Municipal waste incinerators: air and biological monitoring of workers for exposure to particles, metals, and organic compounds

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate occupational exposure to toxic pollutants at municipal waste incinerators (MWIs). Methods: Twenty nine male subjects working near the furnaces in two MWIs, and 17 subjects not occupationally exposed to combustion generated pollutants were studied. Individual air samples were taken throughout the shift; urine samples were collected before and after. Stationary air samples were taken near potential sources of emission. Results: Occupational exposure did not result in the infringement of any occupational threshold limit value. Atmospheric exposure levels to particles and metals were 10-100 times higher in MWIs than at the control site. The main sources were cleaning operations for particles, and residue transfer and disposal operations for metals. MWI workers were not exposed to higher levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons than workers who are routinely in contact with vehicle exhaust. The air concentrations of volatile organic compounds and aldehydes were low and did not appear to pose any significant threat to human health. Only the measurement of chlorinated hydrocarbon levels would seem to be a reliable marker for the combustion of plastics. Urine metal levels were significantly higher at plant 1 than at plant 2 because of high levels of pollutants emanating from one old furnace.

Morbidity among municipal waste incinerator workers: a cross-sectional study

“…Our data indicated that occupational exposure in the municipal incinerators is associated with an excess of respiratory symptoms and with a mild but noticeable decrease in pulmonary function. The findings related to the slight but significant decrease in several parameters of respiratory function are consistent with the elevated dust level reported elsewhere (Maitre et al 2003). Bresnitz et al (1992) found a slight decrease in pulmonary function among the most exposed workers, suggestive of small airway obstruction.…”

“…Table 2 Respiratory function for the exposed and non-exposed incinerator workers Function Non-exposed workers *Significant difference from the non-exposed group (P<0.05), **Significant difference from the non-exposed group (P<0.01), ***Significant difference from the non-exposed group (P<0.01) a Mean ± SD Authors have suggested that the observed symptoms were related to high dust levels, micro-organisms and endotoxins (Ivens et al 1997;Nielsen et al 1997). Workers in incinerators can be exposed to these pollutants, but other airborne contaminants can be found in their work environment, due to the combustion process (heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and so on, combustion products such as polynuclear aromatics or dioxins) (Maitre et al 2003;Wrbitzky et al1995;Angerer et al 1992;Schecter et al 1995;Gonzales et al 2000).…”

“…A previous study (Maitre et al 2003) was done in centres 1 and 3 to determine the level of exposure to pollutants in the workplace. All workers at the incinerators and 92% of selected non-exposed workers agreed to participate in the study, which is a good participation rate.…”

“…After the air pollution at the different work places had been evaluated (Maitre et al 2003), the health complaints and clinical signs of a group of incinerator workers were compared with those of a set of workers considered as non-exposed to incineration pollutants.…”

Subacute inhalation toxicity assessment of fly ash from industrial waste incinerators

“…Generally, fly ash contributes to air pollution due to the presence of a larger number of potentially toxic metals and carcinogenic compounds and endocrine disruptors, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and dioxins (Maître et al, 2003;Chen et al, 2008;Cobo et al, 2009;Fujimori et al, 2009).…”