Trends in combustion technology in relation to health risk

The general aspects of air pollutant formation during combustion are summarized, and emphasis placed on smoke emissions highly suspected of inducing cancer in human beings. A health risk index is defined, taking into account both quantities and toxicities of emission compounds. Pollutant formation during real combustion processes is discussed considering different fuels and different combustion devices both for stationary applications and for transportation. The possible technological actions for emission reduction with regard mainly to soot and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons are described for different cases. The paper ends with some considerations of the prospects for research in the field of combustion and on the strategies of cooperation between combustion scientists and toxicologists.