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Tclp criteria

 The **Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP)** is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) test method (Method 1311) used to determine whether a waste is characteristically hazardous under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). It simulates landfill conditions to assess the potential for hazardous constituents to leach into the environment. The TCLP criteria refer to the regulatory limits for specific contaminants in the leachate, which, if exceeded, classify the waste as hazardous (carrying a "D" waste code, D004–D043).


### TCLP Criteria Overview

The TCLP criteria are based on the maximum concentration of contaminants in the leachate, measured in milligrams per liter (mg/L). These limits are defined in **40 CFR 261.24**. If the leachate from a waste sample exceeds these thresholds, the waste is considered hazardous due to its toxicity characteristic.


### Key Contaminants and Their TCLP Limits

Below is a summary of the TCLP regulatory limits for common contaminants:


#### Metals (RCRA 8 Metals)

| Contaminant | TCLP Limit (mg/L) | Waste Code |

|-------------|-------------------|------------|

| Arsenic     | 5.0               | D004       |

| Barium      | 100.0             | D005       |

| Cadmium     | 1.0               | D006       |

| Chromium    | 5.0               | D007       |

| Lead        | 5.0               | D008       |

| Mercury     | 0.2               | D009       |

| Selenium    | 1.0               | D010       |

| Silver      | 5.0               | D011       |


#### Organic Compounds

| Contaminant                     | TCLP Limit (mg/L) | Waste Code |

|---------------------------------|-------------------|------------|

| Benzene                         | 0.5               | D018       |

| Carbon tetrachloride            | 0.5               | D019       |

| Chlordane                       | 0.03              | D020       |

| Chlorobenzene                   | 100.0             | D021       |

| Chloroform                      | 6.0               | D022       |

| Cresol (m-, p-, o-)             | 200.0             | D023–D025  |

| 1,4-Dichlorobenzene             | 7.5               | D027       |

| 1,2-Dichloroethane              | 0.5               | D028       |

| 1,1-Dichloroethylene            | 0.7               | D029       |

| 2,4-Dinitrotoluene              | 0.13              | D030       |

| Endrin                          | 0.02              | D012       |

| Heptachlor                      | 0.008             | D031       |

| Hexachlorobenzene               | 0.13              | D032       |

| Hexachloro-1,3-butadiene        | 0.5               | D033       |

| Hexachloroethane                | 3.0               | D034       |

| Lindane                         | 0.4               | D013       |

| Methoxychlor                    | 10.0              | D014       |

| Methyl ethyl ketone             | 200.0             | D035       |

| Nitrobenzene                    | 2.0               | D036       |

| Pentachlorophenol               | 100.0             | D037       |

| Pyridine                        | 5.0               | D038       |

| Tetrachloroethylene             | 0.7               | D039       |

| Toxaphene                       | 0.5               | D015       |

| Trichloroethylene               | 0.5               | D040       |

| 2,4,5-Trichlorophenol           | 400.0             | D041       |

| 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol           | 2.0               | D042       |

| 2,4,5-TP (Silvex)               | 1.0               | D017       |

| Vinyl chloride                  | 0.2               | D043       |


### TCLP Testing Process

1. **Sample Preparation**:

   - Liquid wastes (<0.5% solids) are filtered to create the TCLP extract.

   - Solid or multiphasic wastes (≥0.5% solids) are reduced to a particle size of <9.5 mm.

2. **Extraction**:

   - Solid material is tumbled for 18 hours with an acetic acid solution (pH-adjusted) at a 20:1 liquid-to-solid ratio to simulate landfill leaching.

3. **Analysis**:

   - The leachate is filtered and analyzed for the 40 regulated contaminants using EPA-approved methods (e.g., Method 6010B for metals).

   - Results are compared to the TCLP regulatory limits.


### Key Considerations

- **Rule of 20**: A total constituent analysis (measuring total contaminant concentration in mg/kg) can be used as a screening tool. If the total concentration divided by 20 is below the TCLP limit, the waste is unlikely to be hazardous, potentially eliminating the need for TCLP testing.[](https://www.ppmco.com/understanding-hazardous-waste-determination-and-the-tclp-rule-of-20/)

- **Method-Defined Parameter (MDP)**: TCLP (Method 1311) must be followed exactly as written, including holding times and tumbling duration, to ensure valid results. Deviations invalidate results unless the waste exceeds limits, confirming it as hazardous.[](https://www.ehso.com/TCLPfaqs.htm)

- **Applications**: TCLP is used to classify waste for disposal, determine landfill acceptability, and ensure compliance with RCRA regulations. It’s critical for industries like manufacturing, construction, and waste management.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxicity_characteristic_leaching_procedure)


### Practical Implications

- **Non-Hazardous Waste**: If TCLP results are below the regulatory limits, the waste can be disposed of in a municipal landfill (Subtitle D), often at a lower cost (~$20–$50/ton).

- **Hazardous Waste**: If limits are exceeded, the waste must be sent to a hazardous waste facility (Subtitle C), with disposal costs ranging from $500–$1,200/ton.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxicity_characteristic_leaching_procedure)[](https://www.phoslab.com/environmental-services/tclp-testing/)

- **State-Specific Rules**: Some states, like California, have additional requirements (e.g., STLC/WET with stricter limits and different extraction methods).[](https://enthalpy.com/blog/tclp-stlc-ttlc-what-does-it-all-mean/)


If you need specific details (e.g., for a particular contaminant, state regulations, or testing protocols), please clarify, and I can provide a more tailored response!

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