Assessment of the Impact on Atmospheric Air Quality Due to Ignition of Illegal Landfills

Abstract

Purpose. To assess the impact on the atmospheric air quality and to calculate environmental risks due to burning of illegal landfills. Methods. Field and laboratory methods and analytical data processing. Results. The research has shown that the main pollutants in the combustion of solid waste are nitrogen dioxin, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, soot, and undifferentiated dust. At the point of emission of pollutants into the atmosphere, the maximum concentration limits of these substances significantly exceed the max allowable ones. In particular, the MAC of NO2 was exceeded in 45 times, CO – in 22 times, soot - in 210 times, SO2 – in 40.8 times, the MAC of undifferentiated dust was exceeded in 120 times. The results of pollutant emissions obtained empirically were significantly differ from those calculated by using the existing methodology. For undifferentiated dust, the results of field measurements exceed the calculated in 73.2 times, for sulfur dioxide – in 10.4 times, for nitrogen dioxide – in 3.5 times, for carbon monoxide - in 6.7 times, for soot - in in 76.8 times. The calculation of pollutant scattering using the EOL + program showed that the combustion of solid waste in a landfill on the border of residential area will exceed the maximum concentration limits for three substances. The calculation of risks for the population was performed. Conclusions. Risk calculations for the population has showed that the impact of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic substances is minimal, i.e. acceptable. The overall risk over a lifetime is also minimal (acceptable). Unauthorized landfill, of course, must be removed with the subsequent restoration of damaged components of the environment.