Resumen de Evaluación del riesgo por exposición a metales pesados y dioxinas emitidos por una planta incineradora de RSU

José Luis Domingo Roig, Marta Schuhmacher Ansuategui

• Public fear of dioxin and cancer has heightened the controversy surrounding municipal solid waste (MSW) incinerators. Concern about MSW incineration has focused especial attention on the emissions of dioxins, together with metals, as potential sources of human exposure to these toxics. This paper provides data on the assessment of the human health risks for the population living in the neighbourhood of a modern MSW incinerator. Results show that food is the major source of human exposure to metals and dioxins, while MSW incineration is not a principal source of human exposure. The authors conclude suggesting that studies on the background levels of metals and dioxins in the vicinity of new MSW incinerators are essentials.