title: Levels of chemical and microbiological pollutants in the vicinity of a waste incineration plant and human health risks: temporal trends.
abstract: In 2007, a program was initiated to monitor air levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and bioaerosols in the vicinity of a municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) (Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain). To investigate the temporal trends of chemical and microbiological pollutants, four 6-monthly campaigns were performed. Air samples were collected at different distances and directions from the facility, as well as in reference sites. In general terms, the concentrations of microbiological agents were very similar to those found in urban zones worldwide. The seasonal evaluation of the results showed higher levels of gram-negative bacteria in winter, contrasting with the increase of the airborne amount of total bacteria in summer. On the other hand, the concentrations of VOCs (mean range: 7.6-18.2 μg m(-3)) were typical of suburban zones. The current exposure to those compounds should not mean additional health risks for the population living nearby.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Sant Llorenç 21, 43201 Reus, Catalonia, Spain.
authors.forename: Lolita
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vilavert
authors.forename: Martí
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nadal
authors.forename: María J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Figueras
authors.forename: Vikas
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: José L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Domingo
mesh_terms: D000336:Aerosols / Q000032:analysis; D000391:Air Microbiology; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001554:Benzene / Q000032:analysis; D001555:Benzene Derivatives / Q000032:analysis; D002947:Cities; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D005658:Fungi / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D017745:Incineration; D011156:Population Density; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012621:Seasons; D013030:Spain; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D000393:Air Pollutants; D001555:Benzene Derivatives; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds; D001554:Benzene