The potential effects of landfills on public health and overall well-being.
The potential effects of landfills on public health and overall well-being.
Keywords: Waste-to-Energy, gasification technology, public health, SDG, CO2 prevention
It is essential to recognize that the state of the environment significantly influences public health.
Our daily functioning depends on the resources we derive from the environment, such as air, water, and food.
The inadequate quality of these resources can lead to an immediate or delayed decline in well-being, the onset of various diseases, and, in extreme cases, fatalities. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor environmental changes diligently. Even seemingly minor deficiencies can disrupt the natural balance and give rise to processes hazardous to public health.
The issue is particularly pertinent to landfills, or waste disposal sites. Their detrimental effects extend beyond mere nuisance, encompassing a broad and insidious range of dangers.
Pollution emanating from landfills spreads in multiple directions simultaneously:
The inadequate quality of these resources can lead to an immediate or delayed decline in well-being, the onset of various diseases, and, in extreme cases, fatalities. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor environmental changes diligently. Even seemingly minor deficiencies can disrupt the natural balance and give rise to processes hazardous to public health.
The issue is particularly pertinent to landfills, or waste disposal sites. Their detrimental effects extend beyond mere nuisance, encompassing a broad and insidious range of dangers.
Pollution emanating from landfills spreads in multiple directions simultaneously:
The potential effects of landfills on public health and overall well-being.
Keywords: Waste-to-Energy, gasification technology, public health, SDG, CO2 prevention
It is essential to recognize that the state of the environment significantly influences public health. Our daily functioning depends on the resources we derive from the environment, such as air, water, and food.
The inadequate quality of these resources can lead to an immediate or delayed decline in well-being, the onset of various diseases, and, in extreme cases, fatalities. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor environmental changes diligently. Even seemingly minor deficiencies can disrupt the natural balance and give rise to processes hazardous to public health.
The inadequate quality of these resources can lead to an immediate or delayed decline in well-being, the onset of various diseases, and, in extreme cases, fatalities. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor environmental changes diligently. Even seemingly minor deficiencies can disrupt the natural balance and give rise to processes hazardous to public health.
The issue is particularly pertinent to landfills, or waste disposal sites. Their detrimental effects extend beyond mere nuisance, encompassing a broad and insidious range of dangers.
Pollution emanating from landfills spreads in multiple directions simultaneously:
Pollution emanating from landfills spreads in multiple directions simultaneously:
1. The infiltration of harmful substances into both underground and surface water is a result of waste accumulation in or near water sources. Moisture permeates the soil, seeping into groundwater and eventually reaching surface water bodies, from which drinking water and other essential resources are drawn. The consumption of contaminated water can result in bodily intoxication, outbreaks of intestinal infections, and other infectious diseases.
2. Soil contamination with hazardous organic and inorganic compounds renders it unsuitable for further economic use. The gradual decomposition of solid waste leads to an accumulation of hazardous chemicals in the soil, as well as contamination by pathogenic microorganisms. Subsequently, toxic substances and pathogenic microorganisms may once again infiltrate groundwater and enter the human body from the soil.
3. The release of gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect into the atmosphere presents a visually imperceptible yet significant issue caused by solid waste landfills. The process of garbage "fermentation," induced by the bacteria within it, results in the generation of landfill gas. This gas predominantly comprises methane, CO2, and other gaseous impurities in minimal quantities, contributing to the deterioration of the ozone layer upon entering the atmosphere. Addressing this problem is straightforward through the collection of landfill gas for use as an alternative source of energy (so called waste-to-energy).
4. In the given locality, the deterioration of the sanitary and epidemiological conditions, coupled with the uncontrolled proliferation of pathogens, can be attributed to the significant presence of easily accessible organic matter within the garbage. This organic matter serves as the primary source of nourishment for numerous bacteria, including pathogenic and parasitic organisms, further exacerbating the situation. Animals residing in landfills, such as dogs, birds, and rodents, act as carriers of dangerous diseases, including but not limited to plague, tetanus, gangrene, cholera, various helminth infections, and others. This situation has the potential to trigger severe disease outbreaks, intensifying the epidemiological situation and posing a substantial threat to public health. Additionally, environmental contamination resulting from landfills heightens the risk of developing cancerous tumors.
The resolution to the issues associated with landfills lies in the establishment of a circular economy and is a part of SDG, where waste is repurposed as raw materials for industrial processes. However, it is imperative to recognize that not all waste can be repurposed in this manner, necessitating the storage of the majority of it in landfills.
At UNIVASTUM, extensive research is conducted to analyze the impact of waste on public health, as well as to explore opportunities for mitigating and significantly alleviating this impact, including impact for CO2 savings. UNIVASTUM model effectively demonstrates the profound impact of waste on public health while emphasizing the relevance of our technology in addressing this critical issue.
2. Soil contamination with hazardous organic and inorganic compounds renders it unsuitable for further economic use. The gradual decomposition of solid waste leads to an accumulation of hazardous chemicals in the soil, as well as contamination by pathogenic microorganisms. Subsequently, toxic substances and pathogenic microorganisms may once again infiltrate groundwater and enter the human body from the soil.
3. The release of gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect into the atmosphere presents a visually imperceptible yet significant issue caused by solid waste landfills. The process of garbage "fermentation," induced by the bacteria within it, results in the generation of landfill gas. This gas predominantly comprises methane, CO2, and other gaseous impurities in minimal quantities, contributing to the deterioration of the ozone layer upon entering the atmosphere. Addressing this problem is straightforward through the collection of landfill gas for use as an alternative source of energy (so called waste-to-energy).
4. In the given locality, the deterioration of the sanitary and epidemiological conditions, coupled with the uncontrolled proliferation of pathogens, can be attributed to the significant presence of easily accessible organic matter within the garbage. This organic matter serves as the primary source of nourishment for numerous bacteria, including pathogenic and parasitic organisms, further exacerbating the situation. Animals residing in landfills, such as dogs, birds, and rodents, act as carriers of dangerous diseases, including but not limited to plague, tetanus, gangrene, cholera, various helminth infections, and others. This situation has the potential to trigger severe disease outbreaks, intensifying the epidemiological situation and posing a substantial threat to public health. Additionally, environmental contamination resulting from landfills heightens the risk of developing cancerous tumors.
The resolution to the issues associated with landfills lies in the establishment of a circular economy and is a part of SDG, where waste is repurposed as raw materials for industrial processes. However, it is imperative to recognize that not all waste can be repurposed in this manner, necessitating the storage of the majority of it in landfills.
At UNIVASTUM, extensive research is conducted to analyze the impact of waste on public health, as well as to explore opportunities for mitigating and significantly alleviating this impact, including impact for CO2 savings. UNIVASTUM model effectively demonstrates the profound impact of waste on public health while emphasizing the relevance of our technology in addressing this critical issue.
In all corners of the world, waste is produced in various forms, from residential areas, industrial sectors like agriculture, oil and gas, food production, and mining, as well as healthcare facilities that should prioritize safeguarding public health. As civilization has advanced, so has our waste management system, which involves collecting, transporting, and disposing of waste. Disposal methods vary widely in their effectiveness. Some methods include reusing and composting organic waste, but the most common (60 to 95%) methods involve incineration and burying waste in landfills. Moreover, illegal disposal practices, such as unauthorized burial and burning, account for 10 to 60% of total waste disposal in different countries.
These disposal processes have far-reaching consequences, as they lead to contamination of air, soil, and water, which in turn affects the food we eat and harms climate. Consequently, the harmful substances find their way into our bodies through food consumption, skin contact, and inhalation. The negative impact of solid waste landfills on the health of residents in surrounding areas has been extensively documented in numerous scientific studies conducted in various countries. In 2015, the World Health Organization convened a conference in Bonn, Germany, bringing together 24 experts from 11 countries. The culmination of the conference was the publication of the report "Waste and Human Health: Evidence and Needs." The report provides references to data collected by researchers from different nations focusing on the long-term effects of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and other harmful substances emitted by landfill sites on the health of adults in nearby regions and their offspring.
For example, studies conducted by British scientists have shown an increased risk of congenital anomalies in children born to women living within a 2 km radius of landfills containing hazardous waste. These anomalies include malformations of the neural tube and abdominal wall, gastroschisis, fetal hernia, as well as low and very low birth weights. According to a British study, women living near household waste dumps may face health risks that may not be immediately apparent. The World Health Organization experts believe that the potential relationship between these risks and living near waste dumps cannot be dismissed, considering the findings of a meta-analysis conducted by Italian scientists, which indicates the very real nature of these risks.
The report also highlights an elevated risk of certain cancers (pancreatic, laryngeal, hepatic, and renal), as well as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, based on several studies. However, the authors emphasize the need for further validation of the data obtained. Furthermore, residing near training grounds may contribute to respiratory diseases, which aligns with common sense. The emissions from such areas include hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen fluoride, methane, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Hydrogen sulfide and nitrogen dioxide are potent irritants with the potential to induce inflammatory processes and bronchospasm. Meanwhile, hydrogen chloride and hydrogen fluoride are known to irritate the mucous membranes of the nose and upper respiratory tract, leading to coughing and breathlessness.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has extensively documented the evaporative properties of various metals and other carcinogenic substances. These include cadmium, lead, formaldehyde, and styrene. In addition, volatile organic compounds such as arsine and stibine, which can undergo conversion into arsenic within the human body, are highly toxic. Typically originating as decomposition by-products of industrial waste rather than household waste, these substances not only contaminate the air but also infiltrate local drinking water sources, thereby imposing an additional toxic burden on nearby residents.
Italian scientists have expressed significant concerns about the impact of landfill sites on the health of neighboring populations. Their studies conducted between 2015 and 2019 in areas where landfills were inadequately regulated by the government revealed a statistically significant increase in mortality rates compared to populations residing distant from landfills. The research further identified elevated risks of liver cancer in both genders, as well as heightened risks of stomach and lung cancer in men. Moreover, the prevalence of urogenital tract anomalies among infants within these populations was notably higher.
Researchers from the epidemiological department of the Regional Health Administration of the Lazio Region and the Regional Environmental Protection Agency of the same region in Rome, Italy conducted a comprehensive study characterized by its meticulous design. The study encompassed 242,409 individuals residing within a 5-kilometer radius of nine different areas. In these areas, the average annual level of hydrogen sulfide in the air ranged from 32.7 to 45.8 ng/m³, compared to the regional average of 6.3 ng/m³. Participants had settled in the area at various times between January 1, 1996, and the end of 2008. The researchers monitored their health until December 31, 2012.
The data analysis involved adjustments for variables such as gender, age, socioeconomic status, and distance from participants' homes to highways and industrial facilities to eliminate any potential confounding factors. One noteworthy aspect of this study is that unlike most previous research, which relied on geographic proximity to landfills as a measure of exposure to harmful substances, this study assessed levels of hydrogen sulfide in the air as an additional metric. The distribution of pollutants is affected by various factors such as wind patterns, topography, and landfill capacity (nine were assessed in the study).
There is a significant correlation between heightened levels of hydrogen sulfide in the air and increased mortality from lung cancer and respiratory diseases. This correlation also applies to higher rates of hospitalization for respiratory diseases, particularly acute respiratory infections in children under 14. The authors maintain that the connection between living in proximity to landfills and respiratory diseases is well-established, bolstered by numerous previous studies. While they acknowledge the necessity for further confirmation, they uphold the rigorous evidentiary standards of medical science, necessitating independent validation of findings.
Despite inconclusive evidence concerning lung cancer, the risk posed by proximity to landfills remains substantial for adults, children, and pregnant women. In evaluating the issue from a regional perspective, it is important to recognize that the existence of waste landfills has adverse effects not only on permanent residents and tourists in the region but also on temporary workers. Furthermore, those most at risk of health implications are the elderly, individuals with limited financial means who rely on locally sourced food and water and are unable to afford environmentally friendly products imported from other regions, thereby requiring prophylactic medication to maintain their health.
Our technology has the potential to significantly mitigate the impact of waste management on the region’s population, as waste is diverted from landfills, thus averting the associated negative consequences. In the gasification process facilitated by UNIVASTUM technology, water and soil pollution is eliminated, and the release of methane (CH4), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur oxides (SOx), ammonia (NH3), and volatile organic compounds is prevented.
Unlike waste incineration methods, both legal and illegal, our Waste-to-Energy solution based on WARP gasification process eliminates the formation of dioxins and furans. Moreover, emission levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon dioxide (CO2) are substantially reduced, meeting even the most stringent European standards.
These disposal processes have far-reaching consequences, as they lead to contamination of air, soil, and water, which in turn affects the food we eat and harms climate. Consequently, the harmful substances find their way into our bodies through food consumption, skin contact, and inhalation. The negative impact of solid waste landfills on the health of residents in surrounding areas has been extensively documented in numerous scientific studies conducted in various countries. In 2015, the World Health Organization convened a conference in Bonn, Germany, bringing together 24 experts from 11 countries. The culmination of the conference was the publication of the report "Waste and Human Health: Evidence and Needs." The report provides references to data collected by researchers from different nations focusing on the long-term effects of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and other harmful substances emitted by landfill sites on the health of adults in nearby regions and their offspring.
For example, studies conducted by British scientists have shown an increased risk of congenital anomalies in children born to women living within a 2 km radius of landfills containing hazardous waste. These anomalies include malformations of the neural tube and abdominal wall, gastroschisis, fetal hernia, as well as low and very low birth weights. According to a British study, women living near household waste dumps may face health risks that may not be immediately apparent. The World Health Organization experts believe that the potential relationship between these risks and living near waste dumps cannot be dismissed, considering the findings of a meta-analysis conducted by Italian scientists, which indicates the very real nature of these risks.
The report also highlights an elevated risk of certain cancers (pancreatic, laryngeal, hepatic, and renal), as well as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, based on several studies. However, the authors emphasize the need for further validation of the data obtained. Furthermore, residing near training grounds may contribute to respiratory diseases, which aligns with common sense. The emissions from such areas include hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen fluoride, methane, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Hydrogen sulfide and nitrogen dioxide are potent irritants with the potential to induce inflammatory processes and bronchospasm. Meanwhile, hydrogen chloride and hydrogen fluoride are known to irritate the mucous membranes of the nose and upper respiratory tract, leading to coughing and breathlessness.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has extensively documented the evaporative properties of various metals and other carcinogenic substances. These include cadmium, lead, formaldehyde, and styrene. In addition, volatile organic compounds such as arsine and stibine, which can undergo conversion into arsenic within the human body, are highly toxic. Typically originating as decomposition by-products of industrial waste rather than household waste, these substances not only contaminate the air but also infiltrate local drinking water sources, thereby imposing an additional toxic burden on nearby residents.
Italian scientists have expressed significant concerns about the impact of landfill sites on the health of neighboring populations. Their studies conducted between 2015 and 2019 in areas where landfills were inadequately regulated by the government revealed a statistically significant increase in mortality rates compared to populations residing distant from landfills. The research further identified elevated risks of liver cancer in both genders, as well as heightened risks of stomach and lung cancer in men. Moreover, the prevalence of urogenital tract anomalies among infants within these populations was notably higher.
Researchers from the epidemiological department of the Regional Health Administration of the Lazio Region and the Regional Environmental Protection Agency of the same region in Rome, Italy conducted a comprehensive study characterized by its meticulous design. The study encompassed 242,409 individuals residing within a 5-kilometer radius of nine different areas. In these areas, the average annual level of hydrogen sulfide in the air ranged from 32.7 to 45.8 ng/m³, compared to the regional average of 6.3 ng/m³. Participants had settled in the area at various times between January 1, 1996, and the end of 2008. The researchers monitored their health until December 31, 2012.
The data analysis involved adjustments for variables such as gender, age, socioeconomic status, and distance from participants' homes to highways and industrial facilities to eliminate any potential confounding factors. One noteworthy aspect of this study is that unlike most previous research, which relied on geographic proximity to landfills as a measure of exposure to harmful substances, this study assessed levels of hydrogen sulfide in the air as an additional metric. The distribution of pollutants is affected by various factors such as wind patterns, topography, and landfill capacity (nine were assessed in the study).
There is a significant correlation between heightened levels of hydrogen sulfide in the air and increased mortality from lung cancer and respiratory diseases. This correlation also applies to higher rates of hospitalization for respiratory diseases, particularly acute respiratory infections in children under 14. The authors maintain that the connection between living in proximity to landfills and respiratory diseases is well-established, bolstered by numerous previous studies. While they acknowledge the necessity for further confirmation, they uphold the rigorous evidentiary standards of medical science, necessitating independent validation of findings.
Despite inconclusive evidence concerning lung cancer, the risk posed by proximity to landfills remains substantial for adults, children, and pregnant women. In evaluating the issue from a regional perspective, it is important to recognize that the existence of waste landfills has adverse effects not only on permanent residents and tourists in the region but also on temporary workers. Furthermore, those most at risk of health implications are the elderly, individuals with limited financial means who rely on locally sourced food and water and are unable to afford environmentally friendly products imported from other regions, thereby requiring prophylactic medication to maintain their health.
Our technology has the potential to significantly mitigate the impact of waste management on the region’s population, as waste is diverted from landfills, thus averting the associated negative consequences. In the gasification process facilitated by UNIVASTUM technology, water and soil pollution is eliminated, and the release of methane (CH4), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur oxides (SOx), ammonia (NH3), and volatile organic compounds is prevented.
Unlike waste incineration methods, both legal and illegal, our Waste-to-Energy solution based on WARP gasification process eliminates the formation of dioxins and furans. Moreover, emission levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon dioxide (CO2) are substantially reduced, meeting even the most stringent European standards.