Waste management strategy and the role of the environmental protection and energy efficiency fund

On 14 October 2005, the Croatian Parliament adopted the National Strategy of Waste Management pursuant to Article 8 of the Waste Act. This strategy defines its objectives and the means to reach them, and gives an overview of the current situation in waste management. It seeks to provide a realistic framework for the effective reduction of national waste load and for a sustainable waste management. This Strategy defines 15 major waste flows which are in concordance with the EU practice. It also defines waste management buildings and plants, and looks into the remediation of municipal waste landfills. According to the Strategy, waste management will be present on all levels of administration: from national to local, and will include all areas of production, consumption, and everyday life. Founded on the EU's general principles of waste management, this Strategy provides the ideal framework for a sustained waste management in Croatia by the year 2025. Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund is one of the key administration bodies within the waste management system. It collects taxes for motor vehicles, for sulphur and nitrogen oxide pollution sources, for environmental hazardous and non-hazardous industrial waste load, and for the use of the environment. The Fund participates in the ongoing municipal landfill remediation projects and programmes all over Croatia (currently 161 landfills are being remedied) and helps to establish new regional and county waste management centres. It co-finances clean production technology projects, projects whose aim is to reduce the emission of harmful gases, projects for reusable energy sources and for more efficient use of energy, projects for remediation of unregulated municipal landfills, projects for primary recycling, and projects for biodiversity landscapes. According to an estimate, the implementation of the National Strategy of Waste Management will cost over 24 billion Croatian kunas (about 3.3 billion Euros). Beside national and local revenues, the Fund will play a key role in carrying this burden.     

Characterization of the solid waste stream of the Tohono O'odham nation

The Tohono O'odham Nation's Solid Waste Management Program (SWMP) and the Sonora Environmental Research Institute, Inc. (SERI) completed a waste characterization study for the Tohono O'odham Nation (the Nation) to aid in the development of an effective waste management plan. The Nation has recently switched from open dumping and burning of waste to collection in dumpsters and transportation to regulated landfills. The study indicated that members of the Nation produce approximately one-third of the average amount of municipal solid waste produced per person per day in the United States. Far fewer hazardous materials and yard trimmings are found in the waste stream than is the U.S. average. Source reduction options are limited because much of the residential waste comes from packaging materials. Recycling opportunities exist but are hampered by the long distance to markets, which forces the Nation to look at innovative ways of utilizing materials on site. An education program focusing on the traditional O'odham lifestyle has been implemented to help reduce solid waste generation while improving people's health and the environment.     

用地理信息系统评价垃圾填埋场对环境污染及危害的研究

目的 利用地理信息系统通过空间智能分析,结合其他监测,评价垃圾填埋场的二次污染物是否对环境产生污染及其危害。方法 对6个正在使用的生活垃圾填埋场用GPs定位仪进行现场标定。采集6个填埋场的渗滤污水进行实验室检测分析,评价填埋场的二次污染物对环境影响和危害。结果 样品检测显示,污水中含有对人体有害的金属和其他物质,粪大肠菌群3个样品超过最低标准4倍以上。应用GIS技术远期预测填埋场今后长期污染可造成对周围水源的二次污染,并提出相应的策略。结论 6个填埋场如不对二次污染物进行有效处理,对环境、人体健康会产生远期危害效应。     

Field survey of enteric viruses in solid waste landfill leachates.

Because municipal solid waste may contain fecal material from a variety of sources, there is concern that the leachate discharged from some solid waste landfills may contain enteric pathogens, including enteric viruses. In this study, 22 leachate samples from 21 different landfills in the United States and Canada were examined for enteric viruses. The sites represented a broad range of conditions for solid waste landfills and the leachate samples ranged from 10.3 to 18 liters in volume. Enteric viruses were found in only one of the 22 leachate samples examined. Two viruses, identified as poliovirus types 1 and 3, were found in an 11.8 liter sample obtained from a site where solid waste landfill practice was deficient. The low levels of enteric viruses detected in field samples of raw leachate and the opportunities for further reductions in the virus concentration of leachates by such processes as thermal inactivation, removal by soil and dilution in ground and surface waters, suggest that leachates from properly operated solid waste landfills do not constitute an environmental or public health hazard due to enteric viruses.     

Pollution Pathways of Pharmaceutical Residues in the Aquatic Environment on the Island of Mallorca, Spain

This work determines the principal environmental pollution pathways of pharmaceuticals on the island of Mallorca (Spain). The evaluation was made on the basis of the quantification of pharmaceutical residues by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry in several environmental water samples, including wastewater-treatment plant effluents, municipal solid waste landfill leachates, groundwater (GW), and marine water. An overall set of 19 pharmaceuticals has been identified in the environment of the 27 human pharmaceuticals investigated in this study. WWTP effluents are the main source of discharge of the pharmaceuticals into the aquatic environment. The data indicate that reuse of treated domestic wastewater for irrigation (which supplies some 30 % of the total water demand in Mallorca) contributes to the contamination of GW. In addition, leaching from landfills is identified as another, but minor, possible source of introduction of pharmaceuticals to GW aquifers. Finally, WWTP effluents ending in the Mediterranean Sea, primarily highly urbanized coastal areas, cause pharmaceutical residues to occur in marine water bodies.     

腐熟垃圾在水中填埋的可行性研究

探讨了填埋年限不同的生活垃圾在水中填埋对水体污染的程度，试验结果表明，腐熟垃圾在水中填埋后会对水体造成较大的污染。因此，宁波市铜盆浦垃圾填埋场的第Ⅰ、第Ⅱ库区填满后，不能把第Ⅰ、Ⅱ库区内的腐熟垃圾填入第Ⅲ库区的水域。宁波市的生活垃圾要实行卫生填埋，财需另选场址。     

Microbial air quality in offices at municipal landfills

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of two municipal landfills on the microbiological air quality in offices on landfill sites. The evaluation was based on the concentration levels of airborne bacteria and fungi and the identification of isolated strains. Air samples were collected with a six-stage Andersen impactor. The concentrations of bacterial aerosol ranged from 1.0 x 10(3) to 7.2 x 10(4) colony forming units (CFU)/m(3) indoors, and from 7.0 x 10 to 4.0 x 10(4) CFU/m(3) outdoors. The corresponding fungal aerosol ranges were from 2.3 x 10(2) to 7.3 x 10(3) CFU/m(3) indoors and from 2.0 x 10(2) to 1.2 x 10(4) CFU/m(3) outdoors. The concentration levels were affected by the season of the year. The study showed that both indoor and outdoor air were heavily contaminated with bacteria and fungi. The proximity of the unpaved transport route and the weighing of refuse loads contributed to the increase of bacterial and fungal aerosol concentrations significantly. The air in the offices was characterized not only by elevated concentrations of bacteria and fungi but also by high frequencies of gram-negative bacteria, along with fungal species characteristic of landfills. The quantitative and qualitative changes in the composition of the bacterial and fungal aerosol posed a possible health risk to office workers at municipal waste landfill sites.     

城市生活垃圾填埋场恶臭气体污染控制方法

介绍了城市生活垃圾填埋场恶臭气体的组分、恶臭污染的危害和控制方法,并论述了生物法除臭在城市生活垃圾填埋场中的应用,对其存在问题进行了分析。     

美国的城市固体废弃物填埋标准

介绍了美国国家环保局颁布的《城市固体废弃物填埋标准》,从选址、运营、设计、地下水监测、关闭及关闭后照管、财政保证6个方面,系统地阐述了其主要内容,对于我国城市垃圾填埋场的建设和管理工作具有的一定的借鉴意义。     

Metals in municipal landfill leachate and their health effects.

The leachate from five municipal landfills (containing no industrial waste or sewage sludge) was studied in 1975 by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Copper was not present in concentrations above EPA standards. Zinc concentrations decreased with age of the site and were below standards. The amounts of cadmium and chromium appear to vary greatly from site to site. Lead, selenium, iron, and mercury were present at each site in concentrations above standards, regardless of site age. Although raw leachate contains concentrations of heavy metals in excess of the drinking water standards, it is not clear how likely it would be for these recorded levels to be found in drinking water supplies or for contamination to reach the human body. Before leachate reaches an aquifer, it is subject to the attenuating effect of the unsaturated zone. If municipal solid waste is placed directly into ground water, or if leachate is allowed to drain directly into surface water, severe damage to water quality can result. Further study of the environmental effects of leachate are being undertaken by the Environmental Protection Agency.     

Relation between malodor, ambient hydrogen sulfide, and health in a community bordering a landfill

Background

Municipal solid waste landfills are sources of air pollution that may affect the health and quality of life of neighboring communities.

Objectives

To investigate health and quality of life concerns of neighbors related to landfill air pollution.

Methods

Landfill neighbors were enrolled and kept twice-daily diaries for 14 d about odor intensity, alteration of daily activities, mood states, and irritant and other physical symptoms between January and November 2009. Concurrently, hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) air measurements were recorded every 15-min. Relationships between H₂S, odor, and health outcomes were evaluated using conditional fixed effects regression models.

Results

Twenty-three participants enrolled and completed 878 twice-daily diary entries. H₂S measurements were recorded over a period of 80 d and 1-h average H₂S=0.22 ppb (SD=0.27; range: 0–2.30 ppb). Landfill odor increased 0.63 points (on 5-point Likert-type scale) for every 1 ppb increase in hourly average H₂S when the wind was blowing from the landfill towards the community (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.29, 0.91). Odor was strongly associated with reports of alteration of daily activities (odds ratio (OR)=9.0; 95% CI: 3.5, 23.5), negative mood states (OR=5.2; 95% CI: 2.8, 9.6), mucosal irritation (OR=3.7; 95% CI=2.0, 7.1) and upper respiratory symptoms (OR=3.9; 95% CI: 2.2, 7.0), but not positive mood states (OR=0.6; 95% CI: 0.2, 1.5) and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms (OR=1.0; 95% CI: 0.4, 2.6).

Conclusions

Results suggest air pollutants from a regional landfill negatively impact the health and quality of life of neighbors.     

生活垃圾填埋场环境监测技术要求标准介绍

GB／T18772-2002《生活垃圾填埋场环境监测技术要求》，从2002年1月1日起实施，该标准确立对城市生活垃圾填埋场环境监测技术的范围、内容和方法。其中包括：大气监测，填埋场气体监测，地下水监测，填埋场外排水监测，渗沥液监测，填埋物的物理性质监测，苍蝇密度等。     

Adverse pregnancy outcomes near landfill sites in Cumbria, northwest England, 1950--1993

Although several researchers have addressed the risk of congenital anomaly in relation to proximity to landfill sites, few have considered the risks of stillbirth or neonatal death for mothers who reside near landfills. The authors studied all 4,325 stillbirths, 3,430 neonatal deaths, and 1,569 lethal congenital anomalies that occurred among 287,993 births to mothers residing in Cumbria, northwest England, during the years 1950 to 1993. Logistic regression models, with data stratified by time period and adjusted for subject-specific demographic factors, were used to investigate the risk for each outcome in regard to proximity at birth to landfill sites within Cumbria. For the years 1970--1993, a small but significantly increased risk of death from "Other congenital anomalies of nervous system" (International Classification of Diseases, 9th rev. [ICD-9], code 742) was found in children of mothers living near domestic waste landfill sites. There was no increased risk of any other lethal adverse pregnancy outcome associated with residence near the landfills studied. The authors' finding of increased risk of death from "Other congenital anomalies of nervous system" closer to landfill sites (e.g., continuous odds ratio = 1.14 [95% confidence interval = 1.03, 1.25] for increasing proximity to landfill sites during 1976--1993) was consistent with findings of other researchers; however, a casual effect could not be inferred from this statistical association, and the possibility that this was a chance finding (in view of multiple significance testing) could not be excluded. Further research incorporating actual pollution data collected around landfill sites and the examination of both lethal and nonlethal congenital anomalies is recommended     

广州大田山垃圾填埋场渗滤液污染现状的调查

华南处于亚热带地区,气候温热多雨,当采用填埋方法处理城市垃圾时,应注意垃圾渗滤液引起的二次污染问题,针对广州大田山垃圾填埋场的环境污染现状,对此进行分析和讨论。     

Health effects associated with the disposal of solid waste in landfills and incinerators in populations living in surrounding areas: a systematic review

Objectives

Potential health hazards for the environment and people living nearby landfills and incinerators are claimed to be related to several methods of waste management. Independent systematic review of the scientific literature is a key procedure to support the lay public and policy makers to achieve informed decisions.

Methods

The study design and potential biases of papers retrieved in this comprehensive literature search were analyzed.

Results

The most consistent result is that the risks of congenital anomalies and hospitalization due to respiratory disease are likely to be real nearby special waste landfills. From the very little information on exclusively urban waste depots it is reasonable to say that correct management of landfill does not increase the risk of these health effects. It is confirmed that historically incinerators are an important source of pollution and harm for the health of populations living nearby; however, changes in technology are producing more reassuring results.

Conclusions

A moderate level of confidence is possible in limited areas of knowledge, implying the need to overcome the limitations of current studies about exposure assessment and to control confounders at the individual level.     

A survey on home generated medical waste in Mauritius

This study was carried out to evaluate home-generated medical waste in Mauritius. A questionnaire survey was undertaken among a random sample population in 250 houses in the nine districts of the island. Results of this study showed an overwhelmingly large proportion of medical waste arising from the domestic environment joins the common municipal solid waste stream and ends in landfills. This improper disposal process poses a serious health hazard to the general public, waste haulers and landfill personnel. It is therefore recommended that a national policy on medical waste management be urgently implemented, proper training of waste haulers be offered and education campaign be carried out to sensitize the general public on safe disposal of medical waste.     

Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes near Landfill Sites in Cumbria,Northwest England, 1950-1993

Although several researchers have addressed the risk of congenital anomaly in relation to proximity to landfill sites, few have considered the risks of stillbirth or neonatal death for mothers who reside near landfills. The authors studied all 4,325 stillbirths, 3,430 neonatal deaths, and 1,569 lethal congenital anomalies that occurred among 287,993 births to mothers residing in Cumbria, northwest England, during the years 1950 to 1993. Logistic regression models, with data stratified by time period and adjusted for subject-specific demographic factors, were used to investigate the risk for each outcome in regard to proximity at birth to landfill sites within Cumbria. For the years 1970-1993, a small but significantly increased risk of death from "Other congenital anomalies of nervous system" (International Classification of Diseases, 9th rev. [ICD-9], code 742) was found in children of mothers living near domestic waste landfill sites. There was no increased risk of any other lethal adverse pregnancy outcome associated with residence near the landfills studied. The authors' finding of increased risk of death from "Other congenital anomalies of nervous system" closer to landfill sites (e.g., continuous odds ratio = 1.14 [95% confidence interval = 1.03, 1.25] for increasing proximity to landfill sites during 1976-1993) was consistent with findings of other researchers; however, a casual effect could not be inferred from this statistical association, and the possibility that this was a chance finding (in view of multiple significance testing) could not be excluded. Further research incorporating actual pollution data collected around landfill sites and the examination of both lethal and nonlethal congenital anomalies is recommended     

Garbage incineration plants -- planning, organisation and operation from health point of view

The Waste Disposal Regulation which became effective March 1, 2001 stipulates that from June 1, 2005 biodegradable residential household and commercial waste may only be deposited on landfills after thermal or mechanical-biological pre-treatment. The Regulation aims at preventing generation of landfill gases that are detrimental to health and climate, and discharge of pollutants from landfills into the groundwater. Waste calculations for the year 2005 predict a volume of 28 million tons. Existing incineration and mechanical-biological treatment plants cover volumes of 14 and 2.5 million tons, respectively. Consequently, their capacity does not meet the demand in Germany. Waste disposal plans have been prepared in the German Federal State of Saxony-Anhalt since 1996 and potential sites for garbage incineration plants have been identified. Energy and waste management companies have initiated application procedures for thermal waste treatment plants and utilization of energy. Health Departments and the Hygiene Institute contributed to the approval procedure by providing the required Health Impact Assessment. We recommended selecting sites in the vicinity of large cities and conurbations and - taking into account the main wind direction - preferably in the northeast. Long-distance transport should be avoided. Based on immission forecasts for territorial background pollution, additional noise and air pollution were examined for reasonableness. In addition, providing structural safety of plants and guaranteeing continuous monitoring of emission limit values of air pollutants, was a prerequisite for strict observance of the 17 (th) BImSchV (Federal Decree on the Prevention of Immissions). The paper informs about planning, construction and conditions for operating the combined garbage heating and power station in Magdeburg-Rothensee (600,000 t/a). Saxony-Anhalt's waste legislation requires non-recyclable waste to be disposed of at the place of its generation, if possible, and utilized as a renewable energy source. This requirement is satisfied in this location. The potential health hazard for residents living in the impact radius is rated low.     

Temporal and spatial pore water pressure distribution surrounding a vertical landfill leachate recirculation well

Addition of liquids into landfilled waste can result in an increase in pore water pressure, and this in turn may increase concerns with respect to geotechnical stability of the landfilled waste mass. While the impact of vertical well leachate recirculation on landfill pore water pressures has been mathematically modeled, measurements of these systems in operating landfills have not been reported. Pressure readings from vibrating wire piezometers placed in the waste surrounding a liquids addition well at a full-scale operating landfill in Florida were recorded over a 2-year period. Prior to the addition of liquids, measured pore pressures were found to increase with landfill depth, an indication of gas pressure increase and decreasing waste permeability with depth. When liquid addition commenced, piezometers located closer to either the leachate injection well or the landfill surface responded more rapidly to leachate addition relative to those far from the well and those at deeper locations. After liquid addition stopped, measured pore pressures did not immediately drop, but slowly decreased with time. Despite the large pressures present at the bottom of the liquid addition well, much smaller pressures were measured in the surrounding waste. The spatial variation of the pressures recorded in this study suggests that waste permeability is anisotropic and decreases with depth.     

填埋场垃圾沉降及产水影响因素分析

针对城市生活垃圾填埋处理中的填埋温度和垃圾成分,对填埋体的沉降和产水影响进行了模拟试验研究.通过计算分析得出了相应的主要影响因素及相关的线性方程,并对垃圾填埋工程提出相应的对策.