4.4.4.1   Overall Protection of Human Health and the Environment
-- Alternative 4

Alternative 4 would initially protect human health and the
environment by requiring excavation and removal of the
contaminated material from each site, thereby reducing the
potential for direct contact with, ingestion of, or inhalation of
contaminated materials.  However, the quicklime treatment process
is not protective of human health and the environment.  In fact,
its overall effect is to increase the total risk posed by PCB
contamination.  The quicklime process causes a release of PCBs to
the air unless the entire process takes place in an enclosed
environment (Einhaus and others 1991).  PCBs and its degradation
products could thus be contained but would be deposited on the
walls of the enclosure (Einhaus and others 1991).  In addition,
the process creates significant amounts of more toxic degradation
products, especially PCDF.