Assessment of the health risks and odor concentration of volatile compounds from a municipal solid waste landfill in China. (July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wu, Chuandong; Liu, Jiemin; Liu, Shihua; Li, Wenhui; Yan, Luchun; Shu, Mushui; Zhao, Peng; Zhou, Peng; Cao, Wenbin
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 202(2018)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 8
• Publication Date: 2018-07
• Subjects: Municipal solid waste -- Landfill gas -- Odor concentration -- Health risk -- Hydrogen sulfide; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.03.068
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: Municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills are a source of odorous and toxic compounds. In this work, we present an integrated assessment of the odor concentration and human health risks of volatile compounds to evaluate the environmental quality at a MSW landfill. Air samples were collected seasonally from six areas of the landfill with different functions. The total concentrations of the compounds ranged from 204.0 to 7426.7 μg m −3, and the concentrations in temporarily and permanently capped areas were 50.3 and 83.4% lower than those in the tipping area, respectively. The odor concentration was greatest at the leachate collection tank (1732–6254 ouE m −3 ) and tipping area (1573–4113 ouE m −3 ) and was mainly caused by hydrogen sulfide (57.9 and 49.1%, respectively). Moreover, the odor concentration was positively correlated with the temperature ( r = 0.500, p < 0.05, n = 24). Although the non-carcinogenic (HI) and carcinogenic (R) risks of most compounds were largely below the acceptable levels (HI = 1, R = 1.0E-6), HI values of hydrogen sulfide (2.3), trichloropropane (2.0), and naphthalene (1.2) as well as R values of naphthalene (1.3E-4) and trimethylbenzene (1.2E-4) in the waste areas exceeded acceptable levels. Moreover, the cumulative HI (2.5–5.7) and R (1.0E-04 to 3.4E-04) in the waste areas should receive special attention since they were above acceptable levels during all of the seasons. Aromatic and halogenated compounds dominated the cumulative R, accounting for 79 and 21% of the total, on average, while for the cumulative HI, sulfur compounds contributed the most (67%). Highlights: The odor and health risk of volatile compounds at a landfill were assessed. The odor concentration at landfill boundary exceeds the emission standard by 4 times. Sulfur compounds contributed the most to odor pollution and non-carcinogenic risk. Aromatics and halogenated compounds dominated the carcinogenic risk. Cumulative risks in waste areas largely exceed acceptable levels.