Waste treatment and atmospheric emissions of particles, from characterisation to health impact. State of knowledge

Summary

The aim of this literature review is to provide an update on the health impacts of particles emitted by waste treatment activities, such as incineration (including co-incineration), landfilling and composting. The problem is a vast one, since it takes into account two modes of particle emission (channelled and diffuse), the transport and probable evolution of these particles, and their deposition on the ground. At all levels, the measurement strategies to be implemented, the characterisation methods, the choice of an atmospheric dispersion model and the available literature data are reviewed. From the point of view of health effects and quantification of health risks, the study brings together data from the literature establishing relationships between particles emitted by the activities in question and health effects in workers and local residents. In the end, the authors highlight the lack of data and consensus on the approaches to be adopted, and propose five priority areas for research, including the development of an international standard for airborne particle sampling and counting methods.