Scholarlink

<p>The rapid population growth in Dhaka, currently surpassing 22&#xa0;million residents, has seriously challenged the city’s ability for sustainable municipal solid waste (MSW) management. Open MSW burning is a common disposal practice which releases toxic pollutants that harm the environment and public health. This study evaluates toxic emissions and related health risks from MSW burning in Dhaka for the first time through a combined analysis of heavy metals, water-soluble inorganic ions, and levoglucosan. MSW samples were collected from 30 locations across Dhaka during March to April 2025 (summer season). The samples were burned in a controlled steel chamber designed to replicate real-world open-burning circumstances through natural airflow. Emissions were captured on quartz filter papers and analyzed for heavy metals, water-soluble inorganic ions, and levoglucosan using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), ion chromatography (IC), and UV-visible spectroscopy, respectively. Health risks for adults and children were evaluated using carcinogenic risk (CR), lifetime carcinogenic risk (LCR), and non-carcinogenic hazard index calculated from inhalation exposure methods. The average concentrations of carcinogenic heavy metals such as Cr, Ni, Cd, and Pb were found to be 26.96 ± 25.05, 10.75 ± 12.69, 12.23 ± 20.94, and 28.36 ± 17.91&#xa0;µg m<sup>− 3</sup>, respectively. The evaluated CR value of these metals exceeds the safety threshold recommended by WHO and those observed in other South Asian cities that operate open waste burning. The average levoglucosan concentration (20.69 ± 19.73&#xa0;µg m⁻³) showed substantial variation connected to waste composition and confirmed a substantial biomass contribution within mixed waste collections. The measured pollutant concentrations varied site-to-site significantly that indicates the differences in local waste composition and burning practices. The calculated LCR values suggest higher long-term health risks linked to persistent exposure to emissions from MSW burning. This risk assessment model indicates that the CR for heavy metals and the LCR for levoglucosan correspond to inhalation exposure pathways associated with carcinogenic risks. The assessment framework established in this study is applicable in other regions where open burning of municipal solid waste is common. These findings emphasize the urgent need for effective regulatory control and improved waste management strategies to reduce pollutant exposure and protect public health in urban Bangladesh.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Assessment of heavy metals and levoglucosan emissions from municipal solid waste burning in Dhaka and its impact on human health

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月26日

查看全文
  • Nafis Ibtida Sami,
  • Safiqul Islam,
  • Zubayer Islam,
  • Shahid Uz Zaman,
  • Shatabdi Roy,
  • Mohammad Moniruzzaman,
  • Abdus Salam

摘要

The rapid population growth in Dhaka, currently surpassing 22 million residents, has seriously challenged the city’s ability for sustainable municipal solid waste (MSW) management. Open MSW burning is a common disposal practice which releases toxic pollutants that harm the environment and public health. This study evaluates toxic emissions and related health risks from MSW burning in Dhaka for the first time through a combined analysis of heavy metals, water-soluble inorganic ions, and levoglucosan. MSW samples were collected from 30 locations across Dhaka during March to April 2025 (summer season). The samples were burned in a controlled steel chamber designed to replicate real-world open-burning circumstances through natural airflow. Emissions were captured on quartz filter papers and analyzed for heavy metals, water-soluble inorganic ions, and levoglucosan using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), ion chromatography (IC), and UV-visible spectroscopy, respectively. Health risks for adults and children were evaluated using carcinogenic risk (CR), lifetime carcinogenic risk (LCR), and non-carcinogenic hazard index calculated from inhalation exposure methods. The average concentrations of carcinogenic heavy metals such as Cr, Ni, Cd, and Pb were found to be 26.96 ± 25.05, 10.75 ± 12.69, 12.23 ± 20.94, and 28.36 ± 17.91 µg m− 3, respectively. The evaluated CR value of these metals exceeds the safety threshold recommended by WHO and those observed in other South Asian cities that operate open waste burning. The average levoglucosan concentration (20.69 ± 19.73 µg m⁻³) showed substantial variation connected to waste composition and confirmed a substantial biomass contribution within mixed waste collections. The measured pollutant concentrations varied site-to-site significantly that indicates the differences in local waste composition and burning practices. The calculated LCR values suggest higher long-term health risks linked to persistent exposure to emissions from MSW burning. This risk assessment model indicates that the CR for heavy metals and the LCR for levoglucosan correspond to inhalation exposure pathways associated with carcinogenic risks. The assessment framework established in this study is applicable in other regions where open burning of municipal solid waste is common. These findings emphasize the urgent need for effective regulatory control and improved waste management strategies to reduce pollutant exposure and protect public health in urban Bangladesh.