Title: | Levels of chemical and microbiological pollutants in the vicinity of a waste incineration plant and human health risks: temporal trends |
Author(s): | Vilavert L; Nadal M; Figueras MJ; Kumar V; Domingo JL; |
Address: | "Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Sant Llorenc 21, 43201 Reus, Catalonia, Spain" |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2011.04.041 |
ISSN/ISBN: | 1879-1298 (Electronic) 0045-6535 (Linking) |
Abstract: | "In 2007, a program was initiated to monitor air levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and bioaerosols in the vicinity of a municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) (Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain). To investigate the temporal trends of chemical and microbiological pollutants, four 6-monthly campaigns were performed. Air samples were collected at different distances and directions from the facility, as well as in reference sites. In general terms, the concentrations of microbiological agents were very similar to those found in urban zones worldwide. The seasonal evaluation of the results showed higher levels of gram-negative bacteria in winter, contrasting with the increase of the airborne amount of total bacteria in summer. On the other hand, the concentrations of VOCs (mean range: 7.6-18.2 mug m(-3)) were typical of suburban zones. The current exposure to those compounds should not mean additional health risks for the population living nearby" |
Keywords: | Aerosols/analysis *Air Microbiology Air Pollutants/*analysis Air Pollution/*statistics & numerical data Benzene/analysis Benzene Derivatives/analysis Cities Environmental Monitoring Environmental Pollutants/*analysis Fungi/isolation & purification Gram-Ne; |
Notes: | "MedlineVilavert, Lolita Nadal, Marti Figueras, Maria J Kumar, Vikas Domingo, Jose L eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't England 2011/05/10 Chemosphere. 2011 Sep; 84(10):1476-83. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2011.04.041. Epub 2011 May 8" |