Use of sewage sludge as secondary fuel in a cement plant: human health risks

摘要: Since 2008, sewage sludge is being used as alternative fuel in a cement plant placed Vallcarca (Catalonia, Spain). To evaluate the temporal trend of environmental levels polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) number metals (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sn, Tl, V, Zn), well potentially associated human health risks, samples soil, herbage, air were collected around facility, after approximately one year permanent partial substitution fuel. The evolution pollutant was assessed by comparing measured concentrations (2009) with those from previous surveys (2003 2006) at same sampling sites. PCDD/Fs herbage soil 0.10 1.11 ng I-TEQ·kg⁻¹ dw, respectively, values very similar to found our surveys. For metals, although clear tendency could not be observed, there fluctuations through time. In this study, which had been analyzed campaigns, also determined air, additionally vegetation. Airborne metal other industrial areas worldwide. risks for population living comparable obtained studies, when petroleum coke exclusively combustible, both cases tolerable according international standards.