• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.20-35
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• 2021

Objectives: Waste treatment by incineration is gradually increasing as the emission of harmful substances has decreased owing to developments in incineration technology. However, residents living near incinerators continue to express anxiety regarding the effects on their health. Therefore, we attempted to summarize the health impact of incinerators by comprehensively reviewing the recently reported literature. Methods: Sixty-two epidemiological research papers related to incineration and health effects were selected from the Google Scholar database and analyzed (from between January 2001 and December 2019). Results: When compared to older incinerators, newer incinerators established after 2000 are considered relatively safe in terms of health effects. Nevertheless, there have been some studies that have linked them to various diseases, such as malignant tumors including soft tissue cancer and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, reproductive disorders, respiratory diseases, and more. In addition, incinerator workers and local residents are considered to be exposed to dioxins and some heavy metals from the incinerator. Since most studies included subjects exposed to older incinerators, it is difficult to apply these results to the health impact assessment of new incinerators. However, it is not appropriate to conclude that new incinerators made with state-of-the-art technology are safe, as chronic environmental diseases caused by hazardous substances tend to appear only after prolonged exposure. Conclusions: In terms of environmental health, it is necessary to continuously monitor the health effects of incinerators. Also, there is a need to develop a research methodology that can minimize various confounders in incineration-related epidemiological study.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.55-63
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• 2007

PCDD/Fs monitoring was carried out to estimate the contamination level in soil samples taken in the vicinity of the various incinerators throughout South Korea from July 2003 to December 2004. The levels ranged from N.D. to 130.39 pg I-TEQ/g (d.w.) with an average concentration of 11.38 pg I-TEQ/g (d.w.). The level of PCDD/Fs in this study is similar to that of other countries. Overall, the highest mean concentration in the soil was found at 250 m from the stack. In addition, the flue gases were analyzed in order to obtain the congener profiles of the PCDD/Fs emitted from the incinerators. The concentration of I-TEQ in the flue gas ranged from 0.33 to 21.5 ng TEQ/$Sm^3$. These levels were much lower than the concentration stipulated in the Korean emission criterion(40 ng TEQ/$Sm^3$ until 2005). The comparison of the congener patterns using cluster analysis showed that the incinerators and PCP are sources of PCDD/Fs in the soil samples according to the sampling point, but the possibility of unidentified combustion sources and vehicles exists in the case of complex industrial regions.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.183-190
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• 2007

In this study, we have investigated waste incinerators which are one of the major HAPs emission sources. In order to obtain more reliable HAPs emission data from waste incinerators, direct sampling for the possible pollutants from the stack was carried out and the analysis was performed. The purpose of study was to understand the emission status from waste incinerators and recognize the problems and finally to set up a strategy to reduce the HAPs emissions from waste incinerators. The emission concentrations of 8 species of heavy metals and 16 species of PAHs have been analyzed for the first time in Korea. Not only the emission characteristics of HAPs from waste incinerators were identified, but also the analysis of reduction efficiencies for control devices such as BF and wet scrubbing systems was carried out.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.314-322
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• 2003

Objectives : In this study, the exposure status of the hazardous substances from incinerators, such as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), were studied , and the relationship between the exposure of these hazardous substances and their heath effects on the workers and residents near municipal solid waste (MSW) incinerators and an industrial incinerator investigated. Methods : Between July 2001 and Jure 2002, 13 workers at two MSW incinerators, 16 residents from the area around the two MSW incinerators, 6 residents from the control area, and further 10 residents near an industrial incinerator, estimated to emit higher levels of hazardous substances, were interviewed. Information, including sociodemographic information, personal habits, and work history, detailed gynecologic and other medical history were collected through interviews. Blood samples were also collected from 45 subjects, and analyzed for PCDD/DFs, by high resolution gas chromatography -high resolution mass spectrometry, using the US EPA 1613 method. In addition to the questionnaire survey, urinary concentrations of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured as oxidative injury biomarkers. The urinary concentrations of 8-OH-dG were determined by in vitro ELISA, and the MDA by HPLC, using u adduct with thiobarbituric acid. Results : The PCDD/DFs concentrations in the residents near the industrial incinerator were higher than those in the controls, workers and residents near the MSW incinerators. The average TEQ (Toxic Equivalencies) concentrations of the PCDD/DFs in residents near the industrial incinerator were 53.4pg I-TEQs/g lipid. The estimated daily intakes were within the tolerable daily intake range (1-4 pg I-TEQ/Kg bw/day) suggested by WHO (1997) in only 30% to the people near the industrial incinerator. Animal studies have already shown that even a low body border of PCDD/DFs, such as 10 ng TEQ/kg bw, can cause oxidative damage in laboratory animals. Our study also showed that the same body burden of PCDD/DFs can cause oxidative damage to humans. Conclusions : The exposures to PCDD/DFs and the oxidative stress of residents near the industrial incinerator, were higher than those in the controls, workers and residents near the MSW incinerators. Proper protection strategies against these hazardous chemicals are needed. Because a lower body burden of PCDD/Fs, such as 10ng TEQ/kg bw, can cause oxidative damage, the tolerable daily intake range should be restrictedly limited to 1pg I-TEQ/kg bw/day.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.27 no.11
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• pp.1205-1214
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• 2005

This study was carried out to investigate the emission characteristics of volatile metals(Hg, As, Se) and semi volatile metals such as Pb from small and medium size municipal solid waste incinerators(MSWIs). The concentrations of Hg, Pb, As and Se in emission gas from small size waste incinerators were higher than those of medium size waste incinerators. This is probably due to less air pollutant control devices and high emission gas temperature of the small size waste incinerators relative to the medium size waste incinerators. Emission gas temperature from small and medium size waste incinerators were divided into 2 groups. The first group was about $100^{\circ}C$ and the second roup in the range of $400{\sim}700^{\circ}C$. The concentrations of emission gas at the second group were Hg $70.43\;{\mu}g/Sm^3$, Pb $0.94\;{\mu}g/Sm^3$, As $9.83\;{\mu}g/Sm^3$ and Se $5.05\;{\mu}g/Sm^3$. The concentrations of Hg, Pb, As and Se at the first group were lower than those found at the second group. Besides, the removal efficiencies of Hg in medium size waste incinerators were $55.2{\sim}95.9%$. Emission gas temperature reduction from waste heat boiler(WHB) contribute to control of Hg. Based on above results, we postulate that the temperature of flue gas should play a very important role in volatile metal control in small and medium size MSWIs. In order to improve the volatile metals removal efficiency, the temperature of cooling system must be controlled and the air pollution control device should be operated properly.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.539-546
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• 2002

The physicochemical properties of solid wastes generated from seven highway service areas, four branch offices, and one construction site were analyzed in concert with air pollutants including heavy metals emitted from near-by small-scale incinerators. The amount of solid wastes generated from highway areas has been increasing with recent increases in the number of highways and passengers. Twelve incinerators examined in this study generally had capacity smaller than 100 kg/hr, most of which were equipped with cyclone for dust removal. It was seen that the concentrations of the gas-phase air pollutants (e.g., SO$_2$, NO$_{x}$, HCl and H$_2$S) were above the acceptable emission standards except one or two sites. CO concentrations at all incinerators were also higher due to incomplete combustion. In addition, particulate matters showed concentration six times higher at their maximum. The results of heavy metal analysis showed that the concentrations of Cu, Cd, and Ni satisfied the emission standards. whereas Pb at one site and Zn at five sites exceeded the standards. Cr measurement results indicated that 9 of 12 incinerators had higher values than the standard; especially one branch office showed nine times higher than normal concentration. In order to satisfy more stringent emission standards in the near future, it is necessary to install air pollution control system and to develop an intensified management plan.n.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.119-127
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• 2009

This study was carried out to investigate the distribution characteristics of persistent organic pollutants in incineration residues at industrial waste incinerators and municipal solid waste incinerators, which were analyzed by the official analytical method for the endocrine disrupting chemicals and the waste. Seven of 12 persistent organic pollutants were quantitatively analyzed by GC-MSD (SIM-mode). Hexachlorobenzene was detected in 21 samples among 44 incineration residues. The level of hexachlorobenzene was 0.132-8.138 ng/g in incineration residues, 0.195-5.765 ng/g in fly ash at industrial waste incinerators, 0.270-1.828 ng/g in bottom ash and 0.154-50.643 ng/g in fly ash at municipal solid waste incinerators, respectively.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.419-424
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• 2005

In recent years, dioxins which were designated as persistent organic pollutants and endocrine disrupters are treated as substance of environmental pollution and studied about human health risk assessment, emission pollutants estimation, analytical methods and so on. It is easy that dioxins are accumulated to soil because of the atmosphere circulation of burning up the waste. This is the comparative studies on the distribution relationship of dioxin isomers in exhausted gas of industrial waste and urban waste incinerators, ambient air and soil. A basis of PCDDs and PCDFs based on OCDD was drawn up to the curve and they correspond to dioxin isomers in exhausted gas of industrial waste and urban waste incinerators and ambient air. On comparing these results, It was found that the ambient air and exhausted gas of industrial waste incinerators were very similar in curve and ratio. Consequently, environmental by exposed dioxin depends on the exhausted gas of industrial waste incinerators than urban waste incinerators. In case of soil, even though we can not completely rule out the possibility of pollution source bring on pesticide and other factors, and naturally biological dissociations, the curve shape is very similar to exhausted gas of industrial waste incinerators and ambient air. So, we inform here that it was mainly caused by these environmental factors.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.217-226
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• 2007

The purpose of this study is to estimate the emission factor of $non-CO_2$ global warming gases such as $N_2O$ and $CH_4$ by measuring concentrations from stacks of waste incinerators and cement production plants. Based on the established monitoring methods, $N_2O$ concentration measured from stacks in incinerator were between 0.62 and $40.60\;ppm_v$ (ave. $11.50\;ppm_v$). The concentration of $N_2O$ was dependent on the incinerator types. However, the concentrations of $CH_4$ gas were between 2.65 and $5.68\;ppm_v$ (ave. $4.22\;ppm_v$), and did not show the dependency on the incinerator types. In the cement production plant, the concentration ranges of $N_2O$ from the stack were from 6.90 to $10.80\;ppm_v$ (ave. $8.60\;ppm_v$), and $CH_4$ were between 1.80 and $2.20\;ppm_v$ (ave. $2.60\;ppm_v$). Using measured concentrations, the emission amounts of $N_2O$ and $CH_4$ from stacks per year were calculated. The results were is 4.2 ton $N_2O/yr$ in the incinerators, and 53.7 ton $N_2O/yr$ in the cement facilities. The big difference is from the flow rate of flue gas in the cement facilities compared to the incinerators. By the same reason, the $CH_4$ emission amounts in cement plant and incinerator was found to be 339 ton $CO_2/yr$ and 34.1 ton $CO_2/yr$, respectively. Finally, the emission factor of $N_2O$ in the incinerators were calculated using the measured concentration and the amount of incinerated wastes, and was $42.5\sim799.1\;g/ton$ in kiln and stoker type, $11.9\sim79.9\;g/ton$ in stoker type, 90.1 ton/g in rotary kiln type, 174.9 g/ton in fluidized bed type, and 63.8 g/ton in grate type, respectively. Also, the emission factors of $CH_4$ were found to 65.2-91.3 g/ton in kiln/stoker type, 73.9-122 g/ton in stoker type, 109.5 g/ton rotary kiln, and 26.1 g/ton in fluidized bed type. This result indicates that the emission factor in incinerators is strongly dependent on the incinerator types, and matched with result of IPCC (International Panel on Climate Change) guideline.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.205-213
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• 2004

The emission characteristics of mercury in waste incinerators were investigated to get basic data for the policy development on the emission reduction of mercury (Hg). For the study several important factors were analysed from 4 incinerators such as mercury concentration, emission factors and removal rate for control devices. The results are listed below. Mercury concentrations in the flue gas were 0.39～5.96 $\mu\textrm{g}$/S㎥ in MWI and 2.5～8.8 $\mu\textrm{g}$/S㎥ in IWI. The distributions of gaseous and particulate mercury in flue gas were above 99% and below 1 %, respectively. Therefore, in order to remove mercury effectively, it is important to control the gaseous mercury. Mercury concentrations in fly ash collected from control device were found as 16.2～35.6 mg/kg- ash in FF of MWI. Also mercury concentrations at the front and back point of control device of MWI were 33.45～62.65 $\mu\textrm{g}$/S㎥ and 0.88～3.49 $\mu\textrm{g}$/S㎥, respectively. Emission factors were estimated as 3.67～11.67 mg/ton in FF, 2.6～24.5 mg/ton in MWI with SNCR, SDR and FF, 54.9～192.7 mg/ton in IWI with Cyclone and FF. Emissions from Municipal Waste Incinerator were found both in minimum and maximum ranges. Annual mercury emissions emitted from MWI was estimated as 20.0 kg (6.0～33.9 kg).