Experimental measurements of black carbon emission factors to estimate the global impact of uncontrolled burning of waste

TY - JOUR

T1 - Experimental measurements of black carbon emission factors to estimate the global impact of uncontrolled burning of waste

AU - Reyna-Bensusan, Natalia

AU - Wilson, David C.

AU - Davy, Pamela M.

AU - Fuller, Gary W.

AU - Fowler, Geoff D.

AU - Smith, Stephen R.

PY - 2019/9/15

Y1 - 2019/9/15

N2 - Open burning is a widely practiced method of solid waste disposal in many regions of the world and represents a significant source of air pollution. Black carbon (BC) is a particularly serious air pollutant emitted from the uncontrolled burning of waste in open fires because it has a global warming potential (GWP) up to 5000 times greater than carbon dioxide (CO2) and is also linked to detrimental health impacts. However, few quantitative measurements of BC from open burning have been completed to establish the extent and impacts of this emission source on the environment. Emission factors (EFs) for BC from burning mixed solid waste samples were measured in the laboratory based on waste compositions in a representative developing country (Mexico). Black carbon EFs were also derived for individual waste types, including: green waste, different types of plastics, textiles and paper and cardboard. Individual waste BC EFs were combined using waste composition data from different areas of the world to estimate regional and global BC emissions from this source. The results demonstrated that BC emissions from open burning of waste have a significant climate impact, equivalent to 2–10% of global CO2Eq emissions. Global BC CO2Eq emissions from burning waste are 2–8 times larger compared to methane (CH4) CO2Eq emissions arising from the decomposition of equivalent amounts of combustible biodegradable waste disposed at dumpsites. Action to reduce open burning of waste would have a significant and immediate benefit to improving air quality and reducing the potential impact on climate change.

AB - Open burning is a widely practiced method of solid waste disposal in many regions of the world and represents a significant source of air pollution. Black carbon (BC) is a particularly serious air pollutant emitted from the uncontrolled burning of waste in open fires because it has a global warming potential (GWP) up to 5000 times greater than carbon dioxide (CO2) and is also linked to detrimental health impacts. However, few quantitative measurements of BC from open burning have been completed to establish the extent and impacts of this emission source on the environment. Emission factors (EFs) for BC from burning mixed solid waste samples were measured in the laboratory based on waste compositions in a representative developing country (Mexico). Black carbon EFs were also derived for individual waste types, including: green waste, different types of plastics, textiles and paper and cardboard. Individual waste BC EFs were combined using waste composition data from different areas of the world to estimate regional and global BC emissions from this source. The results demonstrated that BC emissions from open burning of waste have a significant climate impact, equivalent to 2–10% of global CO2Eq emissions. Global BC CO2Eq emissions from burning waste are 2–8 times larger compared to methane (CH4) CO2Eq emissions arising from the decomposition of equivalent amounts of combustible biodegradable waste disposed at dumpsites. Action to reduce open burning of waste would have a significant and immediate benefit to improving air quality and reducing the potential impact on climate change.

KW - Air pollution

KW - Black carbon

KW - Climate change

KW - Emission factors

KW - Open burning

KW - Waste

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85068419675&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2019.06.047

DO - 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2019.06.047

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85068419675

SN - 1352-2310

VL - 213

SP - 629

EP - 639

JO - ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT

JF - ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT

ER -