Greta Jimenez
The placement of incinerators in the United States disproportionately affects marginalized communities, with nearly 80% of incinerators located in low-income communities and/or communities of color. This pattern of environmental injustice results in these communities bearing the brunt of pollution and its associated health risks, including asthma, heart disease, miscarriage, and lung disease. Hazardous waste incinerators, identified by blue dots on designated maps, are scattered across the country, with a concentration in the eastern states. As incinerators approach the end of their lifespans, cities face a pivotal choice: continue investing in polluting incinerators or embrace sustainable alternatives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of incinerators in the US | 73 |
| Percentage located within three miles of low-income and minority neighbourhoods | 79% |
| Total number of people living within three miles of an incinerator | 4.4 million |
| Number of people living close to the top 12 incinerators (measured in terms of pollutant emissions) | 1.6 million |
| Number of facilities permitted to incinerate hazardous waste | 22 |
| Number of facilities with a Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) permit to incinerate PCB-contaminated materials | 3 |
| Types of incinerators | Hazardous waste combustor, Large and small municipal waste combustor, Hospital/medical/infectious waste incinerator, Commercial and industrial solid waste incinerator |
| Impact on communities | Health problems such as asthma, heart disease, miscarriage, stillbirth, kidney disease, high blood pressure, and lung disease |
| Alternative solutions | Zero-waste solutions, recycling infrastructure, composting programs |
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What You'll Learn
Incinerators near vulnerable communities
Incinerators are often located near vulnerable communities in the United States, with nearly 80% of incinerators found in marginalized, low-income communities and/or communities of colour. This pattern of environmental injustice exposes these communities to a range of health problems.
Research by the Tishman Environment and Design Center at New York City's New School reveals that 79% of the 73 incinerators in the US are within three miles of low-income and minority neighbourhoods. This means that approximately 4.4 million people across the country live within a three-mile radius of an incinerator, with 1.6 million of those living near the top 12 incinerators that emit harmful pollutants such as lead, particulate matter, mercury, and nitrous oxide.
The burning of household and commercial waste releases pollutants that contribute to health issues such as asthma, heart disease, and cancer. The cumulative impact of pollution from other industrial sources in these communities is often overlooked by regulators when setting emissions regulations. Additionally, incinerators built decades ago often lacked proper materials separation, risking the health of workers and the environment due to inadequate gas cleaning and combustion control.
The placement of incinerators near vulnerable communities has led to devastating consequences, including increased rates of asthma, crime, fires, and business losses. Community advocates have called for improvements or removals of incinerator technology, citing specific concerns such as high levels of nitrogen dioxide. The report by the Tishman Center also highlights the need for real-time pollution data and collaborative efforts to address the health impacts of incineration.
While incinerators may provide a solution for waste management, the potential health and environmental risks associated with them, especially in vulnerable communities, cannot be ignored. Cities are now facing decisions about whether to invest in new incinerators or transition to more sustainable systems that prioritize public health and cost efficiency.
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Health risks of incinerators
The burning of waste can release a range of pollutants, including mercury, lead, and small particles of soot. These emissions are linked to a host of health issues, including asthma, heart disease, and cancer. The health risks are not limited to those who live near incinerators but also extend to the workers operating these facilities.
The placement of incinerators in the United States often reflects a pattern of environmental injustice, with a disproportionate number located near low-income communities, communities of color, and minority neighborhoods. Research reveals that 79% of the 73 incinerators in the US are situated within three miles of such areas, impacting approximately 4.4 million people. Of these, 1.6 million reside close to the top 12 polluting incinerators, bearing the brunt of emissions of lead, particulate matter, mercury, and nitrous oxide.
The health risks associated with incinerators are influenced by various factors, including the age and operational standards of the facilities. Older or poorly run incinerators are more likely to pose significant health risks compared to newer, well-managed ones. The cumulative impact of multiple incinerators in a region and the potential synergistic effects of the chemicals they emit can also affect the overall health risks.
Regulatory bodies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) play a crucial role in mitigating these health risks. The EPA has developed standards and regulations under the Clean Air Act (CAA) and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) to limit atmospheric concentrations of six key pollutants (carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particulate matter, and sulfur dioxide) and control emissions of 188 air toxics, also known as hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). However, the effectiveness of these regulations depends on consistent enforcement and coordination between agencies.
Despite regulatory efforts, concerns remain about the potential health risks associated with incinerators. The release of toxic substances due to equipment malfunctions, changes in waste feedstock, or poor management can have unintended consequences. Additionally, the breakdown of equipment or operational issues can lead to uncontrolled emissions, exacerbating the health risks for nearby residents and workers.
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Hazardous waste incinerators
Hazardous waste coded as D exhibits ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity as defined in 40 CFR 261.20 - 261.24. Wastes coded as F, K, P, and U are classified and defined in 40 CFR 261.30 - 261.35. RCRA permits prohibit plants from accepting certain wastes, including radioactive materials, Class A or B explosives, shock-sensitive chemicals, gas or liquids under pressure, biologically infectious agents, and wastes containing PCBs greater than 50 mg/kg without a TSCA permit.
The placement of incinerators in the United States has been a source of concern for environmental justice advocates. Research by the Tishman Environment and Design Center at New York City's New School found that 79% of the 73 incinerators across the US are located within three miles of low-income and minority neighbourhoods. This pattern of environmental injustice means that communities of colour are far more likely to be housed next to sources of pollution, such as power plants, highways, landfills, and other industrial sites, than their white counterparts.
The burning of waste can release pollutants such as mercury, lead, and small particles of soot, which are linked to health problems including asthma and heart disease. This has disproportionately affected low-income communities and communities of colour, with 1.6 million people living close to the top 12 incinerators measured in terms of pollutant emissions. These incinerators emit pollutants such as lead, particulate matter, mercury, and nitrous oxide.
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Commercial waste combustors
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed a map of commercial waste combustors to help law enforcement agencies incinerate collected household pharmaceuticals. These incinerators are used to destroy household pharmaceuticals to meet the Drug Enforcement Administration's non-retrievable standard. The map also helps law enforcement determine whether it is more cost-effective to drive collected pharmaceuticals to a combustor or to ship them to a DEA-registered reverse distributor.
The EPA has established New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) and Emission Guidelines (EG) for Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Incineration Units (CISWI). These standards and guidelines aim to reduce air pollution from CISWI units by limiting emissions of nine air pollutants: particulate matter, carbon monoxide, dioxins/furans, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrogen chloride, lead, mercury, and cadmium. The EPA also regulates municipal waste combustors to ensure their emissions do not pose significant risks to public health or the environment. For example, facilities in Massachusetts are required to submit Material Separation Plans to summarise how they will prevent mercury-containing items from entering their facilities.
Despite these regulations, incinerators in the US continue to contribute to environmental injustice. A report by the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) found that 79% of the 73 incinerators in the US are located within three miles of low-income communities and communities of colour. This pattern of placing sources of pollution, such as power plants and highways, in proximity to minority neighbourhoods, has been recognised as a well-established form of environmental racism. The report also highlighted the health risks associated with toxic air emissions from incinerators, including pollutants linked to asthma, heart disease, and cancer.
In response to the report, some have argued for the need for preventative measures, even in the absence of conclusive scientific evidence on the health impacts of incineration. The report's authors recommended transitioning to a sustainable system that prioritises public health and cost savings over the continued reliance on incinerators. However, incinerator operators contend that their facilities offer sustainable non-landfill solutions and express confidence in the future of the industry.
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The future of incinerators
The report also highlights the aging infrastructure of these incinerators, with many nearing the end of their 30-year lifespans and becoming increasingly costly to maintain. This, coupled with community activism, tougher legislation, and increasing awareness of the dangers of incineration, is leading to a decline in the industry. Cities are now presented with an opportunity to transition to a more sustainable future that focuses on reducing waste rather than burning it.
However, some stakeholders in the Waste-to-Energy (WTE) industry disagree with this assessment. They point to the increasing market demand for "sustainable non-landfill solutions" and the early signs of interest from clients in adding new domestic Energy from Waste (EfW) capacity. The WTE industry also argues that the lack of conclusive scientific evidence on the health impacts of incineration should not be a reason to halt its operations.
Despite this, the trend towards reducing waste and increasing recycling and reuse practices, coupled with stricter environmental regulations, seems to indicate a future where incineration plays a diminished role in waste management and energy recovery. The transition away from incinerators is further supported by advancements in waste-to-energy technologies, such as refuse-derived fuel systems, which can help reduce the volume of waste sent to landfills and recover energy more efficiently.
In summary, the future of incinerators in the US is likely to be characterised by a gradual decline in the number of facilities, stricter regulations, and increased community opposition. The transition towards more sustainable waste management practices and alternative waste-to-energy technologies will shape the landscape of waste management and energy recovery in the country.
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Frequently asked questions
A report by the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) found that 79% of the 73 incinerators in the USA are located in low-income communities and/or communities of colour.
Living near a polluting incinerator can have serious health consequences. The emission of toxic pollutants such as mercury, lead, and small particles of soot is linked to health problems including asthma and heart disease, as well as miscarriage and lung disease.
Many cities are moving away from trash incineration and towards zero-waste solutions, investing in recycling infrastructure and composting programs. However, some incinerator companies, such as Covanta, continue to highlight the market demand for "sustainable non-landfill solutions".
