Skip to main content

Two Decades of Environmental Surveillance in the Vicinity of a Waste Incinerator: Human Health Risks Associated with Metals and PCDD/Fs

Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology volume 69, pages 241–253 (2015)Cite this article

Abstract

The concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), as well as the levels of a number of heavy metals, have been periodically measured in samples of soil and vegetation collected around a municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) in Tarragona (Catalonia, Spain) for approximately 20 years. Since 2007, the levels of the above-mentioned pollutants have also been determined in air samples by means of either active or passive samplers. In the present study, data regarding the environmental impact of the MSWI, in terms of PCDD/Fs and heavy metals, are updated. The temporal trends of these pollutants were evaluated by comparison with data from previous surveys. In the current survey (2013–2014), mean concentrations of PCDD/Fs in soil, vegetation, and air were 0.63 ng I-TEQ/g, 0.07 ng I-TEQ/g, and 10.1 fg WHO-TEQ/m3, respectively. Decreases of 47 and 35 % of PCDD/Fs in soil and vegetation, respectively, were observed in relation to the background study (1999). Regarding air samples, a slight temporal decrease of the PCDD/F levels was also found with the remaining concentrations staying nearly constant through time. With respect to metals, notable fluctuations in the concentrations were noted, being dependent on each specific environmental monitor. Overall, the current exposure to PCDD/Fs and metals does not mean any additional health risks for the population living near the facility. In conclusion, the results of the present study show that the environmental impact of the Tarragona MSWI is not significant, in terms of PCDD/Fs and heavy metals, after >20 years of continuous operation.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

43,34 €

Price includes VAT (Finland)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

References

  • Åberg A, Tysklind M, Nilsson T, MacLeod M, Hanberg A, Andersson R et al (2010) Exposure assessment at a PCDD/F contaminated site in Sweden—field measurements of exposure media and blood serum analysis. Environ Sci Pollut Res 17:26–39

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Augusto S, Catarino F, Branquinho C (2007) Interpreting the dioxin and furan profiles in the lichen Ramalina canariensis Steiner for monitoring air pollution. Sci Total Environ 377:114–123

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bogdal C, Müller CE, Buser AM, Wang Z, Scheringer M, Gerecke AC et al (2014) Emissions of polychlorinated biphenyls, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, and polychlorinated dibenzofurans during 2010 and 2011 in Zurich, Switzerland. Environ Sci Technol 48:482–490

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chao HR, Lin DY, Chen KY, Gou YY, Chiou TH, Lee WJ et al (2014) Atmospheric concentrations of persistent organic pollutants over the Pacific Ocean near southern Taiwan and the northern Philippines. Sci Total Environ 491–492:51–59

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen CC, Wu KY, Chang-Chien GP (2011) Point source identification using a simple permutation test: a case study of elevated PCDD/F levels in ambient air and soil and their relation to the distance to a local municipal solid waste incinerator. Stoch Environ Res Risk Assess 25:929–937

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen T, Guo Y, Li X, Lu S, Yan J (2014a) Emissions behavior and distribution of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs) from cement kilns in China. Environ Sci Pollut Res 21:4245–4253  

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen T, Zhan MX, Lin XQ, Fu JY, Lu SY, Li XD (2014b) Distribution of PCDD/Fs in the fly ash and atmospheric air of two typical hazardous waste incinerators in eastern China. Environ Sci Pollut Res 22:1207–1214

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Colombo A, Benfenati E, Bugatti SG, Lodi M, Mariani A, Musmeci L et al (2013) PCDD/Fs and PCBs in ambient air in a highly industrialized city in Northern Italy. Chemosphere 90:2352–2357

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Colombo A, Bettinetti R, Strona G, Cambria F, Fanelli R, Zubair Z et al (2014) Maldives: an archipelago that burns. A first survey of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs from human activities. Sci Total Environ 497:499–507

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deng YY, Jia LJ, Li K, Rong ZY, Yin HW (2011) Levels of PCDD/Fs in agricultural soils near two municipal waste incinerators in Shanghai, China. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 86:65–70

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Domingo JL, Granero S, Schuhmacher M (2001a) Congener profiles of PCDD/Fs in soil and vegetation samples collected near to a municipal waste incinerator. Chemosphere 43:517–524

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Domingo JL, Schuhmacher M, Llobet JM, Müller L, Rivera J (2001b) PCDD/F concentrations in soil and vegetation in the vicinity of a municipal waste incinerator after a pronounced decrease in the emissions of PCDD/Fs from the facility. Chemosphere 43:217–226

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Domingo JL, Agramunt MC, Nadal M, Schuhmacher M, Corbella J (2002) Health risk assessment of PCDD/PCDF exposure for the population living in the vicinity of a municipal waste incinerator. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 43:461–465

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • European Commission (2015) Environment. Waste. http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/index.htm.

  • Fang L, Zheng M, Xiao K, Yang Y (2008) Tissue-dependent distribution and bioaccumulation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in vegetation samples collected from Dongting Lake, China. Environ Toxicol Chem 27:49–56

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferré-Huguet N, Nadal M, Mari M, Schuhmacher M, Borrajo MA, Domingo JL (2007) Monitoring metals near a hazardous waste incinerator. Temporal trend in soils and herbage. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 79:130–134

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • German VDI (2003) Emission measurement. Determination of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs). Dilution method. Example of application of DIN EN 1948 for the concentration range <0.1 ng I-TEQ/m3 and supplement to DIN EN 1948 for the concentration range >0.1 ng I-TEQ/m3. Determination in filter dust, ash and slag. Düsseldorf, Germany

  • Gunes G, Saral A, Celikten H, Kuzu SL, Demir S, Uygur N (2014) Investigation of temporal and spatial variations in atmospheric concentrations of PCDDs and PCDFs in Istanbul. Sci Total Environ 488–489:469–474

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hu J, Zheng M, Liu W, Nie Z, Li C, Liu G et al (2014) Characterization of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans, dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls, and polychlorinated naphthalenes in the environment surrounding secondary copper and aluminum metallurgical facilities in China. Environ Pollut 193:6–12

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim SK, Yoon J (2014) Chronological trends of emission, environmental level and human exposure of POPs over the last 10 years (1999–2010) in Korea: implication to science and policy. Sci Total Environ 470–471:1346–1361

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li X, Yan M, Yang J, Chen T, Lu S, Yan J (2012) PCDD/Fs in soil around a hospital waste incinerator: comparison after three years of operation. J Environ Sci 24:699–703

    Google Scholar 

  • Li W, Li C, Chen Z, Ding N, Cai Z (2014) Levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in mountainous and park soils in Beijing, China. Int J Environ Anal Chem 94:691–711

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu W, Li H, Tian Z, Xie H, Li C (2013) Spatial distribution of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans in soil around a municipal solid waste incinerator. Environ Geochem Health 35:605–611

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Llobet JM, Schuhmacher M, Domingo JL (2002) Spatial distribution and temporal variation of metals in the vicinity of a municipal solid waste incinerator after a modernization of the flue gas cleaning systems of the facility. Sci Total Environ 284:205–214

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lorber M, Ferrario J, Byrne C (2013) EPA’s national dioxin air monitoring network (NDAMN): design, implementation, and final results. Atmos Environ 77:311–317

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Margallo M, Aldaco R, Irabien A (2014) Environmental management of bottom ash from municipal solid waste incineration based on a life cycle assessment approach. Clean Technol Environ 16:1319–1328

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mari M, Ferré-Huguet N, Nadal M, Schuhmacher M, Domingo JL (2007) Temporal trends in metal concentrations in soils and herbage collected near a municipal waste incinerator: human health risks. Hum Ecol Risk Assess 13:457–472

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mari M, Nadal M, Schuhmacher M, Domingo JL (2008) Monitoring PCDD/Fs, PCBs and metals in the ambient air of an industrial area of Catalonia, Spain. Chemosphere 73:990–998

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morales L, Dachs J, González-Gaya B, Hernán G, Ábalos M, Abad E (2014) Background concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans, and biphenyls in the global oceanic atmosphere. Environ Sci Technol 48:10198–10207

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mosca S, Torelli GN, Tramontana G, Guerriero E, Rotatori M, Bianchini M (2012) Concentration of organic micropollutants in the atmosphere of Trieste, Italy. Environ Sci Pollut Res 19:1927–1935

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nadal M, Bocio A, Schuhmacher M, Domingo JL (2005) Trends in the levels of metals in soils and vegetation samples collected near a hazardous waste incinerator. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 49:290–298

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nadal M, Mari M, Schuhmacher M, Domingo JL (2009) Multi-compartmental environmental surveillance of a petrochemical area: levels of micropollutants. Environ Int 35:227–235

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nadal M, Schuhmacher M, Domingo JL (2011) Long-term environmental monitoring of persistent organic pollutants and metals in a chemical/petrochemical area: human health risks. Environ Pollut 159:1769–1777

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Park H, Park E, Chang YS (2014) Ten-year time trend of dioxins in human serum obtained from metropolitan populations in Seoul, Korea. Sci Total Environ 470–471:1338–1345

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peng TH, Lin CL, Wey MY (2015) Study of the low-temperature two-stage fluidized bed incineration: influence of the second-stage sand bed operating conditions on pollutant emission. Appl Therm Eng 75:592–599

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Quaß U, Fermann MW, Bröker G (2000) Steps towards a European dioxin emission inventory. Chemosphere 40:1125–1129

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rovira J, Mari M, Nadal M, Schuhmacher M, Domingo JL (2010) Environmental monitoring of metals, PCDD/Fs and PCBs as a complementary tool of biological surveillance to assess human health risks. Chemosphere 80:1183–1189

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rovira J, Mari M, Schuhmacher M, Nadal M, Domingo JL (2011) Monitoring environmental pollutants in the vicinity of a cement plant: a temporal study. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 60:372–384

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rovira J, Flores J, Schuhmacher M, Nadal M, Domingo JL (2014a) Long-term environmental surveillance and health risks of metals and PCDD/Fs around a cement plant in Catalonia, Spain. Hum Ecol Risk Assess 408:5372–5380

    Google Scholar 

  • Rovira J, Nadal M, Schuhmacher M, Domingo JL (2014b) Environmental levels of PCDD/Fs and metals around a cement plant in Catalonia, Spain, before and after alternative fuel implementation. Assessment of human health risks. Sci Total Environ 485–486:121–129

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schuhmacher M, Domingo JL, Llobet JM, Müller L, Jager J (1997) Levels of PCDDs and PCDFs in grasses and weeds collected near a municipal solid waste incinerator. Sci Total Environ 201:53–62

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schuhmacher M, Granero S, Belles M, Llobet JM, Domingo JL (1996) Levels of metals in soils and vegetation in the vicinity of a municipal solid waste incinerator. Toxicol Environ Chem 56:119–132

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schuhmacher M, Meneses M, Granero S, Llobet JM, Domingo JL (1998) Trace metals in vegetation grown near to an old municipal solid waste incinerator from Catalonia, Spain. Fresen Environ Bull 7:042–050

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shelepchikov AA, Brodskii ES, Feshin DB, Zhil’nikov VG, Mir-Kadyrova EY, Balashova SP (2011) Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans, and biphenyls in soils of Moscow. Eurasian Soil Sci 44:286–296

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Takeda N, Takaoka M (2013) An assessment of dioxin contamination from the intermittent operation of a municipal waste incinerator in Japan and associated remediation. Environ Sci Pollut Res 20:2070–2080

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thacker N, Sheikh J, Tamane SM, Bhanarkar A, Majumdar D, Singh K et al (2013) Emissions of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) to air from waste incinerators and high thermal processes in India. Environ Monit Assess 185:425–429

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turgut C, Atatanir L, Mazmanci B, Mazmanci MA, Henkelmann B, Schramm KW (2012) The occurrence and environmental effect of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in Taurus Mountains soils. Environ Sci Pollut Res 19:325–334

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • United States Environmental Protection Agency (1989) Risk assessment guidance for Superfund. Volume I. Human health evaluation manual. EPA/540/1-89/002. Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation, Washington, DC

  • United States Environmental Protection Agency (1994) Method 1613 Tetra- through octa-chlorinated dioxins and furans by isotope dilution HRGC/HRMS. Office of Water Engineering and Analysis Division (4303), USEPA, Washington, DC

  • United States Environmental Protection Agency (1998) Toxicological review of hexavalent chromium. USEPA, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • United States Environmental Protection Agency (2012) Risk assessment guidance for Superfund. Volume I. Human Health Evaluation Manual (part E, supplemental guidance for dermal risk assessment). Final. EPA/540/R/99/005. Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology, Washington, DC

  • United States Environmental Protection Agency (2014) Risk Assessment guidance for Superfund. Volume I. Human health evaluation manual (part F, supplemental guidance for inhalation risk assessment). EPA-540-R-070-002. Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation, Washington, DC

  • van Dijk C, van Doorn W, van Alfen B (2015) Long term plant biomonitoring in the vicinity of waste incinerators in The Netherlands. Chemosphere 122:45–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vassura I, Passarini F, Ferroni L, Bernardi E, Morselli L (2011) PCDD/Fs atmospheric deposition fluxes and soil contamination close to a municipal solid waste incinerator. Chemosphere 83:1366–1373

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Venturini E, Vassura I, Ferroni L, Raffo S, Passarini F, Beddows DCS et al (2013) Bulk deposition close to a municipal solid waste incinerator: one source among many. Sci Total Environ 456–457:392–403

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vilavert L, Nadal M, Mari M, Schuhmacher M, Domingo JL (2009) Modification of an environmental surveillance program to monitor PCDD/Fs and metals around a municipal solid waste incinerator. J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng 44:1343–1352

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vilavert L, Nadal M, Mari M, Schuhmacher M, Domingo JL (2010) Monitoring temporal trends in environmental levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans: results from a 10-year surveillance program of a hazardous waste incinerator. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 59:521–531

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vilavert L, Nadal M, Schuhmacher M, Domingo JL (2012) Long-term monitoring of dioxins and furans near a municipal solid waste incinerator: human health risks. Waste Manage Res 30:908–916

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vilavert L, Nadal M, Schuhmacher M, Domingo JL (2014) Seasonal surveillance of airborne PCDD/Fs, PCBs and PCNs using passive samplers to assess human health risks. Sci Total Environ 466–467:733–740

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang MS, Chen SJ, Huang KL, Lai YC, Chang-Chien GP, Tsai JH et al (2010) Determination of levels of persistent organic pollutants (PCDD/Fs, PBDD/Fs, PBDEs, PCBs, and PBBs) in atmosphere near a municipal solid waste incinerator. Chemosphere 80:1220–1226

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang M, Zhang S, Zhang Z, Xu Z, Feng G, Ren M (2014) Influence of a municipal solid waste incinerator on ambient air PCDD/F levels: a comparison of running and non-running periods. Sci Total Environ 491–492:34–41

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was financially supported by Sirusa, Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain.

Author information

Affiliations

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

    Lolita Vilavert, Martí Nadal & José L. Domingo

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

    Marta Schuhmacher

Authors
  1. Lolita Vilavert
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Martí Nadal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Marta Schuhmacher
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. José L. Domingo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Martí Nadal.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Vilavert, L., Nadal, M., Schuhmacher, M. et al. Two Decades of Environmental Surveillance in the Vicinity of a Waste Incinerator: Human Health Risks Associated with Metals and PCDD/Fs. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 69, 241–253 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-015-0168-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-015-0168-1

Keywords

  • Municipal Solid Waste
  • United States Environmental Protection Agency
  • Passive Sampler
  • Human Health Risk
  • Hazard Quotient