Temporal change and impact on air quality of an energy recovery plant using the M-BACI design in Gipuzkoa

Nuria Errasti ¹, Aitana Lertxundi ², Ziortza Barroeta ³

¹Department of Preventative Medicine and Public Health, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain.
²Department of Preventative Medicine and Public Health, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain; Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, Group of Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development, Paseo Doctor Begiristain S/n, 20014, San Sebastian, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, C/Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029, Madrid, Spain.
³Department of Preventative Medicine and Public Health, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain; Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, Group of Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development, Paseo Doctor Begiristain S/n, 20014, San Sebastian, Spain.
⁴Public Health Laboratory of the Basque Government, Bizkaia Technology Park, Ibaizabal Bidea, Building 502, 48160, Derio, Spain.
⁵Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, Group of Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development, Paseo Doctor Begiristain S/n, 20014, San Sebastian, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, C/Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Department of Health of the Basque Government, Subdirectorate of Public Health of Gipuzkoa, Avenida Navarra 4, 20013, San Sebastian, Spain; Faculty of Psychology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 20008, San Sebastian, Spain.
⁶Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, Group of Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development, Paseo Doctor Begiristain S/n, 20014, San Sebastian, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, C/Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Department of Health of the Basque Government, Subdirectorate of Public Health of Gipuzkoa, Avenida Navarra 4, 20013, San Sebastian, Spain.
⁷Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, Group of Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development, Paseo Doctor Begiristain S/n, 20014, San Sebastian, Spain.
⁸Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, Group of Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development, Paseo Doctor Begiristain S/n, 20014, San Sebastian, Spain; CEADIR. Faculty of Biology, University of Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Avda Licenciado Méndez Nieto S/n, 37007, Salamanca, Spain.

⁰Department of Preventative Medicine and Public Health, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain.

Chemosphere +

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July 10, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Air quality monitoring before and after an Energy Recovery Plant (ERP) installation showed reduced particulate matter (PM2.5) and trace elements. However, selenium levels increased, necessitating further investigation into its sources.

Area Of Science

Environmental Science
Air Quality Monitoring
Pollution Control

Background

Incineration of waste releases air pollutants, posing risks to health and the environment.
Effective control and monitoring of these pollutants are essential.
Energy Recovery Plants (ERPs) are increasingly used for waste management.

Purpose Of The Study

To analyze the changes in particulate matter (PM2.5) and trace elements before and after ERP installation.
To assess the environmental impact of ERP operations on air quality.
To compare air quality in an impact zone (IZ) versus a control zone (CZ).

Main Methods

A Before-After/Control-Impact (BACI) design was employed.
Descriptive and temporal analyses of PM2.5 concentration and composition were conducted.
Data was collected over two periods: pre-ERP (Jan 2018-Feb 2020) and post-ERP (Dec 2020-Sep 2022).

Main Results

PM2.5 and associated trace element levels decreased in both IZ and CZ post-ERP installation.
The most significant PM2.5 reduction coincided with ERP start-up and COVID-19 restrictions.
Selenium was the only trace element showing a significant increase in the IZ, with a pre-existing upward trend.

Conclusions

Overall air quality improved post-ERP, with reductions in most pollutants.
The increase in selenium levels in the impact zone requires further research to identify the cause.
Continued monitoring is crucial to understand long-term environmental impacts and pollutant trends.

Keywords:

Air quality BACI design ERP PM(2.5) Trace elements