The Impact of Waste Incineration on Human Beings and The Environment

Abstract

Abstract:The article discusses issues related to the impact of incineration on human health and the environment. The aim of the work is to make a broad overview of the existing literature in this area. The problem was described in the literature based on a number of waste incineration plants studies in both Europe and all around the world. Subjects analyzed in the literature were risks at workplace, both administrative ones and directly related to the process of thermal treatment of waste. These risks result among others from the atmospheric emissions of many pollutants, including most of all polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans, heavy metals and some volatile organic compounds. The results of these studies will be an important argument in the discussion on the possible risks to humans and the environment posed by waste incineration plants and the expediency of building waste incinerators in Poland.

Review of the current state and main sources of dioxins around the world

“…There are 7 PCDDs and 10 PCDFs with this pattern, with the compound 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-pdioxin (TCDD) the most important congener of all the dioxin-like class, with a toxic equivalency factor (TEF) of 1.0 (Shields et al, 2010), and classified as a group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), although some authors do not support the same classification (Cole at al., 2003;Wielgosinski and Targaszewska, 2014), considering that it has a lower toxicity potential. Even though dioxins are emitted in relatively low concentrations, they are very persistent and bioaccumulative compounds and more prevalent in body fat of animals that later can be ingested by humans.…”

Towards zero waste in pharmacy: Challenges and opportunities in Singapore

“…Given the problem of limited landfill space and potential environmental issues from incineration 11,12 and landfilling, 13 there is a need to start reducing waste. Hence, pharmaceutical waste minimization is an area of interest in pharmacy practice.…”

“…Despite Singapore's incineration plant having a filter system which prevents emission of harmful gases, and careful measures to prevent detrimental environmental effects of landfilling, 9 Singapore faces serious space constraints. 10 Given the problem of limited landfill space and potential environmental issues from incineration 11,12 and landfilling, 13 there is a need to start reducing waste. Hence, pharmaceutical waste minimization is an area of interest in pharmacy practice.…”

Heavy Exposure of Waste Collectors to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in a Poor Rural Area of Middle China

“…Crude methods of incineration are well-known to generate harmful air pollutants that not only contaminate the environment 13 but also pose significant health hazards, most especially to the waste collectors. 14,15 Incineration of solid waste materials such as rubber and plastic generates a variety of complex pollutants. 6,16 Notably, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are generated from the incomplete combustion or pyrolysis of solid waste.…”

“…In recent years, local Chinese government agencies have regulated to stop waste landfill to prevent migration of pollutants from the waste to groundwater and soil. , However, without effective methods to dispose of nonrecyclable components, waste collectors in rural areas have resorted to burning the refuse in their own backyards. Crude methods of incineration are well-known to generate harmful air pollutants that not only contaminate the environment but also pose significant health hazards, most especially to the waste collectors. , …”