National and provincial dioxin emissions from municipal solid waste incineration in China

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 851; p. 158128
• Main Authors: Wei, Junxiao, Li, Huan, Liu, Jianguo, Zhong, Rigang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 10.12.2022
• Subjects: Dioxins; Emission factor; Monte Carlo simulation; Municipal solid waste incineration; Dioxins; Emission factor; Municipal solid waste incineration; Monte Carlo simulation
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158128

China presently lacks an up-to-date regional inventory of dioxin emissions from municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI), although MSWI has grown rapidly in recent decades. Based on dioxin concentrations from the official website for governments and enterprises, we created an inventory of dioxin emissions from 29 areas in mainland China. MSWI released a total of 22.56 g I-TEQ of dioxins in 2020. According to Monte Carlo simulation, the dioxin emissions with 95 %, 75 %, and 50 % certainty are 17.03–31.62, 19.24–27.71, and 20.43–25.96 g I-TEQ, respectively. Notably, Guangdong, Zhejiang, and Jiangsu provinces accounted for 38.8 %. The primary regions with considerable dioxin emission per capita and density are Zhejiang and Shanghai. Furthermore, Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces are the top two regions in terms of dioxin emissions per unit of billion gross domestic product. These indicators were affected significantly by the quantity of MSW generated and incinerated (MSWGI), capacity and operating years of incinerators, and degrees of air pollution control devices (APCDs). Dioxin emission factors (EFs) were about 100 times lower in 2020 than in 2004. Note, however, that there is a gap in dioxin EFs between China and European nations. We have proposed that MSW source classification, stable operation conditions of incinerators and APCDs, categories of incinerators selection, and technological upgrading should be China's major measures to curb dioxin emissions. Moreover, with the future increment in the quantity of MSWGI, it is essential to completely reinvent the dioxin monitoring program. [Display omitted] •Created up-to-date regional inventory of dioxin emissions from MSWI•MSWI released a total of 22.56 g I-TEQ of dioxins in 2020.•Guangdong, Zhejiang, and Jiangsu account for 38.8 % of dioxin emissions.•MSW classification and innovation are beneficial for dioxin emission reduction.