Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Analysis
What is Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) Testing?
Leaching occurs when rainwater is filtered through wastes that are deposited in a landfill. When the rainwater liquid meets the buried wastes, it draws out leachates (chemicals and/or other constituents of those wastes). Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure, also known as TCLP testing, is a chemical analysis process used to determine the presence of hazardous elements in wastes in the environment. When waste is placed in a landfill for several years, it may begin to leach lead, copper and zinc. Therefore, TCLP testing becomes extremely critical when chemical companies and pharmaceutical manufacturers discharge waste into the environment, TCLP verifies whether specific measures are needed when handling certain substances.The test involves simulating the leaching scenario in a landfill and proving whether the waste is a hazard to the environment.
As a leading certified and accredited environmental services provider, BOC Sciences offers reliable analytical services for TCLP testing to ensure environmental safety when depositing potentially hazardous materials. Our laboratory offers TCLP metals and TCLP volatiles testing at extremely competitive rates. Our clients include engineering firms, manufacturing facilities and agricultural companies.
Why is TCLP Testing Needed?
- TCLP testing can accurately identify hazardous elements found in industrial waste
- TCLP testing is a reliable test method when it comes to environmental safety issues
- TCLP accurately reflects the risks that may be posed, and enables the classification of materials for other disposal options to minimize the risks
Purpose of Our Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Analysis
- Determine the contaminants found in the leachate and their concentrations
- Determine the overall toxicity and environmental hazard
- Determine if alternative disposal methods for the waste materials are needed
Figure 1. Preparation of the tested samples for the monolith test. (Hu, R.; et al. 2020)
Our Services
TCLP Metals
At BOC Sciences, we employ the TCLP test to assess the following eight different metals:
| Metal | TCLP Limit |
| Arsenic | 5.0 |
| Barium | 100 |
| Cadmium | 1.0 |
| Chromium | 5.0 |
| Lead | 5.0 |
| Mercury | 0.2 |
| Selenium | 1.0 |
| Silver | Silver |
| Mercury | 5.0 |
TCLP Organic Compounds
Our TCLP method also assesses waste materials for 32 organic compounds, including:
| Volatile Organics | TCLP Regulatory Level, mg/L |
| Benzene | 0.5 |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | 0.5 |
| Chlorobenzene | 100.0 |
| Chloroform | 6.0 |
| 1,4-Dichlorobenzene | 7.5 |
| 1,2-Dichloroethane | 0.5 |
| 1,1-Dichloroethylene | 0.7 |
| Methyl Ethyl Ketone | 200.0 |
| Tetrachloroethylene | 0.7 |
| Trichloroethylene | 0.5 |
| Vinyl Chloride | 0.2 |
| Semivolatile Organics | TCLP Regulatory Level, mg/L |
| o-Cresol | 1 200 |
| m-Cresol | 1 200 |
| p-Cresol | 1 200 |
| Cresol | 1 200 |
| 2,4-Dinitrotoluene | 0.13 |
| Hexachlorobenzene | 0.13 |
| Hexachlorobutadiene | 0.5 |
| Hexachloroethane | 3.0 |
| Nitrobenzene | 2.0 |
| Pentachlorophenol | 100.0 |
| Pyridine | 25.0 |
| 2,4,5-Trichlorophenol | 400.0 |
| 4,6-Trichlorophenol | 2.0 |
| Organochlorine Pesticides | TCLP Regulatory Level, mg/L |
| Chlordane | 0.03 |
| Endrin | 0.02 |
| Heptachlor (and its Epoxide) | 0.008 |
| Lindane | 0.4 |
| Methoxychlor | 10.0 |
| Toxaphene | 0.5 |
| Chlorophenoxy Acid Herbicides | TCLP Regulatory Level, mg/L |
| 2,4-D | 10.0 |
| 2,4,5-TP (Silvex) | 1.0 |
Our Testing Process
- Separation of liquid waste
- Particle size reduction
- Extraction of solid material
Once the leachate is extracted during the leaching process, it is prepared for further analysis.
- Final separation
The solid material is discarded and the liquid component is then evaluated. The initial liquid component may be added or analyzed separately, depending on compatibility.
- TCLP testing analysis
Once the toxicity levels have been determined, the next step is to implement waste management methods. Finally, the waste is properly disposed of to avoid health risks and environmental damage.
Figure 2. The leaching results of toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) test from BOFS, basalt and asphalt mixture. (Hu, R.; et al. 2020)
Available Leaching Procedures
At BOC Sciences, we also offer several leaching procedures to characterize solid and waste disposal. These procedures include:
- Toxicity Characterization Leaching Procedure (TCLP)
- Synthetic Precipitation Leaching Procedure (SPLP)
- Solubility Threshold Limit Concentration (STLC)
Reference
- Hu, R; et al. Study of Toxicity Assessment of Heavy Metals from Steel Slag and Its Asphalt Mixture. Materials. 2020. 13(12): 2768.