Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Landfill MACT
Summary
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2. What Pollutants are Regulated and What are their Adverse Health
Effects?
The final rule ensures reductions of emissions of nearly 30 HAP
including, but not limited to:
Vinyl chloride
Ethyl benzene
Toluene
Benzene
Health and Environmental Risk Assessment Resources
Search the following sites for more information on the HAP listed above.
US
EPA HAPS Health Effects Notebook
US
EPA Integrated Risk Information System
University
of Vermont Safety Resources
NIOSH
Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
WISER -
the Wireless Information System for Emergency Responders
Each of the HAP emitted from MSW landfills can cause adverse health
effects provided sufficient
exposure. For example, vinyl chloride can adversely affect the central
nervous system and has been shown to increase the risk of liver
cancer in humans, while benzene is known to cause leukemia in humans.
The degree of adverse effects to human health from exposure to these
HAP can range from mild to severe. The extent and degree to which
the human health effects may be experienced depend on the ambient
concentration observed in the area (as influenced by emissions rates,
meteorological conditions, and terrain); the frequency and duration
of exposures; characteristics of exposed individuals (genetics,
age, preexisting health conditions, and lifestyle), which vary significantly
with the population; and pollutant-specific characteristics (toxicity,
half-life in the environment, bioaccumulation, and persistence).
The US EPA recognizes that health risks are significantly reduced
at landfills that collect and control landfill gas.
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