Air Emission from Msw Combustible Facilities
Air Emissions from MSW Combustion Facilities
Comparison with emissions from other sources
History of changes over time from MSW combustion facilities and other sources
Air toxics emissions
Air toxics impacts
Steps EPA is taking to make sure MSW combustion facilities stay safe
Dioxins
Greenhouse Gases (GHGs)
Comparison with emissions from other sources
The graphs below compare the emissions of municipal solid waste (MSW) combustors (also called Waste to Energy plants) emissions to emissions from other sources like:
Coal and natural gas fired power plants (Fossil Fuel Electricity Generators);
Iron and Steel Mills;
Cement Manufacturers;
Wildfires;
Chemical Manufacturing;
Waste Disposal via Uncontrolled or Open Burning; and
Diesel and Gasoline Vehicle Emissions.
These graphs are based on EPA’s 2005 National Emissions Inventory data. More information is available at EPA’s Clearinghouse for Inventories and Emissions. On-road vehicle emissions (from cars, trucks, etc.) are responsible for most of the volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, and hazardous air pollutants generated. Of these sources, fossil fuel electricity generators are responsible for most of the mercury and particulate matter generated.
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History of changes over time from MSW combustion facilities and other sources
In 1990, EPA developed Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) standards under the Clean Air Act for municipal solid waste (MSW) combustors. Emissions from MSW combustion facilities decreased by a factor of twenty after the MACT controls were put in place. The table below shows emission trends from 1990-2005 based on available data from the National Emissions Inventories. Total emissions of hazardous air pollutants have dropped more than 94 percent in this time period from nearly 58,000 tons in 1990 to about 3,300
Comparison with emissions from other sources
History of changes over time from MSW combustion facilities and other sources
Air toxics emissions
Air toxics impacts
Steps EPA is taking to make sure MSW combustion facilities stay safe
Dioxins
Greenhouse Gases (GHGs)
Comparison with emissions from other sources
The graphs below compare the emissions of municipal solid waste (MSW) combustors (also called Waste to Energy plants) emissions to emissions from other sources like:
Coal and natural gas fired power plants (Fossil Fuel Electricity Generators);
Iron and Steel Mills;
Cement Manufacturers;
Wildfires;
Chemical Manufacturing;
Waste Disposal via Uncontrolled or Open Burning; and
Diesel and Gasoline Vehicle Emissions.
These graphs are based on EPA’s 2005 National Emissions Inventory data. More information is available at EPA’s Clearinghouse for Inventories and Emissions. On-road vehicle emissions (from cars, trucks, etc.) are responsible for most of the volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, and hazardous air pollutants generated. Of these sources, fossil fuel electricity generators are responsible for most of the mercury and particulate matter generated.
Text Version
Text Version
Text Version
Top of Page
Text Version
Text Version
Text Version
Top of Page
History of changes over time from MSW combustion facilities and other sources
In 1990, EPA developed Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) standards under the Clean Air Act for municipal solid waste (MSW) combustors. Emissions from MSW combustion facilities decreased by a factor of twenty after the MACT controls were put in place. The table below shows emission trends from 1990-2005 based on available data from the National Emissions Inventories. Total emissions of hazardous air pollutants have dropped more than 94 percent in this time period from nearly 58,000 tons in 1990 to about 3,300