ELSEVIER Journal of Hazardous Materials 42 (1995) 115-156 Review A review of polymeric geosynthetics used in hazardous waste facilities J. Dale Ortegoa, Tejraj M. Aminabhavibv*, Sujata F. Harlapurb, Ramachandra H. Balundgib a Depariment of Chemistry, Lamar Universi& Beaumont, TX 77710, USA bDepartment of Chemistry, Kamatak University Dharwad 580 003, India Received 1 August 1994; accepted 30 December 1994 Abstract The generation of hazardous wastes from various sources including chemical industries, hospitals, households, etc., is a worldwide problem and is particularly acute in the United States. The petrochemical and refinery industries produce about 70% of this waste. Geographi- cally, the greatest production of hazardous wastes is known to occur along the United State Gulf coast. Presently, it is estimated that about 80% of the total waste remains toxic for years or even centuries. Inappropriate disposal of these wastes on land creates the risk of contaminating ground water and vegetation causing adverse health effects. This review addresses the geotech- nical aspects of the problems related to the management of hazardous waste by the use of polymeric materials as ‘barriers’. Important findings of research efforts on this topic from 1980 through mid-1994 are discussed. The review gives an awareness to the general public and addresses points of interest to field engineers and technologists for the proper handling of wastes by the use of the polymeric geosynthetics acting as membranes or barriers. 1. Introduction Man has disposed of wastes on or into land since the beginning of recorded history and the form of waste varies depending on location and country. The term ‘hazardous waste’ has crept into our vocabulary during the past decade and it denotes waste that presents risk to human life and health. Every year, the United States alone generates about 320 billion pounds of municipal solid waste. About 85% of this is currently *Corresponding author, Visiting Summer Research Professor at Lamar University, Fax: 91-011-836- 4264. 0304-3894/95/.$09.50 0 1995 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved SSDI 0304-3894(95)00008-9