Guo, J;
Bo, X;
Xie, Y;
Tang, L;
Xu, J;
Zhang, Z;
Wan, R;
... Mi, Z; + view all
(2023)
Health effects of future dioxins emission mitigation from Chinese municipal solid waste incinerators.
Journal of Environmental Management
, 345
, Article 118805. 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118805.
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Abstract
Dioxins (including 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, as Group 1 Carcinogen) in the atmosphere mainly originate from incomplete combustion during municipal solid waste (MSW) incineration. To significantly reduce dioxins emission from the MSW incineration industry, China has promulgated a set of ambitious plans regulating MSW-related pollution; however, the emission reduction potentials and concomitant environmental and health impacts associated with the implementation of these programs on a national scale remain unknown. Here, we use real measurements from official environmental impact assessment systems and continuous emissions monitoring systems (covering 96.6% of national MSW incinerators) to estimate unit-level dioxins emission and concomitant environmental and health impacts. We find that in 2018, 99.3% and 66.7% of Chinese incinerators met such concentration and temperature standards, respectively, controlling the total emissions to 19.6 g toxic equivalency quantity and maintaining carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic risks significantly below safety levels nationwide. Fully achieving both current standards and future regulations will reduce emissions and health risks by 67.7% and 62.6%, respectively, with waste sorting program contributing the majority. This study reveals substantial benefits from curbing MSW-related dioxins pollution and underscores the promise of ongoing management.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Health effects of future dioxins emission mitigation from Chinese municipal solid waste incinerators |
| Location: | England |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118805 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118805 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions. |
| Keywords: | Air quality model, Dioxins emission, Health risk assessment, Waste incineration, Waste sorting, Dioxins, Incineration, Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins, Solid Waste, Environmental Pollutants, China |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of the Built Environment |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10179481 |
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