Which method is commonly used for the remediation of hazardous waste sites?

Excavation and removal is a widely utilized method for the remediation of hazardous waste sites because it directly addresses the contamination at its source. This technique involves digging up the contaminated soil and waste material and transporting it to a designated facility for safe disposal or treatment. The primary advantage of this method is its effectiveness in significantly reducing the volume of hazardous materials on-site, thereby minimizing the risk to human health and the environment.

This approach is often chosen when the contaminants are found in the soil or near the surface and is especially useful for sites that are too contaminated to treat in place. Additionally, excavation can be coupled with other remediation techniques to further manage the remaining contaminants effectively.

In contrast, incineration is focused on thermal destruction of hazardous waste but may not address the physical removal of contaminants from the site. Filtration is more related to air or liquid processing rather than soil remediation. Neutralization involves chemical methods to reduce the toxicity of hazardous wastes but may not be applicable for all types of contaminants or in all situations, particularly those requiring physical removal to protect surrounding ecosystems or communities.