Incineration is the process of disposing solid wastes through burning. When solid wastes are burned a number substances are released or emitted and some others remain as residues. The emitted materials include dioxins, organic carbon emissions, heavy metals, particulate matter and ashes.
Effects of Incineration
Exposure to these emissions cause reproductive defects, cancer and respiratory system ailment. It has also been shown that the emissions can accumulate on the leaves of food crops.
Even though the effects of these emissions in air are so hazardous, in water they form a neutral solution with the particulate matter settled at the bottom of the sea. As a result of these the effects of sea-based incineration is relatively harmless as compared to land filling as a way of waste disposal. Netherlands is highly populated therefore land filling would not be an appropriate method considering the amount of land required. In addition land-based incineration would cause a greater harm to the public. Statistics also shows that Netherlands generates electricity from the heat generated due to incineration. This is of greater benefit to the country. Aside from these deposits of heavy metals like aluminium and other metals are collected from the residues.
From the ensuing discussion it goes without say that I can strongly recommend this method to my country for waste disposal besides recycling. The most critical considerations for this method is on population, the low degree of harm associated with this method and the benefits that accrue due to it.
Before adopting this method of waste disposal, a country must have a large water body so that the sea-based incineration can be carried out far off the sea shores. The second consideration is on the country’s population. A highly populated country does not allow for land-based incineration neither does it allows land filling as waste disposal methods. Finally, the state of technology must be looked into since sea-based incineration requires sophisticated equipment for combustion and residue handling.
References
Metry, A.A. (1980). The handbook of Hazardous Waste Management. Westport, Conn., 1980. 446P.
Schieler, L and Pauze, D. (1976). Hazardous Materials. Van Nortrand Reinhold. New York, 249P.
Cheremisinoff, N. P. (1979). Industrial and Hazardous Waste Impoundment. United States laws.
