Heavy metals in waste
In the context of the European Community Waste Management Policy the Commission is awarding a contract for the study of heavy metals in waste. The contract will consist of the following: - a review of existing literature on the harmful effects on the environment produced by the heavy metals studied, in both the short and long term; - a detailed research which makes it possible to identify and quantify the principal ways in which the environment is contaminated by heavy metals contained in waste. The study will have to concentrate on the impact on human health and in particular on the environment (water, air, soil, fauna, flora, etc). This research will identify the principal waste flows responsible for this contamination resulting from the products of consumption and urban water treatment (sewage sludge), and the production processes which generate waste likely to emit heavy metals into the environment. Direct emissions of heavy metals from installations, into the air or water, will not be covered by this study; - a description of the principal mechanisms by which heavy metals are diffused into the environment for each identified waste flow; - a detailed analysis of the different waste management options covering the impact of landfill, waste incineration and waste recycling (particularly, of metals) on the contamination of the environment by heavy metals. Problems caused by the presence of heavy metals to the management of waste shall be analysed; - a detailed research for each heavy metal studied and for their principal uses, with the aim of identifying the principal existing substitutes, as well as trends in the field of research into the development of new substitutes. Close attention will have to be paid to the deadlines anticipated for the creation of new substitutes, evaluation of their properties and their marketing; - an economic analysis of the substitution of each heavy metal studied. For further information please contact (quoting ref. ENV.E.3/ETU/2000/0058): European Commission rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 200 B-1049 Brussels Mrs G. Kent DG ENV.3 Fax +32-2-2994449