4.4.4.3   Long-Term Effectiveness and Permanence -- Alternative 4

The quicklime process destroys up to 5 percent of the PCB. 
Ordinary analytical techniques would not reliably detect such a
small decrease in PCB concentration.  In addition, implementation
of this technology in an unenclosed area would result in a
dispersal of PCBs.  Dilution of the PCB-contaminated waste is
accomplished by the addition and dry mixing of the quicklime
reactant.  Although this dilution might enhance natural
degradation rates, it would increase the volume of contaminated
waste to be remediated.  Therefore, the quicklime process has
negligible long-term effectiveness and permanence.

Quicklime treatment is applicable to soil, sediment, and sludge. 
The moisture content of the waste is not a limiting factor
because the quicklime procedure adds water in order to slake the
lime.  The destruction of PCBs by application of quicklime to
contaminated soil, sediments, and sludge has not been
demonstrated during controlled bench-scale experiments or
analysis of samples from a remediation site where the process was
applied.  Based on laboratory testing, it has been shown that the
apparent success of quicklime treatment is due to the
volatilization of 80 percent of the PCBs (Einhaus and others
1991).   The maximum contaminant concentration that can be
treated by quicklime is unknown.