For the TCLP test, what is the threshold to determine hazardous waste?

The threshold for determining hazardous waste through the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) test is set at 5 mg/L. This means that if a waste material leaches contaminants at concentrations above this level during the TCLP test, it is classified as hazardous waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).

The TCLP test specifically measures the leachability of certain toxic substances which can pose risks to human health and the environment if they contaminate groundwater or soil. Each contaminant has its own regulatory threshold, but for lead—one of the common contaminants tested—the threshold is indeed 5 mg/L. When levels exceed this benchmark, proper hazardous waste management protocols must be instituted to mitigate the associated risks. Therefore, knowing this threshold is crucial for lead abatement supervisors and professionals involved in waste management and disposal.