Identification of impacts to human health and the environment in the process of blending waste for co-processing

Abstract

Blending is an activity intended for processing and preparing waste in the form of blends that are destined for co-processing in cement industries. This study aimed to identify the impacts generated in the various stages of blending. Through Life Cycle Assessment, impacts were estimated on an average production profile of 30,650 t/year of blends. The system boundary approach was "gate to gate" and the functional unit 1 t of blends. The impact assessment methodologies employed were ReCiPe and Impact 2002+. The results show that by the ReCiPe method, Human Toxicity was responsible for 53% of the total impact, caused by the emission of metals such as selenium, manganese, arsenic, and barium. For the Impact 2002+ method, Inorganic Inhalables had the highest total impact (51.8%) caused mainly by nitrogen oxides. It is concluded that the blending has a greater impact on human health, especially on the health of workers who suffer from higher exposure. It is recommended that the environmental and labor control agencies reevaluate the activity, prioritizing process automation studies, epidemiological studies, and continuing the investigation of the impacts of burning the blends in the clinker kilns in a "cradle to gate" approach.