SOURCES OF METALS IN MUNICIPAL INCINERATOR EMISSIONS

Data from the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, and the University of Maryland on metal concentrations in municipal solid waste and in incinerator residues have been examined in three different ways to distinguish between combustible and noncombustible sources of the metals in the bottom ash, fly ash, and atmospheric particles from a municipal incinerator. Silver, Cd, Cr, Mn, Pb, Sn, and Zn were found to be derived from the noncombustible components of refuse as well as from the combustibles. Eight of the other 13 metals examined may also have significant noncombustible sources. Separation of the combustible components of municipal solid waste prior to use as a fuel should reduce the concentrations of these metals in the effluent streams from combustion processes. © 1979, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.