material on Florida soils

Disposal of construction and demolition (C&D) debris is a major problem. During recycling operations, the debris is passed over screens, generating what is called Recovered Screened Material (RSM). Previous analyses of RSM indicated high arsenic (As) levels. Thus, RSM is disposed in landfills in spite of the fact that natural soils may contain As levels higher than the proposed concentrations for soil clean-up goals. RSM samples were collected and analyzed from seven C&D debris recycling facilities and from other sites. The average arsenic content found in RSM ranged between residential and industrial clean-up goals. Chromium and lead levels in RSM were very low. The RSM quality depends mainly on the waste stream. Recycling procedures do not have any major effect on the RSM. Arsenic levels in natural soils showed a wide variability. Almost half of the soil samples had an arsenic level comparable to that found in RSM.