Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons from Domestic Solid Waste Incinerators in Nam Dinh Province, Northern Area of Vietnam: A Comprehensive Assessment of Emission, Source Markers and Human Health Risk.

A comprehensive research of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) emission from domestic waste incinerators in northern areas of Vietnam, were investigated. Sixty-four samples from two domestic waste incinerators were collected and analyzed for PAHs. The PAHs concentrations in the samples were determined using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. In April, June, September, and November 2021, Σ16PAHs mean concentrations in chimney air samples were 970.9 ± 57.4, 1061.9 ± 49.8, 1070.7 ± 41.3 and 1136.1 ± 136.5 µg m-3, respectively. The mean emission factors of Σ16PAHs were 7.5 mg/kg. The mean percentages of low molecular weight PAHs were predominant in the analyzed air samples. The toxic equivalent quotient of samples ranged from 30.7 to 41.7 mg/kg, whereas the incremental lifetime cancer risk exceeded 10- 3. This results implied a high level of concern with potentially negative health consequences. The four diagnostic ratios of PAHs were found and can be used for identification of sources markers from domestic waste incinerators.

Level of BTEX in the Areas of Domestic Waste Incinerators in Northern Vietnam: A Comprehensive Assessment of Contamination, Composition and Human Health Risk.

The trend of the treatment of solid domestic waste by the domestic waste incinerator system is an option to improve waste management and to reduce the negative impacts on the environment and human health. Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (o-, m- and p-) (BTEX) are toxic chemical environmental contaminants that are released from different sources such as the domestic waste incinerator system. To determine the concentration of BTEX in the ambient air from these incinerator areas, the research team conducted four sampling campaigns in April, June, September, and November 2021, with a total of 80 samples collected. Concentrations of benzene, toluene, (m,p)-xylenes, o- xylenes and ethylbenzene ranged from 4.53 to 36.75 µg/m3, from 16.29 µg/m3 to 125.36 µg/m3, from 2.82 µg/m3 to 31.45 µg/m3, from 1.42 µg/m3 to 25.61 µg/m3, from 1.32 µg/m3 to 10.79 µg/m3, respectively. As a result of the risk assessment, it was determined that the incinerator's exhaust gas caused secondary environmental damage, impacting the health of not only workers but also people living in nearby communities. On that basis, the article recommends applying a number of management measures to minimize the negative impacts of the operation of the solid waste incinerator on the environment and the health of the workers operating the incinerator.