Beyond the harm resulting from the use of their end products, illegal drug labs can be a source of environmental impacts to the surrounding environs in which they operate. At a particular illegal drug lab site in Los Osos, California, a groundwater contaminant plume with Freon 11 and Freon 113 resulted from the careless disposal of drug production waste in pits near the facility. In August of 2002, some of the monitoring wells detected concentrations of Freon 11 and Freon 113 at levels of 6,900 ppb and 6,000 ppb respectively. The maximum contaminant levels (MCL's) for these contaminants are 150 ppb (Freon 11) and 1200 ppb (Freon 113). Phase one of the remedial approach (performed in May 2002) was source removal via mechanical excavation of 100 cubic yards of a contaminated silty sand layer in the source area to below the water table. Phase two incorporated the use of Hydrogen Release Compound (HRC^®) to enhance the rates of bioremediation in groundwater. HRC was applied into the bottom of the excavations as well as in a barrier trench (to contain the plume - figure 1) that was approximately 200 feet long, 6 feet deep and 2.5 feet wide. HRC was placed into the excavations and the trench below the water table, then backfilled with excavation-derived soil. Over a 10 month period, Freon 11 was reduced by 93% and Freon 113 was reduced by 92%.

However, after about a year, contaminant concentrations began to rebound as the enhanced bioremediation effects of HRC had been exhausted and suspected residual contamination from outside the excavation and trenching areas showed up in the monitoring results. In an effort to address the rebounding concentrations a second application of HRC was initiated in December of 2003. This time HRC was targeted in a grid pattern over the suspected source area and injected through a series of 32 direct-injection points into the contaminated soil and groundwater. This application method assures greater distribution of HRC and more potential contact with the contaminated area. Within four months after the HRC injection, contaminant concentrations were significantly reduced to below the MCL's. Monitoring at the site is on-going.

HRC is a food-grade, viscous, honey like substance that is rich in controlled release, lactic acid. This lactic acid and its patented controlled release component are critical for stimulating the most efficient, anaerobic microbial degradation processes. HRC typically last from 12-18 months on a single application and is available in an extended release formulation that can last for periods exceeding 48 months. HRC can be applied to treat a range of chlorinated contaminants as well as in this case, fluorocarbons. It has been applied at over 450 sites worldwide and at a range of sites including dry cleaners, manufacturing facilities, department of defense, department of energy, airports, etc.

Phone: (949) 366-8000
Fax: (949) 366-8090
E-mail: info@regenesis.com
Web: www.regenesis.com
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