The health effects of waste incinerators

In the UK, incinerators are still seen as a satisfactory answer to the problem of getting rid of the increasing quantities of waste, including increasing amounts of synthetics. This report examines the scientific evidence from all sources concerning the health implications of waste incineration, and its costs, explicit and hidden.The report reviews what is known about the range of pollutants released by incinerators and their health effects. The major air pollutants are fine airborne particulates (2.5 µm diameter and smaller), toxic metals, and organic chemicals. The precise content of the emissions varies with the material incinerated: emitted chemicals include persistent organic pollutants, hormone disrupters, and carcinogens, but not all the organic components have been identified. In addition, the ash produced includes large quantities of highly toxic fine fly ash (air pollution control residues), which pose important long‐term health risks.Dangers from chemicals have been overlooked in the past: chem...