Toxicological Risk by Inhalation Exposure of Air Pollution Emitted from China's Municipal Solid Waste Incineration

Municipal solid waste (MSW) incineration has developed rapidly in China. However, the air pollution-related health risks attributable to MSW incinerators are still far from known. In this context, an MSW incineration emission inventory was compiled using plant-level activity data and localized emission factors. Subsequently, Gaussian Plume Model and Risk Quotients Model were utilized to calculate the spatialized hazard index (HI) and carcinogenic risk (CR). Altogether, 76449 tons (t) of NO _X, 25725 t of SO₂, 16937 t of CO, 9279 t of HCl, 5629 t of particulate matter, 33 t of Cr, 33 t of Pb, 20 t of Hg, 6 t of Cd, 4 t of Ni, 0.4 t of As, and 94 g-toxic equivalent quantity of polychlorinated dibenzo- p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans were emitted in 2015. The national average HI was 1.88 × 10^-2, which was far lower than the acceptable level (HI ≤ 1). However, the national average CR was 5.71 × 10^-6, which was approximately five times higher than the acceptable level (CR ≤ 1 × 10^-6). The spatial heterogeneity of health risks was observed. The results enrich spatial dimensions of prior estimates and provide policy implications from the aspects of accelerating technology upgrades, strengthening emission standards, optimizing site selection and enhancing risk communication.