Research Interests

My primary research interests have focused on the environmental issues associated with combustion by-products, including ash from the incineration of garbage and trash. In both marine And terrestrial systems, my research group is examining a diverse array of potential contaminant exposure including leaching behavior, particulate exposure pathways and beneficial utilization strategies.

I have been interested in developing and assessing the performance of secondary materials - primarily construction quality materials made from waste derived combustion products. The uses of ash as an aggregate substitute in concrete, asphalt for roadbase and as a structural fill materials are all currently under investigation.

Working with researchers from other institutions, I am currently assessing the behavior of ash/concrete blocks being used by the Government of Bermuda for shore protection applications. In addition, the use of processed and treated MSW combustion ash as an aggregate substitute in the State of Tennessee and the collecting data for use in a life cycle analysis of the long-term human and ecological risks associated with ash reuse are currently in progress.

Selected Publications

Swanson, R. L., F. J. Roethel and H. Bauer. (submitted). Reuse of lead from Dental X-rays. Journal of the American Dental Association.

Plaue, J., J. Xu, D. Yambo and F. J. Roethel (1997). Project Ashphalt: Tomorrow's Use of Ash. In: Proceedings of the Ninth International Conference on Municipal Solid Waste Combustor Ash Utilization. Washington, D.C.

Roffman, H., F. J. Roethel and J. M. Barnes (1997). Health Risk Assessment of Beneficial Uses of Treated MWC Ash. In: Proceedings of the Ninth International Conference on Municipal Solid Waste Combustor Ash Utilization. Washington, D.C.

Roffman, H., F. J. Roethel and J. M. Barnes (1997). Life-Cycle Health Risk Assessment of Beneficial Uses of Treated MWC Ash. In: Proceedings of the Air and Waste Management Association's Annual Meeting. Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Nagourney, S. J., N. J. Tummillo, M. Winka, W. H. Chesner, C. Stein and F. J. Roethel (1996). The TCLP Test for Metals -- Selection of Extraction Fluid for Bottom Ash Testing. In: Proceedings of the Eight International Conference on Municipal Solid Waste Combustor Ash Utilization. Washington, D.C. November 1995.

Roethel, F. J., (1995) Analytical Concerns Associated with the Toxicity Characteristics Leaching Procedure. In: Proceedings of the Seventh International Conference on Municipal Solid Waste Combustor Ash Utilization. Washington, D.C. November 1994.

Breslin, V. T. and F. J. Roethel (1995). Long-term diffusion of elements from MSW combustor ash blocks in the marine environment. Esturine, Coastal and Shelf Sciences (40), pp. 249-263

Roethel, F. J. and V. T. Breslin., (1995). Behaviour of Dioxins, Furans and Metals Associated with Stabilized MSW Combustor Ash in Sea Water. Chemistry and Ecology. (10). pp. 259-272.

Xin, Hung-fu, F. J. Roethel and R. L. Swanson., (1994). Stabilized Incineration Ash in Shore Protection Applications. Acta Oceanologica Sinica. 16, 5. pp. 13-26.