John L. (Jack) Price

Peer Reviewed Publications

"Gaseous methyl- and inorganic mercury in landfill gas from landfills in Florida, Minnesota, Delaware, and California" with S. E. Lindberg, G. Southworth, et.al. Atmospheric Environment 39(2005):249-258, 2005.
Analysis of samples of landfill gas at landfills in 4 different U.S. states quantified the existence of methylated mercury species, in addition to elemental mercury, at levels significantly exceeding background air.
"Airborne Emissions of Mercury from Municipal Solid Waste: New Measurements from Three Landfills in Florida," with S. Lindberg, G. Southworth, et.al., in preparation.
Quantification of mercury emissions from working face and landfill gas pathways at three municipal solid waste landfills and one transfer station in Florida found emissions as high as 200-400 mg/h from landfills and as high as 100 mg/h from the transfer station. Speciation of mercury emissions in landfill gas from six landfills found concentrations of methylated mercury species far above those in background air. The first known quantification of mercury emissions from municipal solid waste collection containers (dumpsters) in the field found fluxes of ~30 mg/h from 1,000 dumpsters. Attempts to identify the sources of mercury emissions from solid waste in dumpsters and from solid waste excavated from the landfill working face indicated few readily indentifiable sources. Measurements of broken fluorescent lamps and thermometers found initial emissions at rates of 10s-100s ug/h with exponential decreases but levels remaining above background air for several days.
"Methylated mercury species in municipal waste landfill gas sampled in Florida, USA," with S. E. Lindberg, D. Wallschlager, et.al. Atmospheric Environment 35(23):4011-4015, August 2001.
Analysis of samples of landfill gas from 3 Florida landfills confirmed the existence of methylated mercury species, in addition to elemental mercury, at levels significantly exceeding background air.
"Policy Options for Hazardous-Building-Component Removal Before Demolition," with S. Sheridan, T. Townsend, J. Connell. Practice Periodical of Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste Management, 4(3):111-117, July 2000.
A small fraction of construction and demolition waste contains materials that are hazardous to human health and the environment. Examples include mercury-containing fluorescent lamps, polychlorinated biphenol-containing lighting ballasts, rechargeable batteries in exit signs and lead roof plumbing flashings. This study examined the policy alternatives ensuring removal of these hazardous building components from structures prior to demolition. A system where the property owner and the demolition contractor have some degree of accountability is recommended. Such systems currently underway in Florida and Minnesota are discussed.
"Airborne Emissions of Mercury from Municipal Landfill Operations," with S.E. Lindberg, Journal of Air and Waste Management Association 49:520-532, May 1999.
Methodology and results from the first known quantification of mercury emissions from all primary pathways at two municipal solid waste landfills in Florida. Emissions from the landfill working face pathway ranged from 5 to 60 mg/hr and dominated emissions from the other pathways (landfill gas and surface covers of different ages). A scaling exercise estimated mercury releases from all landfill operations in Florida to be on the order of 10 kg/yr or <1% or estimated total anthropogenic mercury releases to air in this region.

Other Publications

"Mercury Containing Lamps and Devices," with R. P. Jackman. Chapter in The McGraw-Hill Recycling Handbook, 2 ed., Herbert F. Lund, ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2001.
Chapter in major solid waste management practical handbook. Describes product composition, recycling processes and regulatory status of mercury-containing lamps (fluorescent lamps) and devices (thermostats).
"Cleansweep in Florida: Lessons in Safety and the Universal Waste Rule," Proceedings of the National Pesticide Stewardship Alliance Conference, November 2001, Memphis, TN.
Safety and regulatory issues regarding Florida's collection program for cancelled, suspended and ususable pesticides.
"A Florida Case Study: Alkaline and Carbon-Zinc Batteries Are Not Hazardous Waste . . . But . . .," Proceedings of the Eighth International Battery Waste Management Seminar, October 28, 1996, Deerfield Beach, FL.
Describes the regulatory status of alkaline and carbon-zinc batteries in Florida and how two solid waste jurisdictions utilized that guidance to formulate different battery waste management policies.
"Tired of Dumping, Broward County Cleans Up," American City and County, April 1994.
Describes the variety of programs used in Broward County, Florida, to remove illegally dumped waste tires from public and private property. Partnerships with county code enforcement, police and not-for-profit organizations like the Boy Scouts are described.
"Managing Mercury Batteries Through Source Substitution," Municipal Solid Waste Management, Jan/Feb 1992.
Describes the removal of more than 1 ton of mercury per year from the municipal solid waste stream of Broward County, Florida, by replacing mercuric-oxide batteries with zinc-air batteries in commonly used medical monitoring equipment. This removal contributed to a 75% reduction in mercury emissions from the county's two waste-to energy facilities during their first year of operation.
Last modified January 7, 2005