Emission of volatile organic compounds from solid waste disposal sites and importance of heat management

Abstract

The emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from a solid waste disposal site for municipal solid wastes was quantified. The VOCs contained in the landfill gas taken at the site were benzene, toluene, xylenes, ethyl benzenes, and trimethyl benzenes, while the concentrations of chlorinated compounds were very low. The concentration of benzene in the landfill gas samples ranged from below the detection limit to 20 mg m(-3), and the ratio of benzene to toluene ranged from 0.2 to 8. The higher concentrations of VOCs in landfill gas and in leachates were observed with the samples taken at high temperature areas of the target site. Polystyrene plastic waste was identified as one of the sources of VOCs in solid waste disposal sites at a high temperature condition. The appropriate heat management in landfill sites is an important countermeasure to avoid unusually high emission of VOCs because the heat generated by the biodegradation of organic solid wastes may promote the release of VOCs, especially in the case of sites which receive both biodegradable and plastic wastes.

Pollution profiles, health risk of VOCs and biohazards emitted from municipal solid waste transfer station and elimination by an integrated biological-photocatalytic flow system: A pilot-scale investigation

“…The source of aromatic compounds included solvents, paints, and food additives in MSWs [28] and petroleum combustion [29] by compressors as well as the motor vehicles near transfer station. Additionally, similar with this work, a large portion of aromatics was also detected in a vicinity of a municipal waste organic fraction treatment plant in Spain [2] and at solid waste disposal sites in Japan [30], though chlorinated compound concentrations were very low [30]. The different portions of various VOC species between compressor working and off might be the difference of treatment process.…”

Plastic Degradation and Its Environmental Implications with Special Reference to Poly(ethylene terephthalate)

“…Pollutants of note include volatile organics, such as benzene, toluene, xylenes, ethyl benzenes and trimethyl benzenes, released both as gases and contained in leachate [49] and endocrine disrupting compounds, in particular BPA [50][51][52]. In addition to its endocrine disruption properties, BPA released from plastics in landfill has also been shown to lead to an increase in production of hydrogen sulphide by sulphate-reducing bacteria in soil populations [52].…”

A Review of Landfill Gas Generation and Utilisation in Africa

“…A Study identified that volatile compounds like hydrocarbons, aromatic substances, oxygenated, chlorinated and sulphur compounds as present in landfill sites [22]. A study identified similar volatile compounds such as benzene and trim ethyl benzene as present in a landfill [12]. The study also concluded that polystyrene plastic waste was known as the major source of the volatile chemical compound in the landfill [12].…”

“…A study identified similar volatile compounds such as benzene and trim ethyl benzene as present in a landfill [12]. The study also concluded that polystyrene plastic waste was known as the major source of the volatile chemical compound in the landfill [12]. NMOCs are organic compounds (i.e., compounds that contain carbon).…”

“…There are increasing numbers of LFG utilisation technologies which are functioning around the world. Africa has approximately 1% of the total LFG utilisation technology in the world and the rate of increase in the technology as the years go by is very low [12].…”