Environmental impact and human health risks of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in the vicinity of a new hazardous waste incinerator: a case study.
The purpose of this study was to assess the environmental impact of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in the vicinity of a new hazardous waste incinerator (HWI) 4 years after regular operation of the facility. A double approach was carried out. The PCDD/F congener profiles corresponding to environmental samples, soil and herbage, collected before the HWI (baseline) and 4 years after starting regular operations, as well as PCDD/F profiles of air emission samples, were compared. The potential health risks (carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic) due to PCDD/F exposure were assessed for adults and children living in the neighborhood of the facility. Human exposure to PCDD/Fs was mainly due to dietary food intake. Comparisons between the PCDD/F congener profiles corresponding to the baseline and current surveys, as well as data concerning the human health risk assessment, indicate that the HWI in question does not cause additional risks to the environment orto the population living in the vicinity of the facility.
Ferré-Huguet
Núria
N
Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, Rovira i Virgili University, San Lorenzo 21, 43201 Reus, Spain.
Nadal
Martí
M
Schuhmacher
Marta
M
Domingo
José L
JL
D001572:Benzofurans / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D004147:Dioxins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D006256:Hazardous Waste / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D017745:Incineration; D012037:Refuse Disposal; D018570:Risk Assessment
D001572:Benzofurans; D004147:Dioxins; D006256:Hazardous Waste; C023614:dibenzofuran; C020887:dibenzo(1,4)dioxin