Current Affiliation

Graduate Student, Solid Waste Research Group
Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida
smusson@ufl.edu                                                                                               Back To >> Students's page

PhD Dissertation

Determination of Selected Pharmaceutical Compounds and their Fate in Modern Lined Landfills.


Abstract :

Many sources now recommend refuse disposal of Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) due to a lack of alternative disposal options and the newly exposed dangers of sewer disposal (MDEQ, 2004).  The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is currently preparing to recommend PPCP disposal in landfills rather than the sewer system (Price, 2005). This will result in greater amounts of pharmaceuticals than previously projected entering landfills.  Ever expanding research concerning pharmaceuticals in the environment is resulting in a call to collect unused medications.  Much like electronic devices in the late 1990's, in the coming years solid waste managers may be asking "What is your pharmaceutical diversion plan?"  This research will provide information necessary in formulating strategies for future pharmaceutical waste management.   This research is based upon the hypothesis that modern, engineered landfills can provide an environmentally friendly disposal method for discarded pharmaceuticals.  The research objectives are: 1)  To determine if landfills are a significant source of pharmaceuticals to the environment.   2)  To evaluate the viability of utilizing engineered, lined landfills for the cost-effective, environmentally-sound disposal of pharmaceuticals: Evaluation of the fate of selected pharmaceuticals under anaerobic and aerobic landfill stabilization.

Master's Dissertation

Characterization of Lead Leachability from Cathode Ray Tubes Using the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure.


Abstract :

Cathode ray tubes (CRTs) in television and computer monitors are one of the most common components of discarded electronics in the solid waste stream. CRTs present a disposal problem because of their growing magnitude in municipal solid waste (MSW) and their role as a major source of lead in MSW. Using the EPA Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP), lead leachability from CRTs was studied. Lead leached from the CRT samples at an average concentration of 18.5 mg/L. This exceeded the regulatory limit of 5.0 mg/L. Several factors affected the lead concentrations of each CRT sample. These included the sample fraction of the CRTs, the particle size used in the tests, and the CRT type. The most significant quantities of lead were obtained from the funnel portion of the CRTs at an average lead concentration of 75.3 mg/L. The major source of lead in the funnel is the frit seal of color CRTs. Samples containing the frit seal had lead leaching levels nearly 50 times those without. Samples comprised of smaller particle sizes exposed a greater surface area resulting in higher lead leaching levels. While 21 of 30 color CRTs exceeded regulatory lead limits, none of the six monochrome CRTs did. Age of the CRTs was not a significant factor for lead leaching. These results provide useful information to the regulatory and waste management community for developing policies for managing discarded CRTs.

Group Publication

Townsend, T., Musson, S., Dubey, B., Pearson, B. “Leachability of Printed Wire Boards Containing Leaded and Lead-Free Solder.” Journal of Environmental Management. Available Online (2007) .

Musson, S., Seaburg, K., Mousa, J., Townsend, T. “A Continuous Collection System for Household Pharmaceutical Wastes – A Pilot Project.” Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association, 57(7), 828-835. (2007)

Vann, K., Musson, S., Townsend, T. “Evaluation of a Modified TCLP Methodology for RCRA Toxicity Characterization of Computer CPUs.” Journal of Hazardous Materials. 1-3:101-109. (2006)

Vann, K., Musson, S., Townsend, T. “Factors Affecting TCLP Lead Leachability From Computer CPUs.” Waste Management. 26:293-298. (2006)

Musson, S., Vann, K., Jang, Y., Mutha, S., Jordan, A., Pearson, B., Townsend, T. "RCRA Toxicity Characterization of Discarded Electronic Devices." Environmental Science and Technology. 40(8):2721-2726. (2006).

Stephen E. Musson, Yong-Chul Jang, Timothy G. Townsend and Il-Hyun Chung. “Characterization of Lead Leachability from Cathode Ray Tubes Using the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure.” Environmental Science & Technology. 34(20):4376-4381. (2000).

Stephen E. Musson and Timothy G. Townsend. “Management of Discarded Pharmaceuticals.” Practice Periodical of Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste Management. 2(3):89-92. (1998)

Group Research Projects

Bioreactor Landfill Research at the Polk County North Central Landfill.

The Polk County Solid Waste Division and The Department of Solid Environmental Engineering Sciences at the University of Florida have partnered to address pressing solid waste management issues facing Polk County and Florida. More On This

Determination of the Selected Pharmaceutical Compounds and their Fate in Modern Lined Landfills.

This research is based upon the hypothesis that modern,engineered landfills can provide an environmentally friendly disposal method for discarded pharmaceuticals. More On This

Evaluation of Quicklime Application as a Method of Treating Contaminated Soils.
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