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143695 - the health impacts of waste to energy emissions.pdf (735.2 kB)

The health impacts of waste-to-energy emissions: A systematic review of the literature

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posted on 2023-05-20, 22:23 authored by Cole-Hunter, T, Fay JohnstonFay Johnston, Marks, GB, Morawska, L, Morgan, GG, Overs, M, Porta-Cubas, A, Cowie, CT

Waste-to-energy (WtE) processes, or the combustion of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) for energy generation, has the potential to reduce landfill volume while providing a renewable energy source. We aimed to systematically review and summarise current evidence on the potential health effects (benefits and risks) of exposure to WtE/RDF-related combustion emissions.

We searched PubMed and Google Scholar using terms related to health and WtE/RDF combustion emissions, following PRISMA guidelines. Two authors independently screened titles, abstracts and then full-texts of original, peer-reviewed research articles published until 20th March 2020, plus their relevant references. Overall quality of included epidemiological studies were rated using an amended Navigation framework.

We found 19 articles from 269 search results that met our inclusion criteria, including two epidemiological studies, five environmental monitoring studies, seven health impact or risk assessments (HIA/HRA), and five life-cycle assessments. We found a dearth of health studies related to the impacts of exposure to WtE emissions. The limited evidence suggests that well-designed and operated WtE facilities using sorted feedstock (RDF) are critical to reduce potential adverse health (cancer and non-cancer) impacts, due to lower hazardous combustion-related emissions, compared to landfill or unsorted incineration. Poorly fed WtE facilities may emit concentrated toxins with serious potential health risks, such as dioxins/furans and heavy metals; these toxins may remain problematic in bottom ash as a combustion by-product. Most modelling studies estimate that electricity (per unit) generated from WtE generally emits less health-relevant air pollutants (also less greenhouse gases) than from combustion of fossil fuels (e.g. coal). Some modelled estimates vary due to model sensitivity for type of waste processed, model inputs used, and facility operational conditions.

We conclude that rigorous assessment (e.g. HRA including sensitivity analyses) of WtE facility/technological characteristics and refuse type used is necessary when planning/proposing facilities to protect human health as the technology is adopted worldwide.

History

Publication title

Environmental Research Letters

Volume

15

Issue

12

Pagination

1-18

ISSN

1748-9318

Department/School

Menzies Institute for Medical Research

Publisher

Institute of Physics Publishing Ltd.

Place of publication

United Kingdom

Rights statement

© 2020 The Author(s). Published by IOP Publishing. Original content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Unported (CC BY 3.0) license. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/) Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.

Repository Status

  • Open

Socio-economic Objectives

Evaluation of health outcomes