Modern, well managed incinerators make only a small contribution to local concentrations of air pollutants. It is possible that such small additions could have an impact on health but such effects, if they exist, are likely to be very small and not detectable, says Health Protection Agency in its updated position statement after reviewing the latest literature.

New incinerator projects are being proposed throughout the country with the aim of reducing the UK's reliance on land-fill for municipal wastes. EU legislation has stimulated this major change in waste management strategy.

Concerns have been expressed about the air pollution risks posed by municipal incinerators and the Agency first issued a statement giving advice on health issues in November 2005. Since that time, more research has been carried on the possible air pollution risks posed by modern incinerators and the HPA has therefore issued a new position statement.

The Agency, not least through its role in advising Primary Care Trusts and Local Health Boards, will continue to work with regulators to ensure that incinerators do not contribute significantly to illhealth.

Much more figures are to be found in the HPA statement The Impact on Health of Emissions to Air from Municipal Waste Incinerators (PDF, 121 KB).

Quelle: Health Protection Agency

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