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Alternative Fuel Implementation in a Cement Plant: Human Health Risks and Economical Valuation

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Abstract

In June 2010, the cement plant of Montcada i Reixac (MR) (Catalonia, Spain) began a gradual implementation of alternative fuel to replace fossil fuel. Between December 2010 and November 2014, we conducted three monitoring surveys to evaluate the state of the environment around the facility. Data were compared with results from three monitoring surveys performed in 2008–2009. In all these studies, samples of soil, vegetation, and air were collected, being the content of a number of trace elements and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in these matrices determined. In general terms, a decrease of metal and PCDD/F concentrations was found. Human health risks followed a similar temporal trend, being acceptable according to national and international standards and independent on the fuel used. The Disability-Adjusted Life Year and the costs of cancer cases were also estimated for the population living around the MR cement plant, accounting for 4 years and 31,000 €/year, respectively.

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Acknowledgments

This study was financially supported by LAFARGE CEMENTOS SAU. J. Rovira received funding from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) under the Torres Quevedo Program (PTQ-13-06059), cofunded by the European Social Fund.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Sant Llorenç 21, 43201, Reus, Catalonia, Spain

    Joaquim Rovira, Martí Nadal, Marta Schuhmacher & José L. Domingo

  2. Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Departament d’Enginyeria Quimica, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Av. Països Catalans 26, 43007, Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain

    Joaquim Rovira & Marta Schuhmacher

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  1. Joaquim Rovira
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  2. Martí Nadal
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  3. Marta Schuhmacher
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  4. José L. Domingo
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Correspondence to Martí Nadal.

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Rovira, J., Nadal, M., Schuhmacher, M. et al. Alternative Fuel Implementation in a Cement Plant: Human Health Risks and Economical Valuation. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 71, 473–484 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-016-0308-2

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