Open burning pollution source

Even though society has moved toward centralized industries and utilities, we still have many personal sources of air pollution for which we alone can answer—(1) automobiles, (2) home furnaces, (3) home fireplaces and stoves, (4) backyard barbecue grills, and (5) open burning of refuse and leaves. Figure 6-4 illustrates the personal emissions of a typical U.S. family. 

To develop an emission inventory for an area, one must (1) list the types of sources for the area, such as cupolas, automobiles, and home fireplaces (2) determine the type of air pollutant emission from each of the listed sources, such as particulates and SO2 (3) examine the literature (9) to find valid emission factors for each of the pollutants of concern (e.g., "particulate emissions for open burning of tree limbs and brush are 10 kg per ton of residue consumed") (4) through an actual count, or by means of some estimating technique, determine the number and size of specific sources in the area (the number of steelmaking furnaces can be counted, but the number of home fireplaces will probably have to be estimated) and (5) multiply the appropriate numbers from (3) and (4) to obtain the total emissions and then sum the similar emissions to obtain the total for the area. 

The release of PCDD/PCDF from transport activities was estimated to be very minimal and not reported for uncontrolled combustion processes (Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2004). In the Department of Environment Malaysia 1997 report, the major sources of air pollution in 1996 were motor vehicles, 82%, power stations, 9%, industrial fuel burning, 5%, industrial production processes, 3%, domestic and commercial furnaces, 0.2%, and open burning at solid waste disposal sites, 0.8% (Afroz et al., 2003). Leaded gasoline has been phased out since 1998 and most cars have been fitted with catalytic converters since then. Consequently, a minimal release of PCDD/PCDF is expected from motor vehicles that are mainly from diesel-powered vehicles. The released air pollutions monitored were CO, N02, S02, 03, and suspended particulate matters. 

Contaminants in ambient air result in inhalation exposure either when the child is outdoors and breathes contaminated air or when contaminants in the air are transported indoors where the child spends time. Adverse health effects (acute and chronic) associated with inhalation of air contaminants are a common concern for people living in polluted cities, near hazardous waste sites, or close to point sources like smelters (Figure 15). Air emissions from past or current production processes, as well as volatilization of organic compounds, airborne particulates, and acid gases, may expose residents to contaminants at levels of health concern (ATSDR, 1994). In urban areas, mobile sources contribute substantially to organic, inorganic, and particulate air pollution. Fires, open burning, and wind-blown dust can also be major sources of ambient air pollution. 

The presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the environment is of obvious concern and, apart from specific occupational environments, human exposure to these compounds derives from combustion products released into the atmosphere. Estimates of the total annual benzo[aJpyrene emissions in the United States range from 900 tons (19) to about 1300 tons (20). These totals are derived from heat and power generation (37-38%), open-refuse burning (42-46%), coke production (15-19%) and motor vehicle emissions (1-1.5%) (19,20). Since the vast majority of these emissions are from stationary sources, local levels of air pollution obviously vary. Benzo[aJpyrene levels of less than 1 pg/1,000 m correspond to clean air (20). At this level, it can be estimated that the average person would inhale about 0.02 pg of benzo[aJpyrene per day, and this could increase to 1.5 pg/day in polluted air (21). 

Figure 4.2. (A) Workers are dismantling electric appliances in Taizhou. In 1980s, dismantling the scrap transformers containing PCBs as dielectric fluids has severely polluted the environment. (B) Open backyard burning of wires and other parts to recycle copper or other metals is very typical although it is illegal. The activity has been considered the major source of PCDD/Fs in the region in recent years.

Gordon Larson who succeeded McCabe continued to reduce the emissions of refineries and other industries. He also undertook the control of emissions from open dump burning and backyard incinerators and made the initial contacts with the automobile industry to control motor vehicle exhaust emissions. However, in this drive to control the proved main sources of air pollution, Larson was opposed by the petroleum, chemical, and other industries, and primarily the individual citizen with his backyard incinerator. 

Open fires, however, are a source of pollution since the smoke produced contains large quantities of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo(a)pyrene, a carcinogen also found in cigarette smoke. In some communities, it has been necessary to restrict the burning of wood because of the resulting air pollution. 

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